Repair 

Shoe repair at home. How and with what can you seal rubber boots at the seam at home? Is it possible to seal the soles of these boots? How to seal rubber boots - an alternative

Picking shoes that will be comfortable is not so simple task. You need to get used to the new pair, spread it, and after that the legs can feel comfortable even during long walks. It is all the more insulting when a beloved couple becomes unusable, and because of the defects that have appeared, you have to part with it. There is no need to rush: almost everyone can repair shoes with their own hands, thereby extending the life of comfortable old shoes.

Why won't the shoemaker help?

Shoes problems happen very often, even with brand new pairs. Even very expensive or high-quality boots can leak or wear out. Many will say: "Why invent and do something with your own hands? Shoe repair can be done by a shoemaker, of which there are a lot now." Yes, that's right: small stalls that provide shoe repair services are quite common. But they may not always be able to help you.

Very often shoemakers do not want to take on small work. They will spend a lot of time and effort, but they will not be able to receive a large reward for this. It is better to take on difficult work, after which high pay will follow. Therefore, bringing an old broken pair, you can hear that it is beyond repair. Or the cost of services will be so high that you yourself will decide to throw out the old shoes and buy new ones.

This problem is solved simply: it is not difficult to do shoe repair with your own hands, but it is important to know some of the subtleties of this process.

most popular repair

Most often, those parts of the shoe that are subject to the greatest wear and tear are unusable: soles, soles, heels. Also, very often shoes simply stick out, especially after contact with water.

In order to repair your favorite pair on your own, you need to buy materials for repairing shoes in advance. You will definitely need:

  • good glue;
  • acetone or gasoline;
  • sandpaper;
  • polyurethane;
  • a sharp knife, better than a shoe knife.

With this simple set, you can easily eliminate the most popular defects. If the shoes are stuck, the joints should be well degreased with acetone or gasoline and, if necessary, rubbed with sandpaper. After that, glue the surface well, leaving the glue to dry for at least a day.

If you often have to change heels for shoes, you do not need to overpay the shoemaker. With the help of polyurethane and a shoe knife, you can make new heels yourself, fixing them on the sole with glue or shoe nails.

What to do if the shoes sagged?

Very often, the workshop refuses to repair shoes in which the sole has sunk inside. Square cells protrude under the insole, the heel falls through, and it becomes impossible to walk in such shoes. What to do?

Do-it-yourself shoe repair will help to easily eliminate this defect and allow you to continue wearing your favorite pair. It is not difficult to do this: from old rubber beach slippers, you need to cut square or rectangular shape. They should be slightly larger than the cells on the sole of a leaky pair.

The resulting sticks just need to be firmly inserted into the holes on the sole, and then glue the insole into place. Such a repair will not allow shoes to sag, and it will be more comfortable to walk in it long time.

Crack in the sole: is there a way out?

Shoes with a cracked sole are sent straight to the landfill. Do not rush to do this, because it can be repaired with the help of the old one. The place of the crack must be cleaned with sandpaper and degreased. The dimensions of the fracture itself should be measured and a strip 15 mm larger should be cut out of the rubber chamber. The cracked sole must be bent in such a way that the crack opens as much as possible, and the side parts of the fracture must be smeared with glue.

After the surface dries a little in the expanded position, a cut-out strip bent in half from the chamber should be applied to the crack site and pressed tightly against the glued sidewalls. Only now the sole can be straightened and put to dry for at least 24 hours, preferably under load.

Do not rush to throw away your favorite boots, even if the shoemaker said that they are not subject to resuscitation. Try to fix them with your own hands, and then the shoes will serve you for more than one year!

Rubber boots are shoes that are necessary not only for summer cottages, but also for the city. They protect from bad weather and dirt. But they have one drawback - any nail or piece of glass is enough for the shoes to become unusable. Of course, the easiest way would be to simply take the shoes for repair, while laying out a tidy sum, but here we also face a problem: not all shoe shops undertake to glue rubber boots because they don't know how to do it.

