Beanplating Shoe Goo
November 11, 2024 6:29 AM Subscribe
Quick, possibly embarrassing, question about using Shoe Goo...
So, the soles completely (and cleanly) disconnected from the uppers of an old pair of Merrells of mine. Shoe Goo to the rescue, right? But, in typical fashion, I might be overthinking this. To wit...
Do you apply Shoe Goo to both surfaces to be bonded, like you would an epoxy? Or just one surface?
All epoxies I’ve ever used always make it clear you are to apply it to both surfaces, but the Shoe Goo instructions are kinda vague on the subject. Nowhere can I find instructions that specifically state applying to both surfaces. The instructions merely say “apply to surfaces” but it’s unclear if it means both surfaces to be bonded, or is simply referring to the plurality of surfaces you can use the stuff on.
Yeah, I’m beanplating this like boss.
Hope me?
So, the soles completely (and cleanly) disconnected from the uppers of an old pair of Merrells of mine. Shoe Goo to the rescue, right? But, in typical fashion, I might be overthinking this. To wit...
Do you apply Shoe Goo to both surfaces to be bonded, like you would an epoxy? Or just one surface?
All epoxies I’ve ever used always make it clear you are to apply it to both surfaces, but the Shoe Goo instructions are kinda vague on the subject. Nowhere can I find instructions that specifically state applying to both surfaces. The instructions merely say “apply to surfaces” but it’s unclear if it means both surfaces to be bonded, or is simply referring to the plurality of surfaces you can use the stuff on.
Yeah, I’m beanplating this like boss.
Hope me?
Best answer: Shoe Goo is a rubber cement, not an epoxy, mostly styrene-butadiene. Like AzraelBrown says, you use it like glue. It takes 24-72 hours to cure - for an enclosed thing like reattaching the sole and upper, I'd give it the full 72, possibly with some weights inside the shoe.
posted by zamboni at 6:41 AM on November 11
posted by zamboni at 6:41 AM on November 11
Rubber cements tend perform best when they are put on both sides, left to dry, then pressed together. I've never tried that with Shoo Goo, since I haven't had the fortune of having them completely detached.
posted by advicepig at 6:54 AM on November 11
posted by advicepig at 6:54 AM on November 11
Anecdata, I did not think about this at all when I used the goo a few months back, and only applied to the most convenient surface. Shoes are currently functional.
posted by mersen at 7:00 AM on November 11
posted by mersen at 7:00 AM on November 11
Clean both surfaces, apply thin boats to both surfaces, allow to dry, press together.
Alignment can be tricky if the sole is completely detached, so it might be worth temporarily affixing one end with tape such that the untaped end aligns correctly, gluing the untaped end, removing the tape, and then gluing the previously taped end.
posted by pullayup at 7:07 AM on November 11
Alignment can be tricky if the sole is completely detached, so it might be worth temporarily affixing one end with tape such that the untaped end aligns correctly, gluing the untaped end, removing the tape, and then gluing the previously taped end.
posted by pullayup at 7:07 AM on November 11
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However: if you put the Goo on one side and just press it into the other side, uneven surfaces may not get the Goo in all the nooks and crevices. It may be a good idea to smear a thin layer of the Goo on both sides, to ensure it gets deep into crevices, then quickly press the two parts together to make the tightest bond.
But, as I said in my experience Shoe Goo is just a pretty effective flexible glue, you're very likely to see success if you just Goo one side and smoosh the parts together. Whichever method makes you feel better should work fine.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:36 AM on November 11 [2 favorites]