Which adhesive to re-attach sole of shoe?

May 14, 2008 34 Replies
Z

The sole of this shoe has come apart. It's a man's outdoor shoe.



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The rear part of the sole became unstuck after months and months of prising the shoe off using the heel rather than undoing the laces. Big mistake!



What type of adhesive would a shoe repairer use to fix this?



Thanks to my discount store I have lots of contact adhesive, UHU clear glue (like Bostik), white PVA, runny superglue, and that sort of thing.



Which adhesive is the most suitable to re-attach this sole?


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R

I'd guess some sort of rubber cement. Have a look at this:

and

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L

Evostik contact adhesive. (Glue gun might well be OK too; never used one).

David

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G

I've heard this crap works.

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- gpsman

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O

AUIU they use a hot glue combined with a press.

Owain

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P

There is a so-called "Shoe Glue," although I haven't seen it in many years. I'd use a good rubber cement or "aerospace" epoxy.

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J

Use Barge Cement. It's what the shoe repair shops use.

Trust me, it's absolutely the best for shoe applications.

Sometimes available in tubes at shoe repair shops, but if not, try one of these online shops:

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Jeff

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C

Why use glue when you could use 1" galvanized sheet rock screws? just screw it from the inside of the shoe into the sole, I would use at least three!! ;-) Clark...

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D

Evostick Serious Glue. Takes 24 hours to reach full strength but sticks most things together. Think it's a polyurethane type.

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J

Phisherman wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

epoxy is not going to be flexible.

3M makes some good adhesives.
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S

Yes, it's a paste often supplied in tubes and it can be used to repair holes or cracks in soles as well as re-attaching heels and soles to uppers. The make I used to see being used was "Bison" and IIRC it was sold as "Bison shoe repair paste". I can find a materials data sheet for it:

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But I can't see anyone in the UK selling the stuff (not online at least). Woolworths used to stock it, but Woolies have changed a lot of their line up recently - most of them don't seem to sell the range of glue, shoe soles and repair materials that they used to.

Ah, hang on it looks like it has been re-born as "liquid rubber"

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I'm sure there are other/cheaper sellers if you have good look around.

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F

Gorilla glue is a polyurethane. It is somewhat flexible. I patched a rip in a nylon hunting boot with it.

Also two part epoxy resins are designed to bond certain materials.

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D

On 5/14/2008 1:58 PM Phisherman spake thus:

I think you're thinking of "Shoe Goo". Pretty good stuff, but not sure it's good enough for this repair.

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J

Frank wrote in news:bLOdncixiLCU7rbVnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

yes,HARD as a rock.

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S

West System now has a flexible 2 part epoxy.

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H

Man is clearing out the apartment of his recently deceased grandfather in lower Manhattan. Amongst the stuff, he finds a ticket for shoe repair dated

1937! The shoe repair shop is still in business, so the guy thinks he'll have some fun.

He walks into the shoe repair shop and places the ticket on the counter.

The cobbler glances at the ticket and says: "They'll be ready Thursday."

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