How to Repair Leather Soles

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If you have ever been in love with a pair of leather-soled shoes, you can attest to how heartbreaking it can be when the sole needs repairing. To help extend the time between fixes, take care of your shoes by cleaning and protecting them often. With constant upkeep, your shoes will stay in good condition for quite a while. If and when your shoes do need to be repaired, make fixes quickly so as not to exacerbate the problems; though the shoes have leather soles, the repairs are fairly easy and inexpensive. While you may be tempted to take your shoes to a repair shop, consider making the fix yourself.

Repair

With the damp soft cloth, brush away any dirt, gravel or sediment stuck to the sole.

Remove the old dry glue from the sole; if you do not do this, the new glue will not adhere properly. Using a piece of sandpaper, gently sand the glue remnants. Then use the soft damp cloth to wipe away the dust and debris left behind.

Line the leather sole to be reattached using a strong shoe glue like Evo-Stik glue or Shoe Goo. Take care to apply glue generously to the edges of the sole as well as coating the center for the maximum-strength stick.

Line the upper part of the shoe over the sole and firmly press down, taking care to line up the upper shoe and the sole. Press and hold for a few seconds to ensure that the glue adheres to the upper part of the shoe.

Replicate a press by putting the shoe on your food and standing with all of your weight on the repaired sole to get rid of any small air bubbles that may be trapped in the glue.

Upkeep

Use a protector spray on suede and leather shoes to maintain the quality. Spray from about 6 inches away to coat the entire shoe and sole.

Waterproof your shoes using waterproofing spray, applying much like you did the protector spray. Hold it 6 inches from your shoe and mist the entire shoe and sole.

Use a wooden shoe tree to soak up perspiration inside shoes as well as to maintain their shape.