So a stripper trips into a pole....

Mommas started this discussion · 8/6/2013

I do a lot of repairs and have just about had it with stripper shoes. Theyre so friggin expensive and it seems just when Ive helped one of my girls finally break a pair in they completely disassemble themselves (and often on stage yikes) into oblivion. Ive had enough of seeing an offending heel fling a girl face first into the mirrored walls because it wanted to divorce her foot permanently. Please help. I have a few pairs of discards on which to experiment on and so far its not looking good.

18 replies

chemgoddess1 · 8/6/2013
I am unsure what help you are seeking?
Cherished · 8/6/2013
I've never had a problem like that with my shoes and I use them all the time when I practice. What brand do you use and in what way do they fall apart? My favorite brand is Tony Shoes. My first pair started to break after about 3 years (The plastic strap that covers over the top of the foot eventually tore off) so I don't think that's bad for all the use I got out of them. Also as far as price maybe you can find something cheaper on Ebay or check adult stores. I was able to get Pleasers on sale at a shop in town for $35. As far as your girls falling on shoes if it has to do with grip try scrubbing the soles down with sand paper - that has really helped me with breaking in shoes fast.
darcit · 8/6/2013
What brand of shoes are they getting? Because I've used mine hard (for work) and with a few exceptions I've never had those problems. I've completely worn the soles off of a pair of Pleasers and had nothing break. I've found Pleasers and Ellies to both be very sturdy. And I would agree that $35 should be a reasonable price for a basic pair of Pleasers. Snaz75.com is where I usually get mine. The shoes that I have had break before they were completely worn out were usually the more elaborate shoes not the basic models. They almost always broke where either the ankle strap or the part that goes across your toes connects to the shoe. Sometimes these can be re-connected with something like Gorilla Glue, but it is usually a temporary fix. I've seen people take less sturdy shoes when they're new and put Duct Tape on the inside of the part that goes over your toes all the way around (sole of the shoe too) to help minimize the stress on the joint between the toe strap and the shoe base. I've never done it - but maybe that would be something to try?
Cherished · 8/6/2013
...Also here is a vid that offers some solutions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2UpPparJjw
StripXpertease · 8/8/2013
Thanks for the video bump. :)
Mommas · 8/12/2013
sorry for the delay everyone I was having problems with my account. Alright so heres more details: currently attempting repairs on 2 "pleasers" and 1 "reflection shoes" (I think it says reflection the print is a bit faded). One pleaser has the soles coming completely off, seriously the entire sole is separating from the rest of the heel. The other two are pretty normal tears happening at the toes/lower foot strap (tearing at seam where sole connects to heel) and at beginner strap also where it meets the sole. Im looking for a more perm fix as everything Ive found and tried has turned out to be nothing more than temporary. Im about to look into that vid link and hope to find some answers there but honestly Im looking to seriously beef these things up- I may even look into attempting to sink a bolt from sole to heel into the problem areas just to be sure theres a point of reinforcement at the areas that seem to suffer the most stress. I dont know if its a brand quality issue or an environment issue (as in the excessive heat here in the desert) but nothing seems to last more than a few months, 1 year max to my knowledge. And cost of shoe doesnt seem to correlate to length of lifespan either. Duct tape doesnt sound like a pretty option but Ill keep it in mind it would be a great reinforcement to the black pairs thinking gorilla tape.
CapFeb · 8/12/2013
I hate pleasers and refuse to pay for another pair ever again. The sole lifting is a huge issue that seems to be taking place in the SW. I don't know if it's the heat that's making the glue come undone or what! I was at work the other day and a girl bought a brand new pair of Pleasers and after 6 hours the sole was already lifting. My advice would be to get the girls to wear boots--cowboy boots, sexy boots--the cowboots boots only last about 4-6 months, but that's only $60/year for footwear instead of the $150 I seem to pay for typical heels. Pleaser's boots last a looonngg time. I work 4 days a week, 12 hour shifts on Friday and Saturday, and use my boots about two shifts a week. And they're still going strong with no breakage of anything but the rubber pads at the bottom. The nose of the shoe is a little scuffed, but I fix that with black nail polish.
PoleFitMom · 8/12/2013
Have you tried using e-6000? It is a super strong epoxy found at craft stores. Might be worth a shot! xoxo
LovesIt · 8/12/2013
The sole has peeled off every pair of Pleasers I have, starting at the toe. Agree it doesn't matter what the cost, happens whether $-$$$. I've tried gluing but it's only temporary. The boots I bought ripped across the top of the foot on the 5th wear. I pole twice a week, and a pair of shoes seems to only last a few months, tops. I'm at a loss of what to do, I was thinking of taking them to a shoe repair but can't imagine the looks I'll get walking in with 6 pairs 🙊
HellOnHeelsNH · 8/13/2013
Gorilla glue... Works and stays :)
HellOnHeelsNH · 8/13/2013
