I used "SeamGrip"(tent repair) on a pair of German Made Meindl boots a couple years ago with great results. We used Shoe Goo in the '80s with good results on generic pac boots.
Cardboard makes a great contact cement brush. LOL I have used to always use contact cement, but lately I have been using epoxy. Impact works great to set contact cement.
I was raised by my grandparents. Socks were darned. Clothes and shoes were mended. Everything that could be fixed were fixed. It's nice to see that someone still repairs things.
When I worked in a bodyshop I used windshield glue (Reinforced Polyurethane)to repair my workboots, it was a thing we used all the time for the repairs and seemed appropriate to use it for shoe repair. They lasted for years after that until I threw them away because I got more comfortable boots
Good advice, I haven't been able to get shoe goo to last for any appreciable length of time. You might be able to build up a missing chunk on the sole, or plug a hole, but gluing the shoe back together hasn't worked. Using a shovel has sometimes taken a chunk out of the sole of the shoe :)
While I appreciate the helpful "practical advice" such as repairs and whatnot (which is truly great), I cannot express how much I value your personal insight regarding personal and spiritual matters such as being a real man or a real husband by simply responding to a spoken need while maintaining the integrity of the other party or parties involved. Thank you!
Contact cement is amazing for shoe repairs! I put Goodyear rubber half soles on my smooth bottom dress shoes as soon as I get them and it more than doubles the life of the shoe. Of course, it also helps to get a pair of shoes with soles that are mechanically attached with a Blake Stitch or Goodyear welt.
I've made a pair of softwood sole shaped inserts for more effective clamping. Also use 3M 5200, and Gougeon G-Flex for more difficult soft material repairs. A quick flash-flame treatment across the surfaces will increase surface energy, promoting more thorough wetting of adhesive, and improved bonding by as much as 25%!
You know what works good to prevent the shoe from separating in the first place? If you take them when they are new (or still in great shape) and you put a thin layer of super-glue along all the seems where the sole meets the shoe, and where the sole has any layers that may separate. Keeping that initial separation from starting has worked wonders for me. For any small splits or separations one super glue, DAP Rapid Fuse, has worked the best (as my old work boots, and my The North Face insulated boots can attest) and then I just go over all the seems to seal it up.
Very good review on how to fix a shoe. As an additional tip, I recommend the use of using compacted newspaper to put inside the shoe to help assist application of pressure after surfaces have been joined and then wrapped with tape to help apply pressure. As far as being a woman, I want a mate who is willing to listen to my thoughts, reflections, beliefs, and views. I don’t want the rejection of “talk to the hand” response. Yes there are things that women should share with other women, but the only reason the woman tells you these things is because she values your opinions and looks up to you. Don’t disappoint her with the “Best to talk to your women friends” routine. Yes you are valued for being productive with your hands but you are also a soul mate and her telling you stuff is HER way of letting YOU know she trusts you and your opinion. That is in fact a high honor to own because many of us women feel alone when we have a person who won’t hear our most inner thoughts.
I bought a pair of good winter boots a couple years ago, but the "D" rings that you put the laces through on the outside broke off. So I went Jo-Ann fabrics and got a coat latch and converted that into a "d" ring and fixed my boot with that. One time another lacing assembly piece broke off on a pair of boots, and I used a fishing attachment/leader to fix it. I'm still wearing those boots today !
Wifey asked me to fix a loose shower handle a week ago, i shower in a different shower so it didnt bug me, my super intuitive 6 year old daughter reminded me tonight. Fixed ASAP. Totally right, its about showing her she is important. Should have done it sooner!
When I was a kid, somebody told me “the more you own, the more it owns you”. The minimalists life style makes a lot of sense to me but I do have a problem with tools. It seems hard to cut that back because I know I’ll need it as son as I get rid of it too?
Your relationship advice is so spot on. They really want you to show them that you care through deeds. This has reminded me that I need to do better. Thx brother.
I honestly love it when you get sidetracked and start talking about great stories of your life, and talk about your granddad. I think it’s great, and I love every second of it. Btw keep up the great work, and is there any way you could make a video of your family, because I’m curious on how Mrs. W and Jack are doing.
Cody you can purchase contact cement in a spray can. Worksgreat. Plus you can keep using it much later. Doesn't plug up like a paint spray can. 3 M makes it. Useful also for fabric repairs like a loose headliner or whatever.
I've been using Shoe Goo since the mid 1970's. It can be used as sole material or filling a hole not just sticking things together. Great commentary on relationships.
