Skateboarding Articles

For those who've live in caves and only venture out when you need a new pair of shoes, we have some advice. Look out for bears! Bears also live in caves and are seldom deterred, from ripping you to shreds (or ripping you off - evidenced at right), by park rangers.

Now that you are no longer in danger of any bears, lets talk shoe repair. Face it, skate shoes are expensive and worth taking care of. I'm not saying you should skate like a pansy and avoid situations that might scuff yer kicks, but I wouldn't recommend screwing up a $100 pair of shoes for no good reason. Eventually, you're gonna develop a hole in the sole or the side will begin to separate from the sole. This is when you'll need a tube of Eclectic Products' Shoe Goo.

Developed in the early 70's, Shoe Goo is a gummy - or gooey - epoxy that seals, but doesn't harden. This means you can patch a hole in the sole of your shoe without the repaired area becoming hard as rock. Shoe Goo remains flexible when it has cured and lets the repair flex with the shoe. But it's not just for soul's soles. You can use it to fix the sidewall of your shoe, if it separates from the sole. If a hole develops in the side of your shoe, use Shoe Goo - it's waterproof and durable.

Repairing worn soles:

If a worn shoe has a hole that goes all the way through the sole, tape over the hole inside the shoe before applying Shoe GOO to the outer sole. This will help avoid creating a bump. The tape should be removed from the inside and all bumps smoothed out within 2 hours, before the glue is completely hard.

Waterproofing:

Shoe GOO is water resistant immediately upon application. Apply Shoe GOO directly to the surface to be sealed. Use thin coats of Shoe GOO to build a thick coating on the surface to be sealed, allowing each layer to set 3 to 4 hours. This is especially ideal for smooth surfaces, such as plastic, glass or ceramic. Shoe GOO hardens by solvent evaporation, so allow time for thorough hardening to ensure proper bonding and wear resistance.

Shoe GOO Uses:

• Rebuild your worn-out soles overnight.
• Seal rubber boots, galoshes, and waders.
• Coat and protect shoes to avoid premature wear.
• Repair damaged heels.
• Secure loose insoles.
• Reinforce skate shoes.
• Coat skateboards for extra traction.

How To Use It

1. Surface should be clean, dry and free of dirt. For best results, roughen surface before use. Best when used between 70°F and 85°F.
2. Puncture seal at the top of the tube using the pointer cap.
3. Always test a small area to ensure proper application technique and dry time. Prolonged exposure to warm water may cause discoloration and possible loss of adhesion when exposed to chemicals used in hot tubs and pools, especially in outdoor locations. May be weakened by contact with certain highly plasticized materials.
4. Apply SHOE GOO directly to each surface to be bonded or repaired. Allow SHOE GOO to partially cure, 2-10 minutes, before bringing surfaces together. SHOE GOO hardens by solvent evaporation and forms an immediate bond that is difficult to reposition after both adhesive-coated surfaces are placed in contact with each other and sufficient pressure is exerted to establish full contact.
5. Allow the repair to dry for 24 hours. Various materials will require different drying times. Cure time increases with lower temperatures and decreases with higher temperatures. Depending on the materials and the temperature, maximum strength may not be reached for 48 to 72 hours.
6. Keep threads at the neck of the tube free of SHOE GOO residue. To ensure easy cap removal, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the threads of the tube before replacing the cap.
7. Clean uncured adhesive with small amounts of acetone and paint thinner. The adhesive will ball up and brush off. Cured material may be removed by cutting or scraping.
8. Store unused SHOE GOO at room temperature with cap tightened.

SHOE GOO may damage finished surfaces. Avoid such contact until SHOE GOO is completely dry.

Shoe Goo FAQ

From their website...

• Is there a special application technique for shoe repair?
Shoe GOO is an adhesive specially formulated with extra abrasion-resistance and thickness to extend the life of all kinds of shoes. If a worn shoe has a hole that goes all the way through the sole, tape over the hole inside the shoe before applying Shoe GOO to the outer sole; this will help avoid creating a bump. The tape should be removed from the inside and all bumps smoothed out within 2 hours, before the glue is completely hard.

• Can Shoe GOO be used as a waterproof sealant?
Yes, Shoe GOO is water resistant immediately upon application. Apply Shoe GOO directly to the surface to be sealed. Use thin coats of Shoe GOO to build a thick coating on the surface to be sealed, allowing each layer to set 3 to 4 hours. This is especially ideal for smooth surfaces, such as plastic, glass or ceramic. Shoe GOO hardens by solvent evaporation, so allow time for thorough hardening to ensure proper bonding and wear resistance.

• How long does Shoe GOO take to dry?
A full cure takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the surrounding environment. With lower temperatures and higher humidity, cure time increases; with higher temperatures, cure time decreases. To speed drying time, apply heat using a hand-held dryer set on low. Hold dryer at least 6 inches from the surface.

• What temperature range does Shoe GOO withstand?
Shoe GOO can be applied in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 90°F. When cured, Shoe GOO can withstand temperatures between -40°F and 150°F.

• Can Shoe GOO stick to fishing waders and foul weather gear?
Some fisherman's waders and foul weather gear have a water-repellent coating that must be removed before Shoe GOO will adhere. Scrub the area with detergent and allow to dry. Roughen surface before applying Shoe GOO. If the bond still pulls apart, the repair must be done on the inside surface of the item, which is usually reinforced with fabric.

Read our review of Shoe Goo »

For those who've live in caves and only venture out when you need a new pair of shoes, we have some advice. Look out for fucking bears! Bears also live in caves and are seldom deterred, from ripping you to shreds (or ripping you off - evidenced at right), by park rangers.