Gorilla glue... Works and stays :)
Mommas · 8/13/2013
gorilla glue was a no go- didnt last longer than a week for minor lifting. Im going to give that e-6000 stuff a go, heck why not ive tried everything else lol. and hey dont even stress bringing it in to a shoe repair- if the dude doesnt want work and hates making money for his business he'll look sideways at you. Walk in like you own the place because given the amount of cash working polers bring as far as work goes with time you just might lol. Who gives a crud how they feel, if they dont want your business (and 6 pairs is A LOT of business, guys out here try to cater to strippers because their business is so regular) find a nice business that does. They treat you right, they deserve your hard earned money.
chemgoddess1 · 8/13/2013
The issue is that acrylic is not an easy material to stick to. If you are going to try to reglue the shoes you HAVE to rough up the surface of the acrylic before adding any glue. Have you ever tried gluing something to hard plastic or glass? That essentially what you are working with on most platforms. I have noticed though that with colored boots they seem to use a covered material as opposed to straight acrylic.
Mommas · 8/13/2013
Im totally feeling you Chemgoddess and that was actually one of the first steps I took after super glue just wasnt enough anymore. I found that an epoxy putty called quick steel (automotive epoxy) was awesome at filling and extending (and giving a surface that could be roughened up harder) on the heel but still had no luck getting the acrylic/silicone on the sole to stick. on one pair I was able to case the end of the acrylic with an upholstery canvas, stitched it in over the strap, to provide another surface for the adhesive to stick and had a little better luck doing so but I need to find a solvent or epoxy or glue that can attach the strap directly onto the heel in cases where that kind of fix isnt feasible, like when the silicone is too malleable and tears easily at stitch points when punctured during sewing. On the one that had luck the pair had a lot of chipped edges so I used the quick steel and some liquid nail to fill and level then followed by reattaching the repaired sole with shoe goo and super glue. the result was a too spongy feel where the shoe goo was but the hold went well enough for about 2 months. Ive been branching out into automotive, marine, and outdoor repairs since the heat seems to be the biggest factor. Anyone else want to chime in with suggestions Im totally down- think hobby stuff like melting the silicone to bond chemically with the plastic lower.
chemgoddess1 · 8/13/2013
I have used many different types of glues. Quite honestly one of the best all purpose adhesives has been a product called Quick Grip, I have used this from tent/canvas repair to costume making (https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f7e2321-d504-4969-9ba1-70470ac37250 and the bra in this photo https://www.studioveena.com/photos/previous/4f7e2321-d504-4969-9ba1-70470ac37250) http://www.beaconadhesives.com/cggrip.html It is best if you need a flexible/pliable adhesion. I have used the steel epoxy (stinky stinky) for the repair of my boots but have yet to put them to a full test. I have also used a 2 part epoxy in the past that is made for plastics and fiberglass that would probably work pretty well if you need a filler of sorts. I cannot remember the brand that I bought. I will try to find it and post it. I had a holding tank on an rv that I patched with it and it worked phenomenally.
KidKerrigan · 8/13/2013
Hey ladies, Just thought I'd add my 2 cents because I loove love love my pleasers, but also had issues with the soles coming apart at the tip of the platform, especially when doing all the sexy things, dragging them along the floor, etc. One of our instructors in a workshop that commonly causes these types of issues with shoes said that she uses nail glue to stick them back on. I went home and tried it on my favourite pair of pleasers that I couldn't bear to part with because they were flap-happy. Just chuck on some gloves, open the rubber slightly away from the platform where you want the glue, squeeze some of the nail glue in the opening then apply pressure/roll the toe of the platform on the ground (preferably outside in case you get glue dripping) and I promise you the sole will NEVER MOVE AGAIN. No matter how sexy/draggy you want to get. I've now done this to every pair of shoes I own as soon as the sole starts lifting and it's increased the life of my shoes right up until the ankle strap snaps (well over a year). Nail glue is basically superglue on steroids for keeping acrylic tips on your hands, so you can't go wrong :) get some from any drug store and chuck it in your emergency kit! Hope that helps at all!
aliceBheartless · 8/14/2013
I will have to try the nail glue! I have a pair of vivids that I haven't been able to keep the soles on, but I love them, so I haven't gotten rid of them. Hopefully, it will work and I can resurrect my favorite shoes :)
poledanceromance · 8/14/2013
I get this from my dad, but I am a believer in epoxy. An epoxy for plastic from the hardware store comes in what looks like two syringes stuck to each other. You squeeze it out, mix it together with a popcicle stick and slather it on then stick the pieces together. It actually bonds directly to plastic at a molecular level, essentially welding it together, meaning you won't get the pieces apart without breaking them. It's cheap, they make them for every possible material and it is the strongest glue I know of.