beachape Report post Posted November 26, 2010 Hello, I realize this is a bit of a stretch from leather-work, but I bet you folks may have some good suggestions. Can't seem to find any shoe repair forums that provide useful DIY information. I'm trying to replace top-lifts (the top rubber layer of the heel) on a pair of men's dress shoes. This just means peeling off the old layer, sanding down the wool part of the heel putting on some contact cement and attaching a new rubber layer. Then you trim off the excess rubber. The part I need help with is the final sanding or "finishing" of the edges of the rubber. After trimming with a knife, it doesn't look so great. I've tried 100 and 150 grit sandpaper...but it doesn't really do much. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to smooth out or put a good finished edge on this hard rubber? I was thinking maybe getting a dremel sanding/polishing bit and working with my drill. Not sure if this would work. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted November 26, 2010 Hello, I realize this is a bit of a stretch from leather-work, but I bet you folks may have some good suggestions. Can't seem to find any shoe repair forums that provide useful DIY information. I'm trying to replace top-lifts (the top rubber layer of the heel) on a pair of men's dress shoes. This just means peeling off the old layer, sanding down the wool part of the heel putting on some contact cement and attaching a new rubber layer. Then you trim off the excess rubber. The part I need help with is the final sanding or "finishing" of the edges of the rubber. After trimming with a knife, it doesn't look so great. I've tried 100 and 150 grit sandpaper...but it doesn't really do much. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to smooth out or put a good finished edge on this hard rubber? I was thinking maybe getting a dremel sanding/polishing bit and working with my drill. Not sure if this would work. Thanks! There is an edge kote for heels. I would imagine that would be what you need. I have seen it on sale from one of the companies that I have googled but don't remember which one, sorry. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beachape Report post Posted November 26, 2010 Sorry, It seems I wasn't clear. Essentially what I'm doing it using a knife to cut rubber. What I want to do is get a smooth finish on the rubber as opposed to the scraped/cut look of the rubber as it currently stands. I've been trying to use sand paper by hand to get a smooth finished edge...but it isn't working. It looks pretty rough even with the 160 grit. Even then it doesn't really work well at sanding down the rubber. I was wondering if anyone has experience trying to sand down a hard rubber, and what tools they used to get a smooth edge. There is an edge kote for heels. I would imagine that would be what you need. I have seen it on sale from one of the companies that I have googled but don't remember which one, sorry. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Cornelius Report post Posted November 27, 2010 You need a belt sander, table top model 4" x 36" is what I would suggest. That is how shoe shops dress the heel caps when replaced.I would use a 100 or 150 grit sanding belt. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leatherimages Report post Posted November 27, 2010 Randy has it right. It would take a belt sander to get a smooth edge on the rubber. I can't imagine getting satisfactory results any other way. I use 120 grit on my belt sander. I'd think the only problem with home set ups, would be dust created by the leather. I guess a shop vac would help there. Don't lean on the belt too much, just let the sand paper work only on the rubber until you come into the plane of the leather stacks. It sounds like you'll have to work all the scratches away too. But when that becomes even and smooth, you can finish it off by hand. Wet/Dry sand papers, with sucessively finer grits, will give you a smooth edge to the leather, if you're patient. The results you get will be proportionate to the time you spend on it. For color, you can dye it first and wipe off the dye stuff as it's drying. The you can follow it up with the Fiebings Leather Finish. It's a liquid wax, and after a couple of coats, you can burnish it with a rag and some elbow grease, and then finish with paste wax to put a shine on the heels edge. Good luck, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickybobby Report post Posted November 27, 2010 You have some additional sanding to go. Paul and Randy are right on the money. You are on the right track with cutting the excess rubber off (do not over cut) try to find a table top belt sander so you can clean up the edges. In our shop after trimming with a knife we go with 100 grit and/or 120 grit. You also need the speed of the power sander to smooth it down. Your dremel will tear that heel side up, with that small of grinding edge you will not get it very smooth, you need a larger sanding surface. Hope this helps, Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beachape Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Thanks for all your help. I really wish there was more info out there for shoe repair. It seems a belt sander is the way to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