Thumbs up for the reflection on men/women and relating that sat unexpectedly at the end of your video. BTW, having raised a skateboarder whose shoes were very expensive, we'd superglue the stitching at the soles when the shoes were brand new to seal them for longer life, and then use shoe-goo down the road whenever necessary to mend toe areas and soles. I have also shoe-gooed leather soles in dress shoes for work as they tend to wear out under the ball of my foot. I do it before the hole goes through to the insole. You'd be amazed how much more life that can add to a shoe sole if you do that. Love your channel. You remind me of generations past, and you reaffirm, daily, those things that have made us uniquely American. God bless you and your lovely family!
J-B Weld Plastic Bonder 2-part EPOXY works phenomenally...plus its way easier to use, dries quick and stays flexible at all temperatures the weather can throw at you.
You often apologize, or worry about going on tangents. I for one hope you never stop. Those tangents are full of the rich advise that many people are missing today!
Love the behind the scenes commentary of what led you to the repair itself. E6000 is what i used a couple of days ago for a pair of kids sneakers. Shoe goo on steroids, is what i've been told. It remains flexible after curing but does take up to 72 hours to fully cure. The beauty of a longer cure time allows time to clean up for a professional look in the end. I'd be interested in side by side comparison of these adhesives under use at extreme temps.
Growing up my dad repaired my shoes with that shoe goo a number of times. I have found that when temperatures are high, like 115 in Phoenix, the glue will let go, but that happened to shoes with their original glue too.
And you just need to start where you are, go forward. Thanks for teaching the next generation of people that didn't have that grandad. Keep up the good work.
Tape is unnecessary when using contact cement correctly. If the glue is dry to the touch, it bonds instsntly. I wear my athlectic shoes until the literally have no sole left. I resole my Chippewa Loggers. They cost $250.00 when I bought them. They cost much more these days.
Would you do a follow-up video or comment on how well the repair held up up? I imagine Nordic ski shoes would be top contenders for 'stress testing' contact cement. Great video.
We went to Thunder in the Valley in 2005 and my boot started flapping like that. We bought Shoe Goo, glued it up, and set the dresser corner on the boot overnight. Our friends laughed their @**es off, but those boots are STILL holding up! I have a few tubes of Shoe Goo in my preps. I think that it worked so well because of the extreme weight on it overnight.
I am not one for watching Dr. Phil or especially Oprah when she was on. But back when Dr. Phil first came on TV my wife recorded some of them. She was watching one where he brought up about wives asking their husbands to take out the trash. He said that when wives asked husbands to take out the trash and they do not do it right then, that was a sign they didn't love them. That taking out the trash for a women, when asked, was a sign of love. I laughed and so, its a chore that I do when I am heading that way. My wife looked at me and said she agreed with Dr. Phil. It was a sign of love. Really shocked me.
I used to fix my work boots with shoe goo after few failures usually after repeated muddy wet jobs they would fail again . Then I tried contact cement, those same old pair of boots I wore another year then retired them but still wear every week when I do my yard work mowing , weed whacking wood splitting etc .. and wear in my shop at home so basically all Weekend still going strong I second the Contact Cement . Keep up the good work Mr. W we support you so you tube has too!
The only adhesive that I have ever had any good long term results with for shoe repair is Loctite S30 Polyurethane Roof and Flashing Sealant. It's not sold as a glue, but it is the best flexible adhesive that I have ever used and it is inexpensive. It is used in a caulking gun. You will need to wear gloves when applying it as it is very difficult to get off your skin (it is black in color). It is sold in the big box home centers and online. When using it as an adhesive, the item needs to be taped or clamped together for a few days before use. It will last several months after opening if you plug the end of the tube and place it in a refrigerator.
I've found that shoe goo does not work well for me. It does work for some things well, but not nearly as well as people claim. I am very rough on shoes. I've actually used Loctite PL S30 for many fixes regarding shoes, but never for reattaching the sole. I'm going to try the contact cement next time for the soles.
I am late to post, I know -but thanking for the tip on using Loctite PL S30. My shoo goo repair failed, probably because I am rough on shoes as well. :)
Well done and great advice. Just a note but the contact cement and fumes is highly flammable and any hot ignition source can cause combustion. I have seen many home burned down from that stuff. Great product, but use wisely. Thanks for sharing.
One thing I have noticed after using shoe goo many times, it works very well but will dry fairly hard, so make sure you put enough pressure on the shoe while it’s still soft so there are no spots sticking up Excellent video mr W
Accidentally find this video for a shoe repair tip, stay for the relationship advice. Yeah I've seen several people mentioned contact cement as a superior solution to the catchy gimmick marketing of shoe Goo. I think I'll be using contact cement to fix my Jordans. Thanks.
