How to Glue a Shoe Sole

Even quality shoe soles begin to separate from the shoe. If you have a shoe repair shop that is convenient, you may choose to have it repaired by a professional shoe repairman. But repairing a shoe sole is not that difficult.  You can save time and money by doing it yourself. By following the steps listed below, you will be able to repair your own shoe sole:

Step 1 – Clean the Bottom of the Sole

Choose an area to repair your shoe where you can open a window and avoid breathing fumes from the potentially harmful adhesive you will be using.

Remove any dirt or debris from the bottom of the shoe's sole, allowing you to avoid the unpleasant task of having to work on a dirty shoe.

Step 2 – Remove Stitching from Shoe’s Toe

With a craft knife, remove all the stitching from the toe of the shoe so that the sole can be pulled back completely. This will allow you to access to the entire sole. Protect your work surface from unwanted glue by spreading a newspaper or other covering on your work surface. This will help you keep excess glue off your work surface.

Clean both sides of the shoe sole with soap and water, or with rubbing alcohol.

Step 3 – Use Sandpaper and Adhesive

With medium sandpaper, roughen the surface of the each side of the shoe’s sole. Roughening the surface of the sole allows the adhesive you will be using to adhere well to the surface. Before you begin adding adhesive to your shoe sole, be sure you carefully read the manufacturer’s directions and follow them closely.

Begin spreading the adhesive on both sides of the sole with a flat knife. When spreading, be sure to get the adhesive into the cracks of the sole. If the adhesive adheres to areas where you don’t want it, use a citrus-based cleaner to remove it from those areas.

Step 4 – Use a Heavy Weight

Once the sole has been glued, fit the shoe and the sole together. Then, put the shoe down on the newspaper and cover it with a plastic covering such as a trash bag. Then, place a very heavy object on top of the shoe to act as a weight so that the shoe and the sole will completely adhere to each other. Add more weight if needed.

To remove the adhesive from any tools you have used, use a citrus cleaner.

To make sure the sole and shoe have adhered together completely, allow at least 48 hours drying time.