Did you know that you can learn how to fix cracked rubber boots?
Probably not:
You see, many people just discard the rubber shoes when they develop cracks and they start letting in water. However, you can repair them and give them a new leash of life.
It will take some work though. Frugal living takes some work. However, the amount of time you will spend repairing the rubber footwear is much less than the amount of money you would spend to buy a new pair.
And let’s face it … How many pairs can you buy in a year?
If your rubber footwear has sustained cracks and it is letting in water, keep reading to see how to repair them.
Can you repair rubber boots?
Of course, you can as we have established here. Now, here is how you can do it:
First, here are the things you will need:
- A high quality sealant
- Old brush/ old toothbrush
- Sandpaper
- Detergent
- Sponge
- Dry, clean rags
Step 1: Clean the rubber boots thoroughly
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This step is very important when you are repairing all kinds of shoes. There is a reason for it too. First, you will see all the areas that need repair. In addition, repairs for footwear do not work well when they have grit, sand and other types of dirt.
When cleaning, pay special attention to the hole that you are fixing. Unless they are punctured, rubber boots are most likely to develop cracks in the areas that fold as you walk.
You can even clean the boots with detergent. Mix a little detergent with water and then dip a sponge and use it to clean the shoes.
Step 2: Mark out the cracked areas and sand them lightly
Take a pencil and mark out the areas that have cracks. You should then use masking tape to seal them. Sand these areas lightly with a minimal grit sandpaper. Of course, this is after the boot are clean and dry. Wipe the small particles away with a clean piece of cloth. Try hard to sand the edges of the crack so that they are clean.
The reason for sanding the problem areas is that you are going to use a sealant to repair them. Sealant works very best when the area is clean.
Step 3: Applying the sealant
With the cracked areas sanded and ready for repair, take the sealant and start applying it. However, be sure to read the directions of use first. Apply the sealant generously so that it can penetrate the cracks and set in well.
There is a good way to apply the sealant. First, you have to squirt a good amount straight from the tube to the cracked area. You can take an old toothbrush and spread the sealant around.
You may also use a small paintbrush to do the job. However, because the sealant dries fast, you will have to discard the brush since you will not be able to use it again.
Because of the strong smell of the sealant, use it outdoors. It dries fast so be sure to apply it in the right way so that it can set in properly by the time it dries up.
Step 4: Remove the tape and let the boots cure
While the sealant is still moist, remove the tape so that it does not dry up attached to the tape. If it does, the entire sealant could come off with the tape when you do remove it.
After removing the tape, leave the sealant to stay for the entire time that the manufacturer recommends. Mostly, it is in the range of 15 to 30 minutes. After that, take the shoes back inside and leave them to cure for about 24 hours before you can wear them.
In case you make a mistake with the sealant application, you can remove it entirely and redo it all over.
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to fix cracked rubber boots. It is so easy and it should not take too much of your time. The secret is to let the boots cure well before you wear them. We recommend that you let the boots stay for 24 hours before you can wear them.