Answer:
Soletech and Vibram both have a replacement
polyurethane sole for the Red Wing super soles.
First, you grind the old one down and leave
about 1/8 or an inch of the original sole. (Make
it look like a midsole.) Then take the PU
replacement sole and sand the back just like
you're preparing a leather sole.
This step is very important. You have to use
a vinyl cement. Apply the vinyl cement to both
the bottom of the boot and the sole just as if
it were contact cement on any other sole
replacement job. Let it dry for 20 minutes. Put
one boot at a time with the matching sole in a
heat lamp just to warm them up a little -- about
30 seconds. Now press them together. Use a press
if you have one.
Let the boots cool for about 15 minutes, then
sand and you're all done. They come out great
and are very easy to do.
Some people use a cyanoacrylate (super glue)
to attach other soles, but this is the correct
way to replace polyurethane sole. To attach any
other sole, you have to use a cyanoacrylate.
Jim McFarland
McFarland's Shoe Repair
Lakeland, Florida
