Combination top repair
On sneakers with a combined upper made of synthetic material with foam padding or natural and artificial suede, the fabric most often damaged is in the toe area, where the shoe comes into contact with the toes. On the outside, this area can be protected by a rubber insert around which there is a mesh, which is typical for running models of sneakers.
If there is minor damage to the front of the shoe, a patch can be sewn on. If there are large holes, you need to prop up the seams, adjust the size and shape of a piece of durable nylon fabric and sew it in place.
How to fix a hole in the sole of a shoe
Most athletic pairs of shoes have soft, thin soles. This is done to reduce the load on the feet during training or simple walks. Due to the softness of the bottom of the product, cracks and holes may appear on it. You can restore your shoes to their original appearance in the following way:
- The edges of the hole are cleaned of dirt with a brush.
- Then they are degreased. This is done using alcohol, acetone, gasoline, solvent or nail polish remover.
- A fiberglass mesh is placed in the hole.
- After this, the adhesive is applied.
- Cover the problem area with tape so that the mesh or glue does not protrude beyond the hole.
- The shoes are left until the glue dries completely. The time depends on the chosen composition and the size of the hole.
- Remove the tape and check the quality of the work performed.
Management. How to reduce the number of cracks in sneakers?
Total sneaker cleaning
Tips on cleaning sneakers made of different materials can be found in the shoe care section.
Stuff your sneakers with disposable bags.
Make sure that there is no empty space in each of the sneakers. The pressure of the bags on the internal parts should be such that all the “wrinkles” rise, becoming accessible for ironing. If this pressure is not immediately provided, problems will arise during ironing. Why is it better to use disposable bags? They are universally accessible and easy to slip in and out of the shoe. Well, thanks to the bags, you won’t have problems with water when ironing.
Compare the result of “stuffing”: the right side of the sneakers is already stuffed with bags, the left side is not yet.
Now both sneakers are stuffed...
Set the iron to maximum setting
Prepare an ironing board, some water and some clean cloth. Some people use a kitchen towel for this purpose, but I find them too thick for this purpose. The temperature from the iron will not affect the sneakers with the desired effect, and this means that we will not be satisfied with the result! An old T-shirt will do the job perfectly.
You can compare the difference between the thickness of the rags.
Wet the toebox and a rag
Water is practically the main element when ironing sneakers. It will not only protect the skin from burning and melting, but will also allow the skin to become more pliable and elastic. The skin will become softer, which in turn will allow us to restore evenness to it with less effort.
Ironing toebox
Double-check that the iron is set to the highest temperature and that the steam function is turned on. Steam is used to maintain humidity levels during the ironing process. Make sure that both the sneakers and the damp cloth remain stationary while ironing. Ironing should be light, but with enough pressure to even out wrinkles. Please note that excessive ironing pressure may damage the entire surface of the toebox.
The first sneaker is ready, repeat the same with the second.
And now, I want to show you several options for sneakers that get rid of “wrinkles” using the method described in my guide. But it’s also worth considering that in addition to ironing, the owners of these sneakers (in some cases) also resorted to tinting the sole and body elements. Remember, restoration is an opportunity to give your favorite sneakers a second chance to serve their owner. See you in the next posts on this topic and thank you all for your attention!
| Household repair/cleaning | |
| Subcategories | Tailoring/repairing clothes/shoes |
How to seal a hole in sneakers?
There is a cut near the toe, as if cut with a knife. How and with what to seal it?
Damage to your favorite sneakers is akin to a small “tragedy”, because they fit so well on the foot and seem to be part of the body. And here it is. What to do, how to seal your sneakers? Don't worry - there are many adhesive mixtures that will help solve the problem quite effectively, the main thing is to know what you can choose from. So here's what you can try:
- desmocol. This glue belongs to the polyurethane group. It cannot always be found in tubes, since it is used by professionals in the production of shoes and is usually produced in cans weighing from one kilogram. You can buy it at shoe repair stores and it dries quickly so it needs to be stored properly. Desmocol has analogues, for example a glue called Uranus. The surface to be glued is cleaned and degreased, the glue is applied in a thin layer, leveled and allowed to dry a little for ten minutes (the glue will not stick). Next, it is heated over the tile, up to 80 degrees Celsius, connected as needed (possibly using a patch) and pressed tightly, secured with a weight or, for example, a clothespin. When the glue dries - this will take 24 hours - the sneakers can be put on;
- glue Moment. Some people spit at the mention of this product, but if you glue it correctly, everything will work out. The most important thing is to thoroughly clean the surfaces to be glued and generously apply Moment to them (possibly in two layers); it should dry for about 20 minutes, no less. Then squeeze and fix everything for several hours;
- others. Epoxy and rubber, PVC, EVA. In any case, you will have to wait at least a day, since the glue must dry.
A cut on sneakers is quite a serious problem. To repair, you will need pieces of a material related to the upper (we will assume that yours is made of leather). It is necessary to prepare two pieces - we glue one from the inside of the cut (it will perform a reinforcing function), and the other from the outside (this piece is cleaned, reducing its thickness; the purpose of the patch is to cover the thread stitching). The cut itself (before applying the patch) needs to be stitched; to do this, holes are made on the sides with an awl and sewn together in a zigzag manner.
Source
Why does the mesh wear out and tear?
The vulnerable and short-lived part of sports shoes that often wears out is the mesh. The causes of damage are as follows:
- Features of the legs . Some people's legs have structural features that differ from the standard ones. This could be a protruding toe, a bunion, or an atypical foot shape. Where the foot presses on the shoe more than necessary, the mesh breaks faster.
- Sloppy walking . Sometimes people move quickly, do not look at their feet, often stumble or hit one foot against the other when walking. These actions ultimately lead to damage to the shoes.
- Active lifestyle . Hiking, mountain climbing, and even long walks around the city can take a toll on your sneakers, causing them to quickly lose their appearance.
- Frequent washing . If the shoes are light, you have to clean them almost every day. To prevent regular exposure to brushes and detergents from damaging the mesh, you should use special soft rags, sprays or wet wipes, and it is better to completely wash your sneakers as rarely as possible.
- Accident . No one is immune from small incidents. If a person accidentally stumbles, hits or even touches the mesh with something, it can tear, especially if it is made of thin material.
- Weather . Rain, snow, dirt and other natural factors often negatively affect the condition of the fabric of sneakers. The mesh becomes thinner and wears out faster.
- Sports . Those who love to exercise need to be prepared for damage to their sneakers. Football, volleyball and even running wear out shoes more than walking. In this case, it is better to have a special pair for physical education.
On cheap shoes, the mesh breaks faster, but the high price also does not protect against the risk of damage.
