Ballroom shoes question... (brushing the suede)?

Question

Ok I just bout a pair online its coming in today. I ordered a suede brush with it... So, when do I need to brush the suede?? Like everytime I wear the shoes, or just when the suede wears all the way down?? Do I brush it a certain direction? Can u get the suede replaced after they've worn down from time to time? ok thanx.

Answer 1

I generally brush my suede soled shoes when it looks like they need to be brushed. This will vary based on the type of floor I dance on and whether some idiot had waxed the floor.

I was once at a dance where somebody spilled drinks on an edge of the dance floor, and it took me some time to get my shoes dried out and the suede worked to a proper nap.

I really detest it when people put down dance wax on a dance floor, or if a dance is in a church social hall that has a heavy coat of wax. Wax on the sole of a dance shoe really damages the suede sole. It is difficult to get off. Quite frankly, I even saw an instructor go outside and scrape the soles of his shoes over the rough concrete of a sidewalk to get wax off his shoes.

Yes, suede can be replaced by a good shoe repair shop. There is an online store that advertises replacement of soles for $26.00 plus return postage and handling. http://www.toe2toe.com/accessories/shoecare/index.htm
The same website sells "do it yourself" suede soles.

Here is another website for do it yourself suede soles: http://www.dancesportshoes.com/Catalog/dsiProduct.asp?VendorCode=70&CatCode=70&ProductCode=LSOLE&orderID=36596842&pV=1&pC=1&qID=32

Answer 2

I brush my shoes approximately every 3rd practice, or when I see that they need brushing. I.e. when it starts to look shiny or dirty. Brushing will prolong the life of suede. I know I'm supposed to brush them after every practice, but I'm lazy. Sole gets shiny from dirt and floor wax getting stuck to the surface; it is not the sign of wear yet. But if you let that dirt sit there and continue dancing on it, it will damage the suede.

There are theories on how to brush it better. What I found - brush it in any way that helps get the dirt out and bring the shoe to the original nappy look.

I hope the brush you ordered is a metal wire brush which is as hard as BBQ grill brush, only different shape. It is different from brushes for soft suede. Those are too soft, they are only for suede clothes.

Worn-out soles can be replaced by any good shoe repair shop, but I never found it necessary because the top of the shoe tends to wear out sooner than the sole. You would have to order chrome suede replacement soles and bring them to the shop. Many repair shops just glue new sole on top the old one, which makes them thick and useless, make sure it's not what they're planning to do.

Answer 3

The suede has two functions...kind of against each other...first, they allow you to turn easily...but they also, if the suede is brushed up, stop you from slipping.
How often to brush them depends on how much you feel the need to not slip/slide.
You can have the soles redone by a shoe repair place, $20-$40.

Answer 4

How often you brush depends on how often you dance in them. It's probably a good idea to look at them every few weeks to see if they need it. I brush mine when they get slick on the bottom and almost look shiny. Brushing them helps the suede catch on the dance floor so you don't feel like you're about to slip or slide. I believe you can get the suede replaced at a shoe repair shop.

Answer 5

In theory it's best to keep the nap up with brushing every day you dance, brushing fore-and-aft in the direction of movement, but nobody really does that, people being naturally lazy. There are replacement soles, but for many of us, it's hard to find a shoe shop that will fool with them

Answer 6

it depends on how weak you have try every 2 times but 1 time is good also and with strong type thay can golike every week

Answer 7

if you want them to last i guess you should brush them often.