Most practical shoes, which are specially designed to protect feet in rainy weather, are rubber boots. But they may also need repairs, just like any other shoe. Usually the rubber diverges at the junction of the main part with the sole, grinds off, punctures, or bursts. In order not to spend money on a new pair and save on the services of a shoemaker, you can try sealing rubber boots yourself. Thanks to this, they will serve you for many more seasons.
To repair your rubber boots at home, you will still need to spend a little money on Consumables, some of which you probably already have at home and will come in handy in the future. But in any case, the costs will not be as significant as if you had to turn to a shoe repair specialist for help. So, you will need to have on hand:
- rubber patch;
- rubber glue;
- a block and a regular hammer (may not be required);
- a little solvent;
- a piece of rags or ordinary cotton wool;
- file;
- sandpaper.
- First of all, you need to prepare your rubber boots for the sizing process. Therefore, first wash them outside and inside with soap and a brush to remove dirt, then dry. Prepare a rubber patch. If you can’t find an original one cut from an old boot, you can use a bicycle inner tube.
- Use a file along the back of your patch, as well as the seam around the puncture, to roughen the surface for better adhesion. Sand these areas similarly with coarse sandpaper.
- Soak a rag or cotton wool in solvent and work on the patch and tear area on the rubber boot. If there are particles of rags or cotton wool left on the surface, they should be removed.
- Trim the edges of the patch so that it does not completely cover the treated rough surface. Now you can begin the main stage of repairing your rubber boots.
- For gluing the patch, a special glue is suitable that can reliably fasten rubber surfaces (for example, “Rubber” or “Super Moment” for rubber). You can contact a shoe repair specialist and ask him to pour special glue into your container for a small fee.
- If you are using store-bought glue, read the instructions and follow all directions for use to obtain maximum result. Apply glue thin layer on the patch and treated area of the boot, leave for 10-20 minutes (see instructions for time).
- Place the patch coated with glue on the area of the boot and press firmly. For greater reliability, the boots are put on a last and tapped with a hammer. At the same time, you need to make sure that she does not move. The time for gluing the patch is at least 24 hours.
Rubber shoes are incredibly popular in the off-season. And in gardens it is much more convenient to water and weed the beds, because no dirt or moisture is scary. With proper care and choice of manufacturer, these shoes will last you for many years.
How and with what to seal rubber boots?
However, no one is immune from damage to even thick rubber. We offer two simple and available methods, how to seal rubber boots.
Caring for rubber boots
So that such a nuisance does not take you by surprise, you should properly care for your rubber shoes. After all, even very good producers They will not be able to guarantee the safety of your boots if they are not properly cared for.
First of all, let's learn how to clean properly. To wash rubber shoes, just take warm water, soft cloth and just a little glycerin. Then appearance the product will last for a long time. Don't forget to ventilate your boots well to avoid the development of fungus.
After cleaning or use in very rainy weather, never place 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, a regular school eraser will help make it look brand new again.
How to seal rubber boots - the classic method
Even if you take very good care of your rubber shoes, sooner or later they may deteriorate. In such a situation, the question quite logically arises: is it possible to seal the 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 seal such a product. You don't even have to seek help for repairs. From the materials and tools used, you will need glue, solvent, and a patch (it is usually cut from old inner tubes from bicycles or strollers).
- Shoes should be thoroughly washed and dried, as discussed in the rules for caring for rubber boots.
- Cut the patch to size. In addition to bicycle tubes, old rubber boots are quite suitable.
- Next, using a solvent, thoroughly degrease the surface of the shoe and the patch itself. Make sure that no pieces of cotton wool or threads from rags remain on the treated area.
- To fix the patch we use Super Moment type rubber glue for rubber. If you wish, you can simply go to any nearest shoe repair shop and ask the master to sell you some special glue for a nominal fee.
- First we apply glue to the shoes and the patch, let it sit for a while, then fix it. The exposure time is usually indicated on the tube.
- 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 option
Sometimes the patch method is disappointing and you have to look for something else to seal your rubber boots with. If after a while you see that it was not possible to fill the hole, go to a sporting goods store. Many bicycle owners claim that more reliable way repair rubber boots; if they are torn, use a repair kit for bicycle tires.
Whatever method you choose, it is better to put on your boots after a day, when the glue has completely dried and set 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, is easy to clean, in most cases it is used in the production of shoes and has the disadvantage that it is not resistant to sharp tools; such shoes will be punctured or even cut by a knot if the step is unsuccessful.
Therefore, repair is enough actual question for EVA products. Universal adhesives won't fit.
How to seal PVC or EVA rubber boots at home
Boots made from EVA can only be sealed with specialized material.
Characteristics of the adhesive composition
Sneakers, boots or winter fishing boots made of EVA material will be properly sealed only with the same material, i.e. EVA glue.
Properties:
- waterproof;
- does not spread;
- is able to tightly connect gaps formed at the bend, as well as side and corner ones;
- the repaired area remains almost invisible;
- means for a long time adheres to the shoe, thanks to which the damaged area is protected from repeated damage;
- the composition is consumed sparingly, since 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;
- Shelf life is 24 months (2 years).
