The best cork sealant for Birkenstock is latex glue. Latex glue looks a little like wood glue or PVA except it is waterproof when set. Latex glue is dirt cheap and latex is a component of the Birk sole. All the other sealants do not even come close. Latex not only seals but also fills any cracks and gaps. Latex glue is also great in glueing rubber soles when they peel off, the only problem is that it is not sticky , so you need to press the surfaces together for a day until it sets.
Elmer glue is PVA. It works only if your sandal doesn’t come into contact with water. PVA is not exactly water proof. Latex glue is the one that works super well. Basically it is latex and when it sets, it is waterproof and bonds naturally to the latex in the Birk footbed. Latex glue looks very much like Elmer glue but cheaper. I am not sure if you can find it everywhere but in natural rubber producing countries in South East Asia, it is dirt cheap.
Thank you for the video. I will definitely try the paint brush. I saw another cork sealant video which mentions sanding down the old cork sealant before applying a new coat. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you recommend or have had any issues? Also, found that where the old cork sealant frays or pulls loose from the cork (for me toes and heels), I am tempted to cut it with small scissor until it gets to portions that are still sticking properly. Thoughts?
What is the chemical composition of the sealant? If I'm not mistaken that's silicone adhesive. Do I really need to buy something just for my sandals when I have a partial tube of stuff lying around all ready from a home repair job. Now I'm wondering how hard is it to glue a strip of leather around the outside of the cork and coat the outside of that with bees wax to further seal it. Just a thought ... I knew some one who over came being pigeon toed by adopting a different walking stance for a summer. He was told to walk with legs apart enough that if at any moment some one were to throw a soft ball between his knees it pass through clean. The next year at school he walked straight. Some times when he's walking with his hands in his pockets he looks like a ambling cowboy, but that's just part of his character.
Well cork floors are sealed with urethane. I found some one saying Birks can be repaired with Elmer's glue. You are saying cork needs to breathe, but sealer by definition does not breathe. If cork could breath wine bottles wouldn't be sealed air tight. i know that automotive gaskets can be made of cork and there are gasket adhesives that binds those gaskets to metal. It can't imagine that they wouldn't smooth on easily and seal cork. If they didn't apply smoothly then they wouldn't work. Anything that can bound to metal is tough as nails. Does any of this sound like a bad thing? If what I'm proposing works it might seal Birkenstocks longer than the life of the souls. Yes they might look a little different, but that's how I'll know they're mine when I go to the pool. You have found basic process that works, and I wish you and your shoes great happiness. I like to know how the world works, so I'm going to find some old wine corks, go into my garage full of chemicals and play mad scientist. I may not reinvent the wheel, but I might learn a few things. Cheers.
I went online to see how to repair a footbed crack on my Birks, and had trouble finding anything. The crack you showed in your sandals is in the exact place as mine, so I think I found my repair instructions, plus learned about cork conditioning. I like to take care of my gear, so thanks for this!
what size do you wear US vs. European? I'm trying to figure out what to buy. my,foot is pretty weird. And ranges from usually 6-7 and sometimes 7.5. but usually 7. idk what to get. what size do you recommend?
I have the same issue! I usually wear 6-7 and sometimes 7.5 since i have wide feet. I wear a 37 regular and it fits PERFECTLY!!!!! I would recommend a 37 if you are more towards the 7-7.5 but maybe a 36 if you are towards a 6-6.5 as for the width, if you have wide/regular feet then get regular but if you have narrow feet then narrow
i put the birkenstock sealant on the leather, a thin coat, and i was wondering if there was anyway to fix it? i was thinking of buying saddle soap but idk if that would work
quotidianlight i was doing some research and theres a suede kit at walmart for 4.99 and a brush for 13.99 and there is one place in winnipeg called shoe doctor that would repair it but id rather find a cheaper way if i can
Thanks for the info. I finally bought my own pair last year, and love them. I tend to wear the heel down very fast, and now just noticed that the cork needed attention as well. This will save me money for the future, as I will be able to do this myself.
If you wear them alot, it's better to do it every three months but the glue you use is also important, if you use the Birkenstock brand glue I think the solution can last longer than the random one you get from other places
The best cork sealant for Birkenstock is latex glue.
Latex glue looks a little like wood glue or PVA except it is waterproof when set.
Latex glue is dirt cheap and latex is a component of the Birk sole. All the other sealants do not even come close. Latex not only seals but also fills any cracks and gaps.
Latex glue is also great in glueing rubber soles when they peel off, the only problem is that it is not sticky , so you need to press the surfaces together for a day until it sets.
excelent point, what brands did you use?
the sealant will seal the cracks in cork? which it looks like it did on your video
I have heard elmer's glue works on the cork as well, has anyone else tried that?
Elmer glue is PVA. It works only if your sandal doesn’t come into contact with water.