Seal rubber boots at home can be very difficult. This can be confirmed by everyone who has ever tried to do this. The fact is that the usual glue that we use to glue ordinary shoes will not work for rubber boots. It does not matter if you want to seal the seam, the sole or any other part of the boot.

To seal rubber boots effectively, you need to know where the damage is. Rubber is a material that is very easy to pierce with a sharp object. You can simply step on glass or a sharp brick so that a through hole forms in the sole. This is a very unpleasant phenomenon, as water will rapidly accumulate in the shoes. But if we find damage, we can fix it at home.

And there are several methods by which this can be done. Let's take a closer look at how to seal rubber boots.

Tips before gluing boots

In order for the repair to be successful, and the boots to last for a very long time, you need to know the following:

Before repair, rubber shoes must be very thoroughly cleaned, washed and dried.
- The patch can be cut from a tire or old rubber boots.
- It is better to carefully process the patch from the wrong side with sandpaper or a file to make the surface rough for better adhesion of the glue.
- It is best to degrease the surface of the shoe with acetone or a solvent.
- Glue must be chosen special, on which it is necessarily indicated, for example, “shoe” or “rubber”.
- Before repairing rubber boots, it is imperative to read the instructions from the adhesive manufacturer in order to do everything correctly.
- It is best to smear the patch and the place of gluing with special glue several times, after waiting until the first layer dries a little.
- When gluing the surfaces, it is necessary to press very strongly against each other or tap on the place of gluing with a hammer.
- The patch on the boot can be easily disguised with sandpaper.

4 ways to seal rubber boots

Method 1. You can stick boots special glue . It can be purchased in shops for hunters and fishermen. But in order to get the right glue, you need to know what exactly the shoes are made of. The fact is that for shoes made of EVA or polyurethane, different adhesives are needed.

The seller can help you purchase the necessary glue by giving advice. Further, everything is simple - you need to sand and degrease part of the boot and stick a patch. If the shoes are made of porous material, then you can glue it without using a patch. The edges at the site of the cut should simply be turned out, generously smeared with glue and pressed against each other.

Method 2. For this method, you will need a regular bicycle repair kit . It contains patches on special protective films, sandpaper and, of course, glue. Clean the desired place on the shoes with sandpaper and thoroughly degrease. Further, having previously removed the film from the bookmark, it is necessary to apply glue to it and press the patch to the hole. You can use shoes almost immediately, but it is better to wait at least 12 hours.

The only drawback of the method is the unaesthetic appearance of the shoes after the repair. If the hole appeared not on the top, but on the sole, the gluing technology does not change. You just need to make the surface smooth and even, because usually the sole on such shoes is quite embossed. This is possible with grinding machine. And then stick a patch on this place.

But it is important to know that such a patch will not last long, especially if the sole of the boots comes into contact with a rough and hard surface very often. Therefore, it is better to wear such boots, for example, for fishing. Well, if the sole breaks again, the gluing procedure will need to be repeated.

Method 3. In order to seal women's boots without using patches, you need to purchase adhesive sealant . You can do this at any auto shop. First you need to degrease the place of gluing, and then grease the torn edges with glue and press them together. If you do everything carefully, then the boots will look like new.

Method 4. This method of repairing rubber shoes is also called "hot" method . It is not difficult, but requires certain skills and, most importantly, a vulcanizer. As a patch, rubber pre-soaked in gasoline is used. It is placed on the hole in the boot and clamped with a vulcanizer. The device must be turned on for 20-30 minutes, then turned off and cool. Only after it has cooled down, you can remove the press.

Do not despair if your favorite rubber boots are suddenly torn. It is enough to make a little effort and the repaired boots will be no different from new shoes. You can use sealed boots a day after the patch has been applied. But if there is no time to wait, then you can walk in them in an hour.

