Frayed laces

Metric Kate

18/02/2012 at 20:07

I've got a pair of bootlaces that have lost their wee plasticy stiffeners at the end and are fraying. I can't re-thread them through the eyelets on the boots because of this. What's the best way to resurrect them? I've tried wrapping gaffer tape over the ends, but it pulls off.

thanks

cathyjc

18/02/2012 at 20:10

I have used Seloptape, wound on very tightly. Just a short length or it gets too bulky.
Only a temporary repair but effective.

Cumbrian Canary

18/02/2012 at 20:11

It's called an aglet, but no idea what to do when it comes off!

alexander rae

18/02/2012 at 20:13

I dont suppose melting the fluffy bit with a flame would help ?, dont burn your fingers though.

Addick

18/02/2012 at 20:13

Super glue

Beaker

18/02/2012 at 20:14

I melt the ends with a lighter and squidge the soft ends together with wet fingers. Does the job and doesn't need to be done again. So far anyway.

Big Kev

18/02/2012 at 20:16

Depending on what the laces are made of, you could try trimming the ends and then seal with a flame of some description.

Trouble no one about their religion;

respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.

~Chief Tecumseh~

Metric Kate

18/02/2012 at 20:23

Thanks, guys. Am trying the burning approach, it'll just depend whether the squidged ends are stiff enough to push through the eyes.

CC, thanks for 'increasing my word power'

AT (http://AyrshireTiger.wordpress.com/)

18/02/2012 at 20:24

Like Cathy I've used sellotape

Metric Kate

18/02/2012 at 20:27

I should have used wet fingers though

alexander rae

18/02/2012 at 20:28

Was just going to say, dont burn your fingers, wetting is good

Kish Logan

18/02/2012 at 20:48

See Ian's guide to repairing aglets.

I read little else.

Simo

18/02/2012 at 21:25

I think Ian's shoelace site is pretty comprehensive

I have used duct tape previously, rather than trying to make the end good it's easier if you sacrifice an inch or so.Apply the tape about half an inch up from the frayed end, its even better if you can grip it in a vice ( or a window works )

Pull the lace tight and then try and wrap the tape around tightly, then cut the old frayed bit off.

* Diddi * Im on Mars btw !!!

18/02/2012 at 21:40

burn and squish.

Mole

19/02/2012 at 01:15

candlewax . lasts long enough to rethread the lace. not so burning on the fingertips

alexander rae

19/02/2012 at 06:32

Kish Logan wrote (see)

See Ian's guide to repairing aglets.
I read little else.

I got some some shrink wrap from Maplin in a wee bag .

unless you know a friendly electrician.

Edited: 19/02/2012 at 06:34

Rog the rab whore

19/02/2012 at 08:06

I remember this happened me years ago on a trek across Scotland. I found an empty coke can and picked some loose tarmac/rubber (the stuff in between concrete?) from the road. I heated it on the piece off the coke can and then dipped the shoe lace end into the liquefied tarmac/rubber.....worked a treat.

Simo

19/02/2012 at 08:39

Rog the rab whore wrote (see)

I remember this happened me years ago on a trek across Scotland. I found an empty coke can and picked some loose tarmac/rubber (the stuff in between concrete?) from the road. I heated it on the piece off the coke can and then dipped the shoe lace end into the liquefied tarmac/rubber.....worked a treat.

I thought I was quite resourceful in a tight spot, but that's impressive !

Paddy Dillon

19/02/2012 at 08:44

I go for the melting method. Most laces seem to melt fine, but a few don't, so they require other methods... such as a blob of glue. I also melt guyline ends as a matter of course. I once had laces that started fraying so alarmingly that halfway through the day they looked like pom-poms bouncing around on my shoes!

Simo

19/02/2012 at 08:50

Yep, I remember my mum melting the ends of things when I was small, or heating a skewer up on the hob to melt a hole in plastic. Some laces are made from hair like material and don't melt they just burn or smoulder.

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