Now that you are no longer in danger of any bears, lets talk shoe repair. Face it, skate shoes are fucking expensive and worth taking care of. I'm not saying you should skate like a little bitch to avoid situations that might scuff yer kicks, but I wouldn't recommend screwing up a $100 pair of shoes for no fucking reason. Eventually, you're gonna develop a hole in the sole or the side will begin to separate from the sole. This is when you'll need a fucking tube of Eclectic Products' Shoe Goo.

Developed in the early 70's, Shoe Goo is a gummy - or gooey - epoxy that seals, but doesn't harden. This means you can patch a hole in the sole of your shoe without the repaired area becoming hard as rock. Shoe Goo remains flexible when it has cured and lets the repair flex with the shoe. But it's not just for soul's soles. You can use it to fix the sidewall of your shoe, if it separates from the sole. If a hole develops in the side of your shoe, use Shoe Goo - it's waterproof and durable.

Repairing worn soles:

If a worn shoe has a hole that goes all the way through the sole, tape over the hole inside the shoe before applying Shoe GOO to the outer sole. This will help avoid creating a fucking bump. The tape should be removed from the inside and all bumps smoothed out within 2 hours, before the glue is completely hard.

Waterproofing:

Shoe GOO is water resistant immediately upon application. Apply Shoe GOO directly to the surface to be sealed. Use thin coats of Shoe GOO to build a thick coating on the surface to be sealed, allowing each layer to set 3 to 4 hours. This is especially ideal for smooth surfaces, such as plastic, glass or ceramic. Shoe GOO hardens by solvent evaporation (what-the-fuck-ever), so allow time for thorough hardening to ensure proper bonding and wear resistance.

Shoe GOO Uses:

• Rebuild your worn-out soles overnight.
• Seal rubber boots, galoshes, and waders.
• Coat and protect shoes to avoid premature wear.
• Repair damaged heels.
• Secure loose insoles.
• Reinforce skate shoes.
• Coat skateboards for extra fucking traction.

How To Use It

1. Surface should be clean, dry and free of dirt. For best results, roughen surface before use. Best when used between 70°F and 85°F.
2. Puncture seal at the top of the tube using the pointer cap.
3. Always test a small area to ensure proper application technique and dry time. Prolonged exposure to warm water may cause discoloration and possible loss of adhesion when exposed to chemicals used in hot tubs and pools, especially in outdoor locations. May be weakened by contact with certain highly plasticized materials.
4. Apply SHOE GOO directly to each surface to be bonded or repaired. Allow SHOE GOO to partially cure, 2-10 minutes, before bringing surfaces together. SHOE GOO hardens by solvent evaporation and forms an immediate bond that is difficult to reposition after both adhesive-coated surfaces are placed in contact with each other and sufficient pressure is exerted to establish full contact.
5. Allow the repair to dry for 24 hours. Various materials will require different drying times. Cure time increases with lower temperatures and decreases with higher temperatures. Depending on the materials and the temperature, maximum strength may not be reached for 48 to 72 hours.
6. Keep threads at the neck of the tube free of SHOE GOO residue. To ensure easy cap removal, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the threads of the tube before replacing the cap.
7. Clean uncured adhesive with small amounts of acetone and paint thinner. The adhesive will ball up and brush off. Cured material may be removed by cutting or scraping.
8. Store unused SHOE GOO at room temperature with cap tightened.

SHOE GOO may fuck up finished surfaces. Avoid such contact until SHOE GOO is completely dry.

Shoe Goo FAQ

From their website...

• Is there a special application technique for shoe repair?
Shoe GOO is an adhesive specially formulated with extra abrasion-resistance and thickness to extend the life of all kinds of shoes. If a worn shoe has a hole that goes all the way through the sole, tape over the hole inside the shoe before applying Shoe GOO to the outer sole; this will help avoid creating a bump. The tape should be removed from the inside and all bumps smoothed out within 2 hours, before the glue is completely hard.

• Can Shoe GOO be used as a waterproof sealant?
Yes, Shoe GOO is water resistant immediately upon application. Apply Shoe GOO directly to the surface to be sealed. Use thin coats of Shoe GOO to build a thick coating on the surface to be sealed, allowing each layer to set 3 to 4 hours. This is especially ideal for smooth surfaces, such as plastic, glass or ceramic. Shoe GOO hardens by solvent evaporation, so allow time for thorough hardening to ensure proper bonding and wear resistance.

• How long does Shoe GOO take to dry?
A full cure takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the surrounding environment. With lower temperatures and higher humidity, cure time increases; with higher temperatures, cure time decreases. To speed drying time, apply heat using a hand-held dryer set on low. Hold dryer at least 6 inches from the surface.

• What temperature range does Shoe GOO withstand?
Shoe GOO can be applied in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 90°F. When cured, Shoe GOO can withstand temperatures between -40°F and 150°F.

• Can Shoe GOO stick to fishing waders and foul weather gear?
Some fisherman's waders and foul weather gear have a water-repellent coating that must be removed before Shoe GOO will adhere. Scrub the area with detergent and allow to dry. Roughen surface before applying Shoe GOO. If the bond still pulls apart, the repair must be done on the inside surface of the item, which is usually reinforced with fabric.

Not just for shoes...

Imagination is the key to the many wonders of Shoe Goo. Remember, it's not just for shoes.
If your inflatable fuck-doll springs an untimely leak rely on Shoe Goo to save your special moment. Slap a dab on her and she'll be good as new.

Now THAT is a miracle product!
If you've ever had the occasion to perform such a repair on a loved-one, inflatable fuck-doll or inflatable sheep, I'm sure the folks at Eclectic Products would love to hear from you. Share your testimonial experience with them with as much detail as possible to highlight how Shoe Goo saved your relationship.

Read our review of Shoe Goo »