How to care for boots

Rubber boots need to be properly cared for. And then you do not have to resort to their frequent repairs. After all, even the high quality that the manufacturer guarantees does not always mean the safety of shoes.

Rubber boots need to be cleaned properly. They are best washed with a solution of glycerin and water. In this case, the boots should be wiped with a soft cloth and dried frequently so that the fungus does not appear.

Wet rubber boots should not be dried with a hair dryer or battery. Shoes need to dry naturally.

Rubber shoes are incredibly popular in the off-season. Yes, and in the gardens it is much more convenient to water and weed the beds, because no dirt and moisture are terrible. At proper care and choosing a manufacturer, such shoes will serve you for more than one year.

How and with what to seal rubber boots?

However, no one is immune from damage even to dense rubber. We offer two simple and affordable ways to seal rubber boots.

Caring for rubber boots

So that such a nuisance does not take you by surprise, you should properly care for rubber shoes. After all, even very good producers will not be able to guarantee the safety of your boots if they are not properly cared for.

First of all, learn how to properly clean. To wash rubber shoes, it is enough to take warm water, soft tissue and quite a bit of glycerin. Then appearance products will last for a long time. Make sure to keep your boots well ventilated to prevent mold growth.

After cleaning or use in very rainy weather, never put your shoes on a radiator, dryer or use a hair dryer. Dry only in a warm dry place or in a warm wind. If you purchased a model with a light or white sole, an ordinary school eraser will help make it brand new again.

How to glue rubber boots - a classic method

Even if you have taken very good care of your rubber shoes, sooner or later they can deteriorate. In such a situation, the question quite logically arises, is it possible to seal rubber boots, or will you have to go to the store for a new pair?

There is no need to panic, because it is quite possible to glue such a product. You don't even have to ask for help in repairs. From the materials and tools used, you will need glue, a solvent, a patch (it is usually cut out of old cameras from bicycles or strollers).

  1. Shoes should be thoroughly washed and dried, as discussed in the rules for the care of rubber boots.
  2. Cut out the patch to size. In addition to the cameras from bicycles, old rubber boots are quite suitable.
  3. Next, using a solvent, carefully degrease the surface of the shoe and the patch itself. Make sure that there are no pieces of cotton wool or threads from rags left on the treated area.
  4. To fix the patch, we use rubber glue such as Super Moment for rubber. If you wish, you can simply go to any nearest shoe repair point and ask the master to sell you some special glue for a nominal fee.
  5. First, we apply glue to the shoes and the patch, hold it for a while, then fix it. The exposure time is usually indicated on the tube.
  6. To keep the patch as tight as possible, it is usually tapped a little with a hammer or something similar.

How to seal rubber boots - an alternative

Sometimes the patch method is frustrating and you have to look for other ways to seal rubber boots. If you see after a while that it was not possible to close the hole, go to a sporting goods store. Many bike owners claim that more reliable way repair rubber boots, if they are torn - use a repair kit for bicycle tires.

Whichever method you choose, it is better to put on boots in a day, when the glue is completely dry and grabs well.

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EVA stands for ethylene vinyl acetate and is an environmentally friendly, durable, lightweight, resilient and elastic material. It does not absorb moisture and odors, it is easy to clean, in most cases it is used in the manufacture of shoes and has the disadvantage that it is not resistant to sharp tools, such shoes will pierce or cut even a knot if an unsuccessful step is made.

Therefore, repair is a rather urgent issue for EVA products. Universal adhesives won't fit.

How to seal rubber boots made of PVC or EVA at home

EVA boots can only be glued with specialized material.

Characteristics of the adhesive composition

Sneakers, boots or winter fishing boots made of EVA material will be glued with quality only by the material of the same name, i.e. EVA glue.