Thanks for the advice. My daughter brought over my one year old granddaughters little boots that the soles came off. Went right to your channel looking for what to do and you had the video answer. Thanks again.
I once had the sole start falling off my nice leather hunting boots many miles out from camp. It was like wearing a flipflop. Luckily I kept one of those 1" wide rolls of Gorilla tape in my shoulder bag. Wrapped it up good and made the hike back no problem. Fixed later with "Boot-Fix Shoe Glue".
You have some wonderful revelations. As far as shoes go, If I pay any more than 30 dollars for a pair of shoes, I want them to last me as long as possible. Bought some off brand uggs and put them back together twice before buying more. Just spent 170 dollars on some new Carolinas and ill be damned if I'll dispose of those before I get a couple years out of them
Yep. That is the mark of a properly made tool is when you use it for purposes it was never intended for, and it still works fantastic. That is a great testimony for the toughness of the Benchmade! I think I'm actually going to get one now.
Hi Cody, keep an eye on Mrs W's repaired boot! I've found contact adhesive isn't great when it gets damp. Take some gaffer tape on your next outing just in case,
I was reading the comments to see people's experience. Weldwood has not been durable at all for me in wet and cold environments. The repairs I did looked great going together and then failed immediately on the trail.
I used shoe goo on a cut at the tip of a work boot years ago. It worked great all the way up till I had to get new ones. I will have to take a look at the contact cement as well, Thanks
Thanks for the relationship advice at the end there. It’s the great life lessons you give that truly make this one of the greatest RU-vid channels out there.
I adore that insight- know what your time is worth. An hour and $10 to learn something valuable, or a chunk of your paycheck & time for a disposable lifestyle.
Altho not very religious, i do enjoy your videos because of how humble you are and how there is lessons within lessons on and about the things you work on. Also its reassuring for me on how i been feeling lately on how wasteful we as a society in general have become. Keep up the good work.
A guy in another DIY repair video showed how to poke holes through the sides of the sole & shoe, to sew them together. That should add some major extra bonding.
I love contact cement, I use it for so many projects, I’ve found in some cases that when it starts to “go bad” it thickens up a bit in the can and gets even stronger when gluing
When I used to be married my wife had bought some furniture from IKEA and I have assembled them, then she started complaining for her bicycle that the chain was getting out of the it's place. When I looked at the bicycle one day, the chain was rusty. I went and bought new chain and I put it into chain mechanism and after three weeks she told me "You do not love me"
yeah most of these rules out of love, don,t aply to 90% of the people these days. its why this world is going to hell in a handbasket. people aren,t loyal to each other out of love, but what they can get out of each other as gains for themselves.. its why the happy wife happy life quote is BS.
As a Canadian I have to say that whenever you Americans complain about the cold, we get a good laugh out of it. Woke up the other day to a white-out blizzard. It was 20 Celsius the day before.
I find that I spend the same time dealing with or cleaning up before a project, as cleaning up and putting this away right afterwards. The only difference is that when I want to do something, I don't have chores to do before hand I get right to the task, that is much more enjoyable for me. Be Well
I have shoe goo and a couple more for fixing shoes , but you just showed me something sir , I take my time doing any work to get it right. Thank you , you're cool sir .
PAINTER HACK: Take the pointy end of a 5in1 tool and jamb a couple holes or slots down through the bottom of the trough in the can where the lid goes on... It lets the goo drain back down into the can and doesn't effect the seal. No where near the mess and way easier to open later. You need a 5in1 btw, and stop torturing that poor knife :D
I have to stay Mr. W. I love how you say cement. I'm in NY and everyone says cement (sah-mehnt) but how you say cement (sea-mehnt) idk why I just like it! Haha.
Had to come back to this 9 months later... I'm finally going to try and fix a pair of Sorel hikers that have been out of service for longer than I care to admit.
You're making us look bad haha. But seriously that was a great way to put it. And it helps to be reminded to do things for your wife or girlfriend we are all guilty of it. Great message.
I've tried this a few times but they never held up for very long :( I must be doing something wrong or perhaps the contact cement sold here just isn't very good.
Shoe goo . . . Works great for patchin a hole in your britches. Enjoy watching your videos and you're narrative. Thank you for sharing with the community
Probably 40+ years ago or more, a distant relative of ours and her husband and family were redoing their kitchen themselves. They were putting new Formica counter tops on with glue. Not sure if it was contact cement or not. She was walking through the kitchen and they left their pilot light on the stove. And being back in the 70s or 80s she was wearing nylon pants or something like that. The kitchen blew up from the fumes catching her on fire and melting her pants to her body. Those fumes can be very dangerous. That is my PSA for the day.
