Save Your Gear

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Fixing Torn Brush Pants,
5.
Ghaps or Vests
Overlap the cloth ends and stitch. Keep your stitches
closetogether,so they won't open up or unravel.Tie off
the endsand trim.
Tossa stitchkit in your gearbag for eveningrepairsat camp.
Huntingvests,jackets,or shirtsmight needwork as well.
1. Buy a curved leather-stitching needle. Curved needles
give you the leverageto get throughthick materials.They
let you seearoundyour fingersso you can get close,tight
stitches.Largeeyesaccommodatethicker thread. A pack
of 4 various-sizedneedlescost me $9.
) Selecta thread. I useold 12- or 20-poundbraidedDacronfly line backing,becauseit lies neatly,won't break
when you pull it tight and doesn'trot when it getswet.
Old non-stretchmonofilamentlines, like PowerPro,work
well, too.
3. Tirrn the lower pant/chap leg inside out. Exposed
threadwill abradeeasierthan unexposedthread,so sew
from the inside.
Flatten the torn fabric prior to sewing. Cloth with a cut
edgerolls, and you'll want as much materialas possible.
Reproofing Waxed Gotton
Watchingsomeprofessionalwaxed-cottonreproofersone time
at a sportsman'sshow,I was greenwith envy at how fast they
ripped throughcoat after coat followed by chapsand waxedcotton pants. When I rewax my Filsonjacket or chapsit more
closelyresemblesa World WrestlingFederationgrudgematch.
Still, hereare a coupleof easytricks they usedthat makethe
processbearable.
1. Heat the fabric before you wax. Professionals
usea
28
THE UPLAND ALMANA(
table that is heatedto 180 degrees,but you can warm the
garmentin the sun,on a heateror, if you're vigilant, in an
oven. It's easierto apply wax to a warm garment.
Get the wax liquid. If it's in a can,boil somewater,stick
the can in the boiling water with the lid on, and let it sit
until it is fluid. If the wax startsto get solid, take a break
and reheat.
3. Use reasonableamounts of wax. If you haven't waxed
your gearin a while, you shouldresistthe temptationto
slatherit on. Lighter, more regularapplicationsare best.
The cotton can absorbonly so much wax and the excess
stayson the surface. (You won't make friends with anyone
who owns the chairyou're sittingon, either.)
4. Make a big cloth applicator. Cur a l0-inch wide by
l5-inch-long sectionof an old T:shirt, fold it in half and
roll it up. Tie it off so it doesn'tunravel. It's easyto grip
and will covermore inchesif you lay it down. It will get
into tight areasif you hold it upright,as well.
Hang to Dry. When you're finishedwith the rewaxing
process,hang thejacket or chapsin the sun or hit them
with a blow drier. The last heat stepwill really make the
wax sink in to the cotton.
I(eeping Your Feet Happy
No one going swimming minds wet feet. Bird hunterswho
coverlots of ground,though,despisesoggy socksand the
accompanyingblisters. Keepingyour boots in condition makes
for happyfeet, and that meansyou can log many miles through
good bird cover.
Rubber or Neoprene Boots: Theseboots are great for hunting
river bottoms,but the thicketshunterstravel throughto get there
canrip them to shreds.Whetherit is a puncturefrom a stick or
a slashgainedfrom crossinga barbed-wirefence,a quick repair
savesthe dav.
Material
l. Smallpouchor zip-lockbag
2. Tubeof Aquaseal
3. Bottle of Cotol-240
4. Alcohol swabs
Purpose
Storage
Gluing
Accelerator
Cleaningareato
be patched
5. Smallbristlebrushesor
Spreading
coffee stirrers
Aquaseal
6. Woman'snvlons
Flexible patch
material
7. Knife or straight-edgerazorblade Cutting patch or nylon
8. Rubberglove
Keeping fingersfrom
sticking
9. Lighter
Melting Neoprene
10. Maskingtape
Holding cut together
Technique
1. Cleanthe areaaroundthe cut with an alcohol swab.
2. Closethe tear with a strip of maskingtapeon the insideof
your boots.
3. Cut a patchfrom a nylon stockingto cover the hole.
4. Mix I part Cotol -240 acceleratorwith 3 to 4 parts Aquaseal
with a coffee stirrer or brush.
5. Spreadmixturearoundthe tear in your waders. Extendthe
glue l/3 of an inch beyondthe size of the patch.
AUTUMN2OO8
6.
Place patch in the Cotol-24)/Aquasealmixture and lay I
Apply a light additionalcoar of glue on rop of rhe parch
and lay flat to dry.
If you wear neoprenebootsand are in a pinch, you can usea
lighter and a stick. Melt the neoprenewith the lighter and spr
the molten rubberaroundthe cut with a stick.
Leather Boots:
While the ancientEgyptiansusedbeeswax,thereare a host of
waxesto usefor waterproofingyour leatherboots. Goosegre
beargrease,mink oil, neats-footoil (madefrom boiled anima
hooves)lanolin,petroleumjelly, mineraloil, or pitch and pine
all have their placesin boot care. Thesewaxesare similar in t.
they occupy spaceon the leather'ssurfaceto keep waterfrom
enteringthe naturalhide.
Material
l. Brush
2. Detergent
3. Wax
Purpose
Cleansleather
Cleansleather.
Conditionsand waterproo
waxed leather
Technique:
1. Clean boots. Removelacesand usea brushand deterg
to removeany dirt, grime, or factory coatings.
2. Dry boots at room temperature. If they are thoroughl
soakedfrom going in abovethe top, two daysor longer
might be necessary.
3. Heat wax to make it soft. Waxestypically melt around
165 degrees.Leave a jar next to a window or boil water
a pot, let it cool for a bit, and drop thejar in for 5 minute
4. Apply with a cloth. Dip a cotton cloth inro the wax
and spreada light coat of wax over the entireboot. Pay
particularattentionaroundstitchesfor they might be pro
to leaks.
5. Drying the wax. Set the boots in the sun or hit them wi
a hair dryer to softenthe wax a secondtime. The wax
soaksdeeply into the leather.Wipe down with a clean
cloth and go huntin'.
*.d''