Properties:

  • waterproof;
  • does not spread;
  • able to tightly connect the gaps formed at the bend, as well as side and corner;
  • the repaired area remains almost invisible;
  • the product stays on the shoes for a long time, so that the damaged area is protected from re-damage;
  • the composition is consumed sparingly, as the manufacturer recommends applying it in a thin layer (otherwise the polymerization process is difficult);
  • inexpensive, a 15 ml tube costs about 100-120 rubles;
  • the shelf life is 24 months (2 years).

How to apply

The method of working with EVA practically does not differ from the usual one, it should only be taken into account that it is impossible to glue PVC products with a tool.

Instructions for use:

  1. Clean the areas to be joined and degrease with acetone. You can do without degreasing, but in any case, the areas to be bonded must be clean and dry.
  2. Expand or squeeze the damaged area so that the porous surface of the EVA (usually the inside of the product) is exposed. This is important because the glossy outer surface does not stick.
  3. Lubricate the porous area of ​​the cut (tear) with adhesive material and leave for three to four minutes.
  4. After that, connect the edges of the gap and press them firmly against each other.
  5. The final solidification of the product occurs after a day (24 hours).

In a similar way, it will be possible to repair, for example, Toptygin winter fishing boots. How to use the glue correctly, the manufacturer indicates on the packaging of the composition. Follow the instructions and the cut will literally disappear from the shoe.

Since it will soon get colder and snow will fall in Odessa, it's time to check the reliability of winter shoes. This is especially true for women, who find it most difficult to choose and buy boots that fit their feet. Girls know that it is possible to choose a size according to the foot without any problems, but it is already much more difficult to choose the bootleg according to the calf. Therefore, the golden hands of a beloved man will come to the rescue, who will be able to repair shoes at home and narrow the tops of his boots.

We repair shoes at home

When choosing women's winter shoes, as a rule, there are two problems: either the feet are comfortable, but the shaft is wide, or the shoes fit well, but the fingers are not comfortable. Therefore, if you liked the boots, but do not fit, since the legs dangle in them like a pencil in a glass, then you can narrow the wide shaft yourself.

Our jack-of-all-trades will share with readers how you can make boots on your foot with your own hands, without resorting to the help of a shoe repair shop. Moreover, this work is not cheap. Moreover, it is still unknown how well it will be made in a workshop on the market.

The only point is that in this way you can narrow the boots only if they are no more than 5 centimeters wide. Since otherwise you will need a special shoe sewing machine.

What will we need?

For this work you will need a ruler, scissors, a fountain pen, glue, a sewing machine (about the types and cost of modern machines), a shoe zipper (footage). It is better to watch zip fasteners in the online store. With a large selection of models and color options, you will definitely find the right clasp.

Approximate price - from 6 to 7 and a half hryvnia per meter. For example, it is better to check the presence of a particular lightning in the catalog https://obuv-complekt.com/g200261-molnii-obuvnye-metrazhnye.

We will make boots from the side of the zipper. First you need to correctly take the measurement from the leg. Experienced craftsmen do this with a centimeter tape. However, there is an easier way, and it is most applicable at home.

How to take a measurement from a leg?

You need to wear a boot, you do not need to fasten the zipper. Next, take both sides of the shaft and put them on top of each other and thus determine how many centimeters you need to narrow. At the zipper, in the place where the tops began to intersect with each other, you need to put a mark in the form of a dot with a fountain pen.

Here will be the start for cropping. Further, at the intersection of the tops at the very top of the boot, we measure from the point of connection of the tops with each other and to the end point of the top. That is, we measure the piece that needs to be cut off. For example, it turned out 4 centimeters.

However, it would be wrong to cut off so much on one side of the shaft, because there will be a misalignment of the lightning. Therefore, this size must be divided in half. Now there are two centimeters left on each side. In this case, the lightning will remain in the middle, where it should be. We connect the upper and lower points with one line. Thus, on both sides of the lightning, there were places that need to be cut off.

Once again, to avoid mistakes, it is necessary to try on the boot on the leg.

