So last week I asked whether I should fix my beloved Birkenstocks. The response was an overwhelming "Yes!" I received a lot of really good advice on what to use as the binding agent for the cork bed and leather. A few readers suggested using contact cement for leather, but the general consensus was that the glue had to be strong but flexible enough to withstand the movement of the shoe.
I settled on this $2 contact cement that my local hardware store recommended. The owner even gave me a few tips - to wait for the glue to dry for a few minutes before gluing the pieces together; and to clamp the pieces together for at least 12 hours.
What you need:
Damp towel
Tooth pick
Contact cement (or equivalent for leather)
Anything heavy, I used books.
Clean Surface
I made sure the surface I wanted to be glued was clean - a damp towel should do the trick, but make sure the surface is dried completely before gluing.
Apply Adhesive
I applied the adhesive on both surfaces and waited for at least 10 minutes for it to dry. A toothpick came in handy in the spreading.
Stick Together
Take time to do this. It's not like sticking sellotape onto paper. Carefully apply pressure to all areas of the surface that needs to be glued together, and then clamp it. I didn't have a clamp so I took all my books and placed them on top of my Birks!
Done!
I will be out and about with these and I'll update you all if it lasts :-) Til next Friday!
This post is part of the Fix It Friday series.
Shoes are so expensive. $2 contact cement is definitely the way to go when you still can!
ReplyDeleteIt was between buying a new good quality pair at >$100 or fixing for $2. I took the latter option!
DeleteI hope it works! Would be such a shame to throw them away :)
ReplyDeleteI know, and they have moulded around my feet so they are really comfortable.
DeleteI hate it when my favorite shoes break. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI love this and must try! I have tried to glue a pair of sandals that broke in the past and it did not work at all.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that this glue works; some are not flexible enough.
DeleteWow! I love how innovative and creative you are with fixing things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tip! I would never think to do that.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works I know how it is to have a favorite pair of shoes break especially a pair that's expensive like those.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. So far they've survived the rain. It suddenly rained over the weekend and I had these on. Fortunately, they didn't break !
DeleteYou are so meticulous! The price of one pair of Birkenstocks goes up and up every time i see them, so I have one and only pair for a long time and this is timely!
ReplyDelete