Step one: CLEAN the boot. This is the most important step in my opinion because without a clean boot the oils will not penetrate. I first remove the laces then brush the boot with an old horsehair brush which will typically clean the boot unless heavily soiled, and in that case just use a small amount of water on a piece of old cut up t-shirt to clean it.

Step two: Using your index and middle finger, scoop out a healthy sized glob of the mink oil and apply it to the boot, leaving little daubs all over the boot.

Step three: Take another piece of clean, cut up t-shirt, and wrap it around your index and middle finger. Start working the daubs into the leather paying special attention to the seams. You still want to be able to see the yellowish paste in the seams when you're done, but should be rather colorless and hazy on the rest of the boot. Remember, you're going for a rather thick coat your first go around.

Step four: Once a liberal coat of mink oil has been applied, place boots on a baking sheet or something similar in a 160 - 170 degree oven, with the oven rack only as far down as needed to accommodate boot height. Bake for 15 - 25 minutes (depends on how much oil you used). WATCH the boots and once they have become glossy and smooth in appearance take them out.

Step five: After removing boots from the oven take the same rag you used to apply the first coat and start buffing using small circular motions. You should start to see only a small amount of haze after you're done.

Step six: Using only a horsehair brush, apply the final polish using light but quick strokes until you see no more haze. Remember you're not going for a mirror polish here, only a "just bought" look.

Step seven: Repeat steps three through six, only this time just use your polish rag to apply the oil, you're not looking to put another heavy coat on the boot. I find that 3 cycles of this technique will typically last a season or more of normal wear and tear.

NOTE: You may notice some flaking where you bend your toes the first time you wear your newly protected boots, this is normal and can easliy be remedied with a few light strokes with your horsehair brush. This in no way affects the water repellancy. You can also use this on nylon sided boots, but just use a light coat in these areas as nylon is already naturally water resistant and will result in a shinier, smoother nylon that will still be able to breathe.