How To Use Shoe Glue – Read Step by Step Guide
Everybody wants to get their money’s worth from their footwear. And if the sole of your shoe gets ripped, there is absolutely no reason to throw it away unless it is beyond repair.
Thankfully, shoes are pretty easy to repair as long as the extent of the damage is minimal.
If you only have some shoe glue in your hand, you can repair the most common damages in your footwear.
Ripped soles are not that difficult to repair, and if you do not mind some extra work, you do not even have to take it to a cobbler.
In this article, we will give you a quick rundown on how to use shoe glue to repair your shoes quickly and easily.
Materials Need To Use Shoe Glue
Using shoe glue to repair ripped soles is actually a pretty simple process. Yes, you can take it to a cobbler to get it repaired if you are not willing to take the hassle.
But if you have a bit of time on your hand and are willing to pick up a new skill, we recommend doing it yourself.
If you are planning to use shoe glue to repair shoes, you need a few extra items such as –
- A shoe clamp,
- A few rolls of newspaper,
- And the adhesive itself.
You might also need –
- A few low-grit sandpapers to smoothen out the work surface.
We will give you a more detailed guide on how to use shoe glue in the following section.
How To Use Shoe Goo on Boots – Step By Step
Why choose Shoe Goo?
There are literally thousands of different glues out there to use on boots. While many of them offer fantastic performance, some are not that great.
So make sure you are using a decent shoe glue by a respectable brand. If you are repairing leather boots, the quality of the glue matters a lot.
We always recommend going with the infamous Shoe Goo when you are planning to repair leather boots. This adhesive is one of the strongest out there and will give you a strong and permanent bond after drying.
You can obviously go with any other option, but Shoe Goo is guaranteed to give you premium performance.
With that out of the way, here is a step by step rundown of how you can use Shoe Goo shoe glue to repair your boots.
Step – 1: Preparation
Before you can apply the adhesive on the affected or ripped area, there are some small preparatory steps that you need to cover.
- For instance, you want to wipe down the ripped area with isopropyl alcohol. The reason behind it is that if there is loose dirt on the spot, the adhesive will not stick properly.
- You want to apply a bit of alcohol on a smooth, lint-free cloth and wipe it thoroughly for best results.
- It is essential to be gentle while wiping as you do not want to damage the shoe further. You also want to make sure that the room where you will be working on the shoe is not too cold or hot.
- Ideally, you want the surface where you will be applying the glue to be as smooth as possible. If you notice fibers coming out of the area, you can use low-grit sandpaper to carefully sand it down. A smooth area will adhere better after using the shoe glue.
- You also need to stuff the inside of the shoe with paper or other similar items to make it more rigid. Make sure you remove the insoles beforehand. Another advantage to using paper on the inside is that if the glue seeps into the shoe, the paper will be able to absorb it.
- We typically go with newspaper to stuff inside the shoe, but you can also use any other papers you want.
Step – 2: Application
After going through the extensive preparation phase, you are finally ready to apply the glue.
As we have said before, we will be using the Shoe Goo. But you can feel free to work with any other adhesives you prefer.
- Get your adhesive ready for application by opening the tube. Typically, a shoe glue will have the tube sealed. You can use the cap of the tube to puncture it easily.
- To ensure the lid does not stick to the tube, you can apply a bit of kerosine to the entrance of the tube.
- With the adhesive ready, apply just a thin layer along the inside surface of the base of the shoe. Similarly, you want to use another thin layer of glue along the bottom edge of the ripped section.
- You can block off any excessive area where you do not wish to apply the adhesive using a bit of masking tape.
Step – 3: Clamping and Trimming
Once you have applied the glue, you will need to make sure that the two sections of the shoe remain tightly secured together. To do that, we recommend using a shoe clamp as it will ensure that the boot does not move out of position.
- Typically, shoe adhesives take around 24 to 48 hours to cure fully. Store the shoe in a well-ventilated place, applying clamps on the proper positions and leaving it for two to three days, just to be safe. You also want to make sure that the temperature of the room is not too high or low.
- After clamping the shoe, you will notice some excess glue seeping out from the joined section. You can use a knife or a card to trim the excess adhesive, which is called the squeeze-out.
- Once enough time has passed, the shoe glue should dry up, and your boots should be as good as new.
Frequently Asked Questions
1/ Is It Worth Using Shoe Glue To Repair Ripped Soles?
Absolutely. If the sole of your favorite pair of boots or sneakers comes off, there is no reason to throw it away.
You can easily repair it yourself using a bit of shoe adhesive. Using shoe glue to repair ripped soles will drastically enhance the lifespan of that shoe.
2/ Are Shoe Glue Water And Weatherproof?
Yes, if you are using a high-quality shoe adhesive, it should survive just about anything. Any decent shoe glue will come with good resistance against water, heat, snow, or temperature.
And once you use it to reattach the sole of your shoe, it should not come off any time soon.
3/ Can I Use Glue To Fill In Holes In My Shoe?
Yes, you can use shoe glue to fill any holes in your shoe as well as reattaching ripped soles.
Can I Use the Same Method to Make Shoe Glue Dry Faster?
Can I use the same method to make shoe glue dry faster? It’s possible! By following certain techniques, you can indeed Make Super Glue Dry Faster when using it for shoe repair. However, it’s important to exercise caution and ensure proper ventilation during the drying process to avoid any potential health hazards.
Parting Shots
Repairing shoes can seem like a fair bit of work at first, but it becomes pretty simple once you get into it.
Besides, it never hurts to spend some elbow grease picking up a new skill. Maybe someday it will come in handy when you least expect it.
We hope our complete step by step guide on how to use shoe glue could help you out.
Now you no longer need to throw away your favorite pair of boots just because of a ripped sole.
