PREPARATION

Despite the fact that it is possible to glue all out products without roughening, our recommendation is that it is always advisable to roughen all surfaces to be glued. To carry out this operation we recommend using abrasive paper with quite large grains (number 36 is an ideal size). Roughen all the area to be glued using a circular motion. We recommend carrying out this operation shortly before applying the glue, to ensure that the surfaces remain free of dust or other impurities which could compromise the effectiveness of the glue. We also recommend lightly roughening Vibram products which are bought already roughened, both in order to remove any dust deposited during transit (for this reason it is advisable to keep products in the original packaging until use to keep them clean and ready for use, even after months of storage), and also because with the passage of time and exposure to light the rubber can develop a thin film which can inhibit the glueing process (despite the fact that our products include substances which protect against the natural aging process of the rubber and the effects of exposure to sunlight).

GLUEING

Rubber - Rubber : Once both surfaces to be glued have been roughened, a uniform layer of glue must be applied to both surfaces, making sure that application is conducted using a circular motion and a light pressure with the brush: to better illustrate the idea we detail the words that a master shoe maker would say to an apprentice "remember that you are applying glue, not paint!" After leaving the glue to dry for the required time, which varies depending on the type and make, the two surfaces should be placed together and pressure applied using a hammer or press.

Rubber - Leather: the operation is essentially the same as for rubber - rubber, the only difference being that it could prove necessary to apply a second coat of adhesive to the leather, because being more porous the glue will tend to dry more rapidly and this difference could compromise the final result.

Rubber - PVC Rubber - Pu Rubber - TR: There is not one system for all of these material types, principally because the same materials PVC, PU, TR can have different forms: more or less elastic, with surfaces more or less smooth and oily, and with different degrees of hardness. Based on tests conducted periodically by master shoe makers on our products, we can detail the following operations:

(A) Use an initial coat of the correct PRIMER for this material ONLY on this material, not on the rubber sole
(B) Allow the Primer to dry, following closely the manufacturer's instructions supplied.
(C) Apply the correct adhesive to both surfaces to be glued.
(D) Wait until the glue has dried, press the surfaces together, and if a press is used make sure the pressure does not deform the two surfaces.

If this method does not work, the only other alternative is to use cyano - acrylic glues, that should be managed with the correct precautions.

Special glueing procedures - replacement of high edged mountaineering or work shoe soles

To effect these glueing processes, we recommend the following procedure:

(A) Apply an initial layer of glue to both surfaces.
(B) Leave the adhesive to dry completely for about 2 to 3 hours
(C) Apply a second coat of adhesive to both surfaces
(D) Leave to dry for the correct time and then press the surfaces together

As an alternative to this procedure it is possible to use an activator in the glue enabling the use of one coat of glue only to obtain the same result. In the correct section of the Vibram Product Catalogue you will find descriptions of the various products and the recommended glue type to be used for each different Vibram rubber.

FINISHING

After removing all excess glue with a shoemaker's knife or another suitable tool, finishing of the shoe is normally carried out by following the three stages detailed below:

(A) Edge trimming.
(B) Finishing.
(C) Buffing.

Some advice from our experts:
the finer the grain of paper used for the final buffing the glossier and brighter will be the final effect of the Vibram rubber.
For users of GUMLITE, MORFLEX, AIRSOFT during the trimming phase using a mechanical miller or fine gauge paper, the rubber will tend to heat up slightly and shrink a little; wait some minutes before carrying out the following phase to let the material cool.
Please remember that Vibram rubber will end up slightly darker if you have chosen to use a darker colour for the finished product.