PVA is not exactly water proof. Latex glue is the one that works super well. Basically it is latex and when it sets, it is waterproof and bonds naturally to the latex in the Birk footbed. Latex glue looks very much like Elmer glue but cheaper. I am not sure if you can find it everywhere but in natural rubber producing countries in South East Asia, it is dirt cheap.
Don't get it all over the black part next time! Looks kinda crappy that way.
How often should I re seal the cork? I just bought my first pair and I would want to maximize the life of the sandals.
isn't a wood glue good also?
I LOVE my Birks! I wear them every single day, and have done so since I got them 2 years ago! I need to invest in a second pair.
Cork sealer...aka Elmer's glue.
Thank you for the video. I will definitely try the paint brush. I saw another cork sealant video which mentions sanding down the old cork sealant before applying a new coat. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you recommend or have had any issues? Also, found that where the old cork sealant frays or pulls loose from the cork (for me toes and heels), I am tempted to cut it with small scissor until it gets to portions that are still sticking properly. Thoughts?
What is the chemical composition of the sealant? If I'm not mistaken that's silicone adhesive. Do I really need to buy something just for my sandals when I have a partial tube of stuff lying around all ready from a home repair job. Now I'm wondering how hard is it to glue a strip of leather around the outside of the cork and coat the outside of that with bees wax to further seal it. Just a thought ...
I knew some one who over came being pigeon toed by adopting a different walking stance for a summer. He was told to walk with legs apart enough that if at any moment some one were to throw a soft ball between his knees it pass through clean. The next year at school he walked straight. Some times when he's walking with his hands in his pockets he looks like a ambling cowboy, but that's just part of his character.
Well cork floors are sealed with urethane. I found some one saying Birks can be repaired with Elmer's glue. You are saying cork needs to breathe, but sealer by definition does not breathe. If cork could breath wine bottles wouldn't be sealed air tight. i know that automotive gaskets can be made of cork and there are gasket adhesives that binds those gaskets to metal. It can't imagine that they wouldn't smooth on easily and seal cork. If they didn't apply smoothly then they wouldn't work. Anything that can bound to metal is tough as nails. Does any of this sound like a bad thing? If what I'm proposing works it might seal Birkenstocks longer than the life of the souls. Yes they might look a little different, but that's how I'll know they're mine when I go to the pool.
You have found basic process that works, and I wish you and your shoes great happiness. I like to know how the world works, so I'm going to find some old wine corks, go into my garage full of chemicals and play mad scientist. I may not reinvent the wheel, but I might learn a few things. Cheers.
Wouldn’t rubbing alcohol dry out the cork ?
I went online to see how to repair a footbed crack on my Birks, and had trouble finding anything. The crack you showed in your sandals is in the exact place as mine, so I think I found my repair instructions, plus learned about cork conditioning. I like to take care of my gear, so thanks for this!
Where did you buy this product
Does it exist in France
I Owen 30 pairs that's including the shoes,boots,and sandals. That the brand I wear.
want to know how to clean it from th in side
I was pigeon toed as a kid. I had to wear forest gump braces :/
what size do you wear US vs. European? I'm trying to figure out what to buy. my,foot is pretty weird. And ranges from usually 6-7 and sometimes 7.5. but usually 7. idk what to get. what size do you recommend?
+quotidianlight thanks. I can't wait to get a pair !
I have the same issue! I usually wear 6-7 and sometimes 7.5 since i have wide feet. I wear a 37 regular and it fits PERFECTLY!!!!! I would recommend a 37 if you are more towards the 7-7.5 but maybe a 36 if you are towards a 6-6.5 as for the width, if you have wide/regular feet then get regular but if you have narrow feet then narrow
Is ok to use detergent to wash it?
This looks like and does just what Artist's Acrylic Medium does.....and that is not very expensive.
i put the birkenstock sealant on the leather, a thin coat, and i was wondering if there was anyway to fix it? i was thinking of buying saddle soap but idk if that would work
quotidianlight i tried wiping it off but it doesnt and its just super shiny
quotidianlight ok thanks do you know where i could buy a suede brush
quotidianlight i was doing some research and theres a suede kit at walmart for 4.99 and a brush for 13.99 and there is one place in winnipeg called shoe doctor that would repair it but id rather find a cheaper way if i can
does cork sealer for a handle of fishing rod work as well?
Water based polyurethane sealant will do the job. You can get a 25 oz can for $10.
Thank you
Thanks for the info. I finally bought my own pair last year, and love them. I tend to wear the heel down very fast, and now just noticed that the cork needed attention as well. This will save me money for the future, as I will be able to do this myself.
Thanks for the the video! How often do you reseal your Birks? Thanks!
*****
Thanks for your quick reply!
If you wear them alot, it's better to do it every three months but the glue you use is also important, if you use the Birkenstock brand glue I think the solution can last longer than the random one you get from other places
I purchased a pair of Birkenstock Gizeh about a week ago. When do you think I should seal the cork again? Great channel by the way!
Have the show mold to you first,so if you haven't probably now