Gently need to flog the zipper just below the marks. With sharp scissors along the marked line, cut off the excess material along with the lining (fur). Glue the zipper in place with glue.

With all the abundance of repair shops, some consumers still prefer to repair their shoes themselves. This is due to distrust of the work of some masters, with the high cost of the services of others. It seems that when a shoe has lasted for several years, it will be cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one than to repair it. However, materials are usually inexpensive, and craftsmen can repair shoes with their own hands and bring a pair to its original form.

SHOE REPAIR GLUE

Someone generally takes the path of least resistance and prepares the setting mixture on their own. So for repairing shoes, acetone with nylon fabric is useful - after degreasing, this product begins to have excellent adhesive properties. If a person works in any industry, he can use rubber glue, but a very high temperature is required to start the reaction, so in manufactories it is activated only in special stoves.

The most ordinary superglue can also help, but in this case, the repaired shoes should be dry and clean. The substance itself is carefully applied to one side, heated with an industrial hair dryer or oven on the other, and the boot is carefully sealed. True, molecular glue is not used everywhere in workshops, because it is not at all elastic, although it sticks tightly and quickly. If something is done incorrectly, tearing off part of the leather or sole to re-glue the boot will be too problematic.

A special adhesive solution for shoes will greatly simplify the task. As a rule, they are performed in the workshop with the help of dismakol and nairit. There are different variations of these compounds with different additives, depending on which the cost of the product changes. Rapid is also often used, but this glue, as a rule, is sold only in bulk, so it is not at all suitable for a single do-it-yourself repair.

INSTALLING HEEL AT HOME

A half-pair is placed on a metal foot or similar hard fixing device. Ready-made heels with an internal nail-pin are placed on thin studs for greater stability. If necessary, the stud must be sharpened to the diameter of the heel sleeve or vice versa, expanded with hammer blows, then apply a drop of superglue and instantly hammer the heel into the pin. After that, it is necessary to grind the material on a grinder with a stone, or with a drill, aligning it with the thickness of the heel. This procedure is quite complicated, it is better to contact professional craftsmen for shoe repair, so as not to spoil your favorite pair.

Installing heels on a wide heel with your own hands is a little easier. Plastic heels can also be glued super glue, pre-warming the material well. Hot polyurethane instantly "grabs" with the base and eliminates the need for the old fashioned way to hammer nails. Special shoe glue is applied to leather, wooden heels - nairit, be sure to apply on both sides! After waiting for a while, it is necessary to firmly press the planes to each other and fix.

L Any chemical agent requires proper application: both the appearance of the boots and the service life after repair depend on the gluing technology. It should be remembered that it is very difficult to apply a uniform thin layer of glue without smudges at home, especially for the inside of the shoes. in the workshop implies the presence necessary tool However, in some cases, you can get by with improvised means. A prerequisite for competent shoe repair is the activation of an already dried crust of glue about ten to twenty minutes after application.

The parts to be glued are heated with a hairdryer or held over electric stove, after which they are tightly connected to each other. Then the shoes should stand for a day in a warm room - only after that it will be reached operational strength . If you start wearing shoes immediately after repair, there is a high chance that the glued part will simply fall off.

When repairing soles with your own hands, you still have to use a professional solution - nairit, which is suitable for joining leather, suede fabrics with shoe soles. The moment that housewives like to use in such cases will not work. Our workshop is often contacted after an unsuccessful attempt to use the glue-moment, which of course does not help to glue the sole. It has to be removed with a solvent, to degrease the surface, which takes away additional time and funds.

REPEAT THE BASIC RULES:

  1. Glue "Super" can only connect fixed areas (for example, heels);
  2. The shoe solution must be applied to both surfaces to be glued, after which it dries for 15 minutes;
  3. It is necessary to use an industrial hair dryer or a stove for strong heating of the material when installing heels;
  4. It is necessary to firmly press the parts to be glued and fix them strongly for a minute.