FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We did a question and answer session with Delwyn Thornton, Shoe Repair Guru at Soles & Heels. The below responses are directly from him. Do you have questions of your own? Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer.
The crack of dawn and broken hearts. Seriously, though, less expensive shoes made of vinyl or plastic are often irreparable. But if you’re wondering, bring it in. We’ll take a look and let you know if we can repair them or if they are done.
When you buy new items, the leather should be in excellent condition. The only thing you need to do prior to use is to add several layers of protection for waterproofing and stainproofing. By doing so, you preserve the beauty and life of your items.
Winterizing your boots and shoes need to be done yearly. When you buy a brand new pair of leather or suede shoes or boots that you will be wearing in wet and/or winter conditions, it is necessary to do an initial winterizing protection of several layers to avoid ending up with irreversible water damage. You will also need to apply a once yearly touch up of winterizing protection. We can handle it for you or sell you the same products we use in our shop, so you can do it at home.
Clients are either a beginning of the season or end of the season winterizer. Either way works, as long as you maintain the once yearly schedule.
Cowboy boots are my favorite. We do all types of cowboy boots, from those used by Saturday night cowboys to serious work boots. We can do simple things like a boot heel repair to a complete rebuild. But, please, bring me your boots before you destroy them. We can restore them to like-new condition.
Many of the shoes and boots you find today may appear to be leather, but in reality are not. Don’t let high prices lure you into believing you are purchasing leather. Always look for a stamp certifying that the footwear you are buying is real leather. You get a shoe that breathes, can stretch up to a quarter size larger, is more comfortable, and can be repaired/ reconditioned for a long life. Vinyl and plastic footwear does not breath, and is usually irreparable meaning the life span is limited.
When choosing high quality leather footwear, be sure you check for solid construction. This will give you more stability. Ensure that you are buying the right size and width. Do not go up a size to accommodate a wide foot. Shoes are designed to support a foot that is the correct size for it. Your foot will move around and be uncomfortable if you do not have the right size.
We offer a variety of repairs for purses and handbags, including zipper repairs, leather conditioning, fixing tears and rips, and repairing handles. We regularly shorten straps to improve carrying comfort. You can also have your shoe repair shop apply waterproofing and stain resistant protection to your purse to prolong its life.