8. SnoSealing boots that don't have them already sealed (i.e. Riedells).
As a side note, some skate specialists will permanently mount the blade with a layer of silicon between the sole and the blade plate. Other specialists will simply make sure the sole is water-proofed and screw in the blades. If you have a silicon layer, eventually the silicon will come out and it will cause your blade to come slightly loose. Usually, you'll simply need to tighten the screws on the blade, but keep an eye out to make sure the blade doesn't *shift* from the original mounting. Just mentioning since the positioning of the mounting can be the difference between skating well and skating badly. :)
Ooh thanks for the tip - my skates come with a rubber layer covering the sole of the boot (it says 'Rubber Protected', and 'genuine leather' so I guess that means rubber protecting the leather sole? I'd never have known this could have an effect!
What are the best ways to use Sno Seal?
Does it just go on the sole of the boot? i.e., do you also use it inside of the boot?
Should you wait before putting it on the sole of a new boot or can you do it right away?
How often do you reapply?
Does WD-40 work as well (ala skaterslandingtv)?
Any warnings about using Sno Seal?
(This info was in old posts, but I thought I would find out current info instead of resurrecting the old.)
"You only apply to the sole and I don't even worry about the sides that much. The most important place is where the blade attaches to the boot because the water can get under the plates and then the sole sits wet - that's when you have problems like screws falling out/stripping and screws breaking off b/c they remain wet. I also always replace all screws any time I remove a blade for service. I never replace the blade with old screws.
I use a heat gun to sno-seal boots and a sponge paint brush. I also do this a lot as I am a skate technician. It used to take me a really long time to sno-seal a pair of boots (with a hair dryer) now not so much. You want to put as many coats on as the leather will take. You will know that it cannot absorb any more wax when it won't melt into the leather anymore. I usually get about 20 - 25 coats or more on a pair of boots.
Source(s):
competitive skater - 8 years
coach - 17 years
boot fitter & skate technician - 9 years
skating mom - 7 years"
on my old blades I used lime juice to wipe rust off.You can use ketchup too. I use it to remove tarnish and rust from stuff...people laugh whenever I tell them, but it works great. :)
I wouldn't obsess about one mixup, to be frank. It was just a mistake that didn't really do any harm. The blades had probably dried by the time you put them in the bag. I think watching the friend skate was a more important lesson in sportsmanship than the one you learned about skate care, lol.
To answer your question: Have HER put the soakers inside her shoes/sneakers when she puts on the skates. That way she can't put on her shoes/sneakers without pulling out the soakers, which will be a reminder to dry the skates and put them away properly.
Harlick has some great skate-care tips on their FAQ page:wow - these 2 challenges, are experienced by other skaters too? - THANKS for these helpful! explanations.
Anyone got any tips on caring for gouges in the leather...some darlings (e.g. my brother) got too close during some lessons and I have gouges in the leather where their blade has run over my boot, I also got some from the pro shop when the took my boot for stretching (grr)
Anyone got any tips on caring for gouges in the leather...some darlings (e.g. my brother) got too close during some lessons and I have gouges in the leather where their blade has run over my boot, I also got some from the pro shop when the took my boot for stretching (grr)
Those are badges of honor! Don't cover them!!
Those are badges of honor! Don't cover them!!If YOU sliced your boot doing something, it would be a badge of honor. When someone else does it by accident, not an impressive "war story." (OKay, well a pairs/dance partner is a different story, if you were skating at the time.)
If YOU sliced your boot doing something, it would be a badge of honor. When someone else does it by accident, not an impressive "war story." (OKay, well a pairs/dance partner is a different story, if you were skating at the time.)
Note about heat guns. There are two kinds of heat guns, those sold as hardware and those sold as craft tools. Hardware heat guns get extremely hot - I have used them for bending schedule 40 PVC pipes, and believe me, you do not ever want to get one near your skates! The craft ones do not get that hot, but get hotter than a hair drier - those are the ones I've heard of people using for spot heat molding of skates.thanks - I've always thought it insane that people would use a heat gun on their skates. The one we own is for removing paint from a railing, wall or house. You can blister your hand in less than a second!
I have used a heat gun to apply sno seal before and it works wonders! I used to have to sit there with a hair dryer forever until the leather opened up enough to accept the wax. It was really quick with the heat gun. I also didn't let the gun sit in one place too long.
I use double soakers, but two at a time. It works well for me.
To keep the interior of my boots dry I put a small Pingi (http://www.amazon.com/Pingi-Dehumidifier-Sachel-grams-rechargeable/dp/B007XIZB2E/ref=pd_sim_201_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41flMTW77lL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR107%2C160_&refRID=03512MB4VR2DRTBV40WX) dehuminifier in each boot. I don't know why they're so expensive on Amazon, you may find them cheaper elsewhere.
(EDIT: It appears that the Pingi company has gone out of business. I really loved their sachet for drying out my boots. I have a couple stocked away. What's on Amazon is leftover stock.)
I wonder if you could make do with a dry rice-filled sock. People often use these to keep their boots warm (you microwave them first). Microwaving them would also get rid of some of the moisture, recharging the moisture absorbing facility.
Dry rice has sometimes been used to dry out electronics.
The packs I have been getting online are a penny for a three pack and five dollars shipping , they actually ship from England...
They are beads (probably silicone of some sort) and the instructions say when they turn to gel to replace them. I found out that the "gel" is sopping wet inside. Neat.
Are they reusable at all? It would be nice to find an eco friendly solution
If the ones you're talking about are the same as the ones I can get here, then they are indeed reusable - you dry them in a slow oven for a couple of hours. Here are the ones I use and the instructions to recharge them are in the body of the listing.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50gm-Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Moisture-Absorber-dehumidifier-dessicant-/321831357351?hash=item4aeea4cba7 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50gm-Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Moisture-Absorber-dehumidifier-dessicant-/321831357351?hash=item4aeea4cba7)
Thanks for that, I'm not particularly an environmental warrior, but I would prefer not to be sending granules of chemicals regularly to landfill :)
If the ones you're talking about are the same as the ones I can get here, then they are indeed reusable - you dry them in a slow oven for a couple of hours. Here are the ones I use and the instructions to recharge them are in the body of the listing.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50gm-Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Moisture-Absorber-dehumidifier-dessicant-/321831357351?hash=item4aeea4cba7 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50gm-Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Moisture-Absorber-dehumidifier-dessicant-/321831357351?hash=item4aeea4cba7)
I know that the Stink eEze dessicant inserts I use for my skates themselves are able to be"reactivated" I believe by putting them in the microwave. The packs I get from England are not very sturdy, once the beads turn to gel the paper packaging gets a bit soggy, I would not trust it to try to attempt to revive it. This thread has caused me to check into the rice, salt, etc. options as well,