Boot Heat Molding

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Luigino Heat Molding.
Please follow the step-by-step heat molding instructions below carefully to ensure optimum