How to use correctly
The method of working with EVA is practically no different from the usual one, you just need to take into account that it is impossible to glue PVC products with the product.
Instructions for use:
- Clean the areas to be joined and degrease with acetone. You can do without degreasing, but in any case, the areas to be glued must be clean and dry.
- Expand or compress the damaged area so that the porous surface of the ethylene vinyl acetate (usually inner side product) ended up outside. This is important because it is glossy outside surface doesn't stick.
- Apply adhesive material to the porous area of the cut (tear) and leave for three to four minutes.
- After this, bring the edges of the gap together and press them firmly together.
- The final hardening of the product occurs after a day (24 hours).
In a similar way, you can repair, for example, Toptygin winter fishing boots. The manufacturer indicates how to use the glue correctly on the packaging of the composition. Follow the instructions and the cut will literally disappear from your shoes.
A small shard of glass, a nail or an ordinary push pin lying under the table is enough to render rubber boots completely unusable. The unpleasant surprise is aggravated by the fact that shoe repair shops Rubber boots are not accepted. Don't buy new boots. Let's try to figure out how to seal rubber boots with our own hands.
It is worth noting that rubber boots, like EVA boots, are not so easy to seal. Regular shoe glue won't take them, but superglue will ruin them.. You need special glue.
Angler's method
You can look for special rubber glue in hunting and fishing stores. The number of unsuccessful attempts will be reduced to a minimum if you know what your rubber boots are made of. To repair products made from PVC, polyurethane or EVA, completely different adhesives are required. Ask the right glue contact the seller and follow the instructions on the package. As a rule, the technology is the same: sand, degrease, glue a patch.
How to seal boots made of EVA, because they are porous? If you purchased special glue for EVA, then you won’t even need a patch. Carefully turn out the edges of the hole and apply glue to the porous structure until it is absorbed. Then line up the edges and press. After repair, even the boot will look quite aesthetically pleasing.
Cyclist's way
A proven way to reliably seal rubber boots is a bicycle repair kit. It usually contains several patches on protective films, special glue and sandpaper. Rub the area where the patch is glued with sandpaper, an area slightly larger than the size of the patch. Then degrease it with acetone.
Remove the film from the patch and apply glue to the exposed surface, also cover the glued area on the boot with glue. After 5-10 minutes, when the glue has dried, press the patch firmly.
You can use repaired boots almost immediately, they will be completely sealed. One problem is that bicycle patches do not look very aesthetically pleasing, so they are only suitable for rubber country boots.
Motorist method
What to do if smart women's rubber boots need repair? Like EVA boots, they are best sealed without a patch. You can fill the hole in colored and transparent rubber boots with elastic adhesive sealant.
The “Crazy Hands” adhesive-sealant from the “Done Deal” brand has proven itself well. You can buy one in stores for car enthusiasts. For everything to work out as it should, do not neglect preparatory stages. After washing, dry the shoes thoroughly and degrease the hole with acetone. The quality of gluing depends on this.
Again, seal leather boots and rubber boots are needed different glue— keep in mind that all of the listed materials are not suitable for leather.
And the question arises, ?
But after using the method of gluing with rubber glue, many people get upset because for some reason the patch falls off.
It’s strange that the glue is rubber, but it doesn’t stick to rubber?
Yes, it really doesn’t hold, and even if it does, it doesn’t last long.
Then we try another method, take it to a shoe repair shop. And there they say: “We don’t glue rubber shoes.”
It’s strange again, a shoe workshop, but they don’t take shoes for repairs.
And indeed, shoemakers rarely undertake the repair of rubber shoes. The only thing they can advise is to go to a car repair shop where car tires are vulcanized.
But, most likely, they will refuse you there, saying that this rubber cannot be vulcanized, or they will even say that they no longer have such a service, since now many drivers have switched to new types of tires where vulcanization is not used.
What to throw away? But I really need them.
Don't worry, there is a way out!
I offer you one of the most effective and proven methods, namely, how to glue a patch to rubber shoes.
Although it won’t add any beauty, the patch will stick.
Nowadays, you can quickly and reliably patch rubber boots with a miracle invention, which Lately used by cyclists.
It's called a camera repair kit.
It's not expensive but it sticks perfectly. Of course, I can’t guarantee 100% that it wakes you up exactly as you want, but I tried it, it works.
It includes ready-made patches, by the way different sizes, glue and even sandpaper (may not be available everywhere).
It is very easy to glue them. Instructions are always included with it.
I’ll add from myself:
- Mark the place where it is necessary to patch, applying a patch of the required size accordingly
- Sand well with sandpaper (some people advise degreasing with gasoline, but I would not recommend doing this at all if the shoes are clean and not greasy, and if degreasing, then only with acetone)
- Apply glue to the selected area on the boot
- Remove the protective film from the patch and smear that side with glue (someone may have a question about which side to apply on the patch - I repeat the one under the film, but after gluing, a colored rim on the patch will be visible)
- Let the glue dry for about 10 minutes and press.
