Filling a gap (and making a mess...)

onyourtoes · 20th January 2003, 18:41

The problem:

I have a pair of 7 inch heels where the ball of the foot is partway up the arch. Partway to a ballet heel type of shoe. See forum Ultraheels post "These are interesting" for more information.

I'm pointing to the ball of my foot.
http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1041639140.jpg

The problem is when standing my foot slides down, there's a gap at my heel, the throat of the shoe cuts my foot, and I can't walk 3 steps without holding on to something.

The obvious solution to me is to put something under the balls of my feet, sort of a hidden platform. I tried stuffing Kleenex and such under my foot and into the toes to keep my foot up and not sliding forward. This worked to a degree but usually too much or too little, and never both matching. And just as hard to get right the next time.

I was in the hardware store (ironmonger's?) and saw a can of expanding insulation. This product comes out of an aerosol can like shaving cream, expands to fill the space to be insulated, and hardens into a dense plastic foam. It's hard, but compressable and springs back. Seemed perfect for filling platforms...

http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087127.jpg

It hardens like this:
http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087165.jpg

The can has a 6 inch or so long tube attached for the stuff to come out of.

I put my feet into plastic bags, put on the shoes, inserted the tube under the ball of my foot, and pushed the squirt nozzle. A most bizarre feeling of compression for sure!

The instructions on the can said the stuff hardens in an hour so I laid down with a good book and waited.

After 1 1/4 hours the test mound of the stuff I squirted on a piece of paper was pretty stiff so I pulled the shoes off. The bags came off with my feet and pulled out quite a bit of the still soft foam.

I was into it this far, so I put the shoes aside until the next day. I cleaned up the small amount that had squished out around the edges and tried the shoes on.

http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087596.jpg

The surface of the platforms was not too smooth, but it actually worked. I could walk in them.

http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087886.gif

If I ever decide to try it again, I'll do it at night and sleep with the shoes on.

Final note, the stuff is very sticky and eventually dries up in the delivery tube and can't be used anymore. I may try opening the tube up, but am not confident of success. I bought it on sale for $2.99, but I think it usually sells for closer to $10 per can.

Don't try it on your Manolo Blahniks

Arctic · 20th January 2003, 19:30

Hey, this is a brilliant idea.

This problem occurs too if you wear shoes one size too small but have a big toebox. I have tens of pairs of those.

If I could find a way to do this without risking expensive shoes...

What about silicone? I could give this a shot with construction silicone! In a condom perhaps?

But how am I going to pull that off with boots? Can't squeeze the nozzle down for 50cm/20"... I guess the zip has to be closed for at least a few inches to make it all fit decently.

I got to think this over for a while!

Thanks for the idea!

Bert

onyourtoes · 20th January 2003, 20:33

I think the problem with silicone in a condom is it will never harden. Read the label, sometimes heat will cure it. Maybe enough heat for the silicon but not enough to ruin the shoes.

I've used Bondo type auto body filler and boat fiberglass epoxy, too. They are 2 part mixes so will cure without air, but they'd probably dissolve the latex or whatever other flexible material you put them in.

I've raised and even made entire new heels with the stuff.

Maybe there's a 2 part mix that dries soft. It seems familiar, but I can't quite remember what it was for.

Sometimes I just wander around the hardware store looking for shoe modification materials/tools. If you do much of this type of stuff, a Dremel Moto-Tool or equivalent is a great investment.

Dr. Shoe · 20th January 2003, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

Maybe there's a 2 part mix that dries soft. It seems familiar, but I can't quite remember what it was for.

I think the stuff you're thinking of is Dentex used by dentists for making an impression of your teeth.

Also, back to the expanding foam stuff, you're supposed to clean the nozzle with solvent after use and leave the tube to soak. If memeory serves I think white spirit will do it but it will almost certainly tell you on the tin.

hoverfly · 20th January 2003, 22:37

Mold release spray. Used for plastic injection molds and fiberglass lay up molds. Some versions are Teflon based. Just spray it on the out side bag before inserting the foot.

onyourtoes · 20th January 2003, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Shoe

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

Maybe there's a 2 part mix that dries soft. It seems familiar, but I can't quite remember what it was for.

I think the stuff you're thinking of is Dentex used by dentists for making an impression of your teeth.

No, I wasn't thinking of that, but at least it proves that such a material exists.

Quote:

Also, back to the expanding foam stuff, you're supposed to clean the nozzle with solvent after use and leave the tube to soak. If memeory serves I think white spirit will do it but it will almost certainly tell you on the tin.

Unfortunately in the US, that would involve recommending the consumer to use a possibly hazardous solvent without giving proper product warnings. Without safety instructions we might decide to taste it, clean our contact lenses in it, or light it on fire to help it dry faster.

My orbital sander came with enough warnings to make me believe I could win a war by giving it to the enemy.

My digital camera instructions include the warning that placing it on an unstable surface might cause it to fall causing personal harm -- and it's marked with the symbol that means death could occur if unheeded...

High Surprise · 19th June 2003, 00:39

Onyourtoes - where are those shoes from? They are fantastic! I want a pair. They look nice and high! Love the heel!

http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1041639140.jpg

mk4625 · 19th June 2003, 01:05

I've seen a similar pair with a 6-6 1/2 inch funnel-shaped heel on the Pierre Silber site. It's called "The High Life Pump".

High Surprise · 19th June 2003, 07:50

I shall take a look. Thanks!

raccoon · 19th June 2003, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Surprise

Onyourtoes - where are those shoes from? They are fantastic! I want a pair.

Hi,
I saw the very same style on a Dutch web store. They don't do deliveries abroad however....
I don't know the brand but the style is called Ellie A. Perhaps this will help you find them.
They come in sizes upto 45eur FYI.

20th January 2003, 18:41	#1 (permalink)
onyourtoes I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New England, USA Age: 63 Posts: 346 Thanks: 4 Thanked 22 Times in 14 Posts I am Male Rep Power: 12	Filling a gap (and making a mess...) The problem: I have a pair of 7 inch heels where the ball of the foot is partway up the arch. Partway to a ballet heel type of shoe. See forum Ultraheels post "These are interesting" for more information. I'm pointing to the ball of my foot. http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1041639140.jpg The problem is when standing my foot slides down, there's a gap at my heel, the throat of the shoe cuts my foot, and I can't walk 3 steps without holding on to something. The obvious solution to me is to put something under the balls of my feet, sort of a hidden platform. I tried stuffing Kleenex and such under my foot and into the toes to keep my foot up and not sliding forward. This worked to a degree but usually too much or too little, and never both matching. And just as hard to get right the next time. I was in the hardware store (ironmonger's?) and saw a can of expanding insulation. This product comes out of an aerosol can like shaving cream, expands to fill the space to be insulated, and hardens into a dense plastic foam. It's hard, but compressable and springs back. Seemed perfect for filling platforms... http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087127.jpg It hardens like this: http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087165.jpg The can has a 6 inch or so long tube attached for the stuff to come out of. I put my feet into plastic bags, put on the shoes, inserted the tube under the ball of my foot, and pushed the squirt nozzle. A most bizarre feeling of compression for sure! The instructions on the can said the stuff hardens in an hour so I laid down with a good book and waited. After 1 1/4 hours the test mound of the stuff I squirted on a piece of paper was pretty stiff so I pulled the shoes off. The bags came off with my feet and pulled out quite a bit of the still soft foam. I was into it this far, so I put the shoes aside until the next day. I cleaned up the small amount that had squished out around the edges and tried the shoes on. http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087596.jpg The surface of the platforms was not too smooth, but it actually worked. I could walk in them. http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1043087886.gif If I ever decide to try it again, I'll do it at night and sleep with the shoes on. Final note, the stuff is very sticky and eventually dries up in the delivery tube and can't be used anymore. I may try opening the tube up, but am not confident of success. I bought it on sale for $2.99, but I think it usually sells for closer to $10 per can. Don't try it on your Manolo Blahniks

20th January 2003, 22:37	#5 (permalink)
hoverfly I'm a Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New England USA Age: 37 Posts: 1,936 Thanks: 14 Thanked 9 Times in 2 Posts I am Male Rep Power: 28	Mold release spray. Used for plastic injection molds and fiberglass lay up molds. Some versions are Teflon based. Just spray it on the out side bag before inserting the foot. __________________ Hello, my name is Hoverfly. I am a high heel addict…. Weeeeeeeeeee!!!

19th June 2003, 00:39	#7 (permalink)
High Surprise I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: constantly between UK & Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 687 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts I'm a Girl Rep Power: 13	Re: Filling a gap (and making a mess...) Onyourtoes - where are those shoes from? They are fantastic! I want a pair. They look nice and high! Love the heel! http://65.160.96.70/hhplace/images/1041639140.jpg

19th June 2003, 01:05	#8 (permalink)
mk4625 I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 760 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts I am Male Rep Power: 15	I've seen a similar pair with a 6-6 1/2 inch funnel-shaped heel on the Pierre Silber site. It's called "The High Life Pump". __________________ Michael

20th January 2003, 19:30	#2 (permalink)
Arctic I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY suburbs Posts: 849 Thanks: 16 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts I am Male Rep Power: 17	Hey, this is a brilliant idea. This problem occurs too if you wear shoes one size too small but have a big toebox. I have tens of pairs of those. If I could find a way to do this without risking expensive shoes... What about silicone? I could give this a shot with construction silicone! In a condom perhaps? But how am I going to pull that off with boots? Can't squeeze the nozzle down for 50cm/20"... I guess the zip has to be closed for at least a few inches to make it all fit decently. I got to think this over for a while! Thanks for the idea! Bert

20th January 2003, 20:33	#3 (permalink)
onyourtoes I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New England, USA Age: 63 Posts: 346 Thanks: 4 Thanked 22 Times in 14 Posts I am Male Rep Power: 12	I think the problem with silicone in a condom is it will never harden. Read the label, sometimes heat will cure it. Maybe enough heat for the silicon but not enough to ruin the shoes. I've used Bondo type auto body filler and boat fiberglass epoxy, too. They are 2 part mixes so will cure without air, but they'd probably dissolve the latex or whatever other flexible material you put them in. I've raised and even made entire new heels with the stuff. Maybe there's a 2 part mix that dries soft. It seems familiar, but I can't quite remember what it was for. Sometimes I just wander around the hardware store looking for shoe modification materials/tools. If you do much of this type of stuff, a Dremel Moto-Tool or equivalent is a great investment.

19th June 2003, 07:50	#9 (permalink)
High Surprise I'm a Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: constantly between UK & Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 687 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts I'm a Girl Rep Power: 13	I shall take a look. Thanks!