Sunday, April 7, 2013

How to Save Your Favorite Slipper - Part 1 of 2 - Taking Apart and Gluing the Slipper Heel

Fig.1 Slippers
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
80-grit belt sand paper
Nitrile disposable gloves
Loctite professional performance adhesive spray
Painters tarp
Saddle stitching
Sewing awl kit
Vice grips® pliers
Waxed thread 5-cord linen 35-pound tensile strength

One would think they should last a life time, more than seven, but they lasted five years. They are very comfortable and match my feet, but do I really want to start over again with new slippers. These slippers have a lambs wool upper, collared slippers in white, double-face sheepskin uppers, fully lined in genuine sheepskin, rubber sole, and a perfect size 13. With the way our economy is in 2013 the decision is to try to repair the slippers.

This post shows the eight steps on how to repair your favorite slippers. 

Step 1: Fig.1 shows these slippers were given as a Christmas gift in 2008.
Step 2: Look for a manufacturers name and see if you can find any information on the slipper. The material used may make a difference of the adhesive used to repair the slippers. If you have a ups code try to find it on the Internet using a search engine. These slippers were UPC #6-0155024776-3 but they were not found on the Internet. Look for identifying marks, like a trade name.
Step 3: First, find the problems with the slippers. Fig.2 and fig.3 shows the large gaps on the sides and the front of the slippers. The one on the left had more damage than the right. My decision was to use spray adhesive into the folds of the leather and the soles of the slippers.
Fig.2 One side
Fig.3 The other side
Step 4: Use the adhesive spray to bind the gaps in the slippers. Fig.4 shows the Loctite adhesive spray used for this project. Fig.5 shows nitrile blue gloves needed to protect the hands. This adhesive is difficult to remove of the skin.
Fig.4 Spray adhesive
Fig.5 Blue gloves
Step 5: Fig.6 shows the spring clamp, fig.7 and fig.8 shows 2-different types of Vice Grips® pliers used in this job. Place the spring clamps and the different vice grips on the shoes until the adhesive dries. Fig.8 also shows Alligator vice grip® to get one large area of the slipper.
Fig.6 Spring clamp
Fig.7 Vice Grips® pliers
Fig.8 Alligator vice 
grip®
Step 6: Now spray the adhesive into the gaps of the slippers, use the clamps to clamp on the glue and wait until dried. Fig.9 through fig.11 shows the adhesive is clear when sprayed but in seconds turns white on the slipper rubber soles. Fig.11 shows a spring clamp which has orange ends has been placed in the back of the slipper.
Fig.9 Adhesive leaking out
Fig.10 Clamp on back side
Fig.11 Clamp with spring clamp
Step 7:Fig.12 and fig.13 shows the clamps are in place ready for the adhesive to dry. Fig.12 shows the clamp on the badly damaged slipper both at the front and the back of the slipper. Fig.13 shows a more detail picture of the back of the slipper.
Fig.12 Clamped
Fig.13 Another view
Step 8: Fig.14 shows the less damaged slipper needed spring clamps at the base of the slipper.
Fig.14 Final Clamp
How to Save Your Favorite Slipper:

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

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