Of course, you shouldn’t wear it right away, wait a while, and it’s better to wear it the next day.
If a hole appears on the sole, then of course a different approach is needed.
First, this place must be processed on a sharpening machine so that the surface becomes perfectly smooth, otherwise everything will be useless. And then we glue it as usual.
But keep in mind that this patch will quickly wear out if you walk in it, say, on asphalt. That is, it is designed to go into the water, but not for long walks.
But in principle, if it wears out, you can do the previous procedure again.
So, it's possible quickly and reliably!
But as you noticed, we were talking about simple rubber shoes, which are intended for ordinary household chores.
Recently, rubber boots have been used not only in the country, on hikes or in the forest. Today it is fashionable and stylish shoes, which saves in time heavy rains and floods. The shops are full of bright and colorful boots. However, even such strong and stable shoes can suffer and deteriorate.
The most common problem is a punctured sole. When stepping on a fragment, broken glass or even an ordinary pushpin, a hole forms in the rubber. It is very easy to puncture the rubber material, causing them to leak and become unusable.
But don’t rush to throw away your shoes; in some cases, the shoes can still be repaired. Let's find out how to seal rubber boots at home, how to fix a hole in the sole and in the boot.
How to prepare boots for repair
First, the boots must be thoroughly cleaned, washed and dried. You can seal your shoes with rubber or a patch from an old rubber shoe or tire. To do this, cut out the required piece of rubber and process it on each side with a file or sandpaper. The resulting rough surface will adhere to the glue more firmly and reliably.
Choose a special glue marked “rubber” or “shoe.” By the way, you can find a product for gluing rubber boots in a car store or stores for fishermen and hunters.
Take a glue-sealant that works great. When choosing a product, take into account the shoe material, since EVA and polyurethane require different means. Under no circumstances use classic PVA or “Moment”!
Dried boots need to be sanded and degreased using acetone or solvent. Before using glue, be sure to read the instructions and follow the recommendations.
If the sole, and not the boot, is torn, you must first make the surface smooth and even using sharpening machine. And only then you can glue the patch. Next, we’ll take a closer look at how to seal the sole and boot quickly and effectively.
Five ways to seal your boots
- “Hot” gluing method using a vulcanizer. Rubber is used as a patch, which is pre-soaked in gasoline. The resulting patch is placed on the hole, clamped with a vulcanizer and left for half an hour. Then the device is turned off and cooled. Only after this can the press be removed;
- A standard bicycle repair kit, which includes special patches based on protective films, glue and sandpaper. Sand the desired area on the boots with sandpaper and degrease. Then remove the film from the bookmark, apply glue and glue it to to the right place. It is advisable to wait 6-12 hours and only then use the shoes. However, the appearance of a glued patch is not very aesthetic, so this method is suitable for repairing soles or for using boots in places where appearance is not important.
- We repair boots using special means for gluing rubber shoes. This is the easiest and available method. First you need to prepare the patch and boots for gluing. Don't forget to degrease the shoe surface. Apply glue to the patch and the gluing area in several layers and apply each layer after the previous one has dried slightly. Press the surfaces to be glued tightly and firmly against each other. To be more effective, you can tap the gluing area with a hammer. To prevent the patch from being noticeable, sand the surface of the sealed area with sandpaper;
- If your boots have a porous surface, you can seal the holes without a patch. In this case, the edges at the cut site are turned out and generously lubricated with glue, and then pressed firmly against each other;
- If you use glue-sealant, which is sold in car dealerships, you can also repair shoes without patching. First, degrease the bonding areas, and then lubricate the torn edges and press them tightly together.
How to properly care for rubber boots
If you choose the right glue and carry out the procedure carefully, you will be satisfied with the repair. And for boots to last longer, you need to organize proper care for rubber shoes and repaired products. After use, thoroughly clean and wash your boots in running water.
We offer several simple rules on the care and use of rubber shoes:
- Wipe the outside of the rubber surface with a clean cloth. For very dirty shoes, first rinse in water and then wipe dry;
- Colored boots are cleaned with Vaseline. It will retain color and shine, and the boots will not burst or become cracked;
- Be sure to use shoe insoles, preferably warm ones. Wash insoles every two to three months;
- Don't wear rubber boots in hot weather sunny weather, since rubber deteriorates and burns out;
- Periodically lubricate the surface of the products with oil varnish with rubber glue or glycerin. This will keep the boots shiny;
- Before long-term storage, be sure to lubricate your shoes with glycerin. Then wrap the items in newspaper or paper and place them in a cool, dry place;
- You can remove dark spots and streaks from rubber using a regular school eraser. It should be soft and clean;
- If your foot does not fit into the narrow top of the boot, lower the elastic stocking inside and put on the shoes. Then the leg will fit in without any problems, and the stocking can then be easily pulled out.
To keep your shoes shiny and attractive in appearance longer, lubricate the surface with oil varnish and rubber glue or wipe with a damp cloth containing glycerin. By the way, glycerin is an excellent product for caring for leather items. It will help smooth out a genuine leather jacket and give the product a presentable appearance. Read more about how to care for a leather jacket.