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ASK MR. EDGE

March 2002

Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.



Having a problem with your skates or boots? Can't find the answers? Well, Mr. Edge is here to answer all your questions. With many years of experience and a never-ending resource list, he can help you solve your boot, blade and foot problems. This month, Mr. Edge discusses issues relating to blade sizes and the best boot to buy for ice dancing. Read on and learn!

Hello there, sports fans, and once again welcome to all. I certainly hope that everyone enjoyed watching the Olympics this year. I sure did! As usual, it's time for me — your host, Mr. Edge — to write something of value, something that's worth reading, something that's worth keeping this issue for. So ... sit right back, grab your beverage of choice, and read on while I share with you some ideas on how to TAN YOUR HIDE ... LEATHER HIDE THAT IS!

Recently, I've had numerous people ask me how to re-dye their boots tan and keep them looking great all the time. It seems most skaters have the same complaint — either the polish wears off too quickly, or when the boots get scuffed they look half white and half tan. Using tan tape on your boots is OK, but ...

Well, take heart kids. There is a way to keep them looking nice most all the time, but it requires a lot of elbow grease and constant upkeep. Here's the Mr. Edge recipe for tanning those hides of yours.

You must first start with establishing some standards — especially for teams.

  1. All team members' boots are to be a specific shade of tan.
  2. Everyone uses the same brand of dye and polish.
  3. All dye and polish is purchased at the same time from the same supplier.
  4. All dye work is done by the same person. (This will be costly.)
  5. Deglazing fluid is only used to prep the boots before re-dyeing.
  6. Establish a regular schedule for touching up skates.

By following the above, you will be able to maintain a high standard of quality control, while keeping the entire team's boots looking clean and neat.

If you currently have a pair of white boots you wish to make tan, try using this method:

  1. Tape off soles and heels of boots.
  2. Using the deglazing fluid, entirely strip off the white polish until you get down to the gray color of the leather.
  3. Allow boots to dry thoroughly and apply tan leather dye to boots.
  4. Allow dye to soak into leather and apply a second coat. (This is your undercoating.)
  5. Allow to dry, and using a 1" camel or ox hair brush, apply tan polish to boots.
  6. Allow to dry for 20 minutes and apply a second coat.
  7. Allow to dry thoroughly. Spray on the final coat of tan polish and allow to dry.

Materials needed:

  1. Deglazing fluid
  2. Tan leather dye (as close to the final desired color as possible)
  3. Tan leather polish (same color as the dye if possible)
  4. Tan spray polish (desired color)
  5. 1" camel or ox hair paintbrush (NO nylon brushes
  6. Paper towels (heavy-duty) or rag
  7. Steel wool or metal stripping pad
  8. Plenty of time and patience

These instructions should make life a little easier for everyone, and your boots should be looking clean and neat for the next competition.

And now, without any further delay, I present to you a question ... or two, or maybe even three or four. Here goes!

Is there some way to shore up my boots that aren't providing as much lateral ankle support as I'd like? Cambridge, Mass.

Try ankle braces. You know, the kind you can get at your local medical supply outlet!

Only kidding, of course. You can usually send them back to the manufacturer and ask them to reinforce the boots, or find a local shoe repair shop that is experienced in rebuilding boots. In either case, GOOD LUCK!

What are the dangers for recreational and figure skaters who must skate on hard/fast hockey ice? There seem to be a lot of “extreme” accidents on our rink, and I would like to help. I believe the ice is too hard and fast (skates just slip right out from under people). In other words, blades just don't grip. There are almost no markings on the ice. Camden, Maine

Oh well, can't have everything! Really though ... the ice has little to do with your problems, but the condition of your skate blades has everything to do with it. Maybe the Zamboni driver is inexperienced at making ice, but it's crucial that skates are taken to a qualified skate sharpener. Also, it is very important to realize that you need to have your skates sharpened when they are new, not just when they are used.

When I tie my laces tightly, the tongue of my boot hurts me right above my ankle. My boots are only about a year old, and other than that they fit and feel fine. What can I do? Portland, Ore.

Your tongues are broken down to the point that they need to either be replaced or rebuilt. I would suggest getting new tongues in if there is still enough support left in your boots.

Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.

The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.