08-17-2004, 07:11 PM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: My happy place!
Posts: 1,514
| Shoe soles
Hey all, my shoes that I've had for two years now are losing their grip (they are adidas equipment). I am not sure what is going on with them, they have become slick and hard instead of their nice rubbery-stickiness that most shoes have. Do any of you have a suggestion for me to try out? I would really like to get the rubber back to how it is meant to be. I am considering either giving them a rubdown with sandpaper, or squirting them with Windex to see if it cleans them up. (yes, I clean my soles regularly)
Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you.
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Sarah 
Probitas lauditur et alget.
Odi profanum vulgus et arceo.
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08-17-2004, 07:13 PM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DC & Vancouver
Posts: 2,040
| Eh, I dont' get special fencing shoes, I just get regular adidas shoes... they work really well. | |
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08-17-2004, 07:15 PM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: My happy place!
Posts: 1,514
| well, I'm not planning on buying new shoes anytime soon if I can help it... I am hoping on being able to fix the ones that I own now so their soles grip again, thank you though
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Sarah
Probitas lauditur et alget.
Odi profanum vulgus et arceo.
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08-17-2004, 07:41 PM
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London
Posts: 1,216
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Sarah Hey all, my shoes that I've had for two years now are losing their grip (they are adidas equipment). I am not sure what is going on with them, they have become slick and hard instead of their nice rubbery-stickiness that most shoes have. Do any of you have a suggestion for me to try out? I would really like to get the rubber back to how it is meant to be. I am considering either giving them a rubdown with sandpaper, or squirting them with Windex to see if it cleans them up. (yes, I clean my soles regularly)
Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you. | One guy I knew had an armourer take a file to his. I find that the big problem is that they collect dirt, and cleaning mine seems to work fine to keep them grippy, but mine aren't as old as yours. | |
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08-17-2004, 07:58 PM
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Haydenville, MA
Posts: 1,558
| I'd suggest like some steel wool and a mild abrasive cleaner. Perhaps it has to do with the current weather wherever you are. I really don't know that well--trial and error, perhaps. | |
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08-17-2004, 08:07 PM
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#6 | | Fencing Expert
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: greece
Posts: 3,362
| Is it really shocking that after 2 years the traction is going?
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08-17-2004, 08:57 PM
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 588
| I've seen shoes get hard in the sole when they are left in heat for too long. Mine went bad because I left them in my bag, which was in the trunk of the car all summer. I don't think you'll be able to get them back to be honest.
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08-17-2004, 09:27 PM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: My happy place!
Posts: 1,514
| ah... the heat is probably what did them in. (spending a year in Hawaii seems to not only ruin your blades but your shoes as well) Oh well, thank you all. I will try the steel wool and see if that works. Again, thank you for your ideas!
__________________
Sarah
Probitas lauditur et alget.
Odi profanum vulgus et arceo.
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08-17-2004, 09:41 PM
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004 Location: UNC
Posts: 312
| you can get them resoled but its just as well to get new shoes.
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08-18-2004, 01:50 AM
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mid Atlantic
Posts: 1,218
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Sarah ah... the heat is probably what did them in. (spending a year in Hawaii seems to not only ruin your blades but your shoes as well) Oh well, thank you all. I will try the steel wool and see if that works. Again, thank you for your ideas! | Give 'em a scrub down with acetone or laquer thinner. It'll freshen them right up. | |
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08-18-2004, 05:42 AM
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#11 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South of England
Posts: 158
| Agree with Artisan - a light solvent might dissolve off the surface. Put it on a cloth and wipe the soles (not pouring it onto the shoes) so you can control the amount. And definitely do a small test area first.
I'd suggest starting with Iso-Propyl Alcohol (tape head cleaner, also available from the pharmacist) as it's really gentle. Then nail polish remover (very dilute acetone) then white spirit or meths.
__________________ How does it work? Why doesn't it? How to fix it? How to choose equipment? Look for the answers at www.thearmourer.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk When you know everything you, should stop offering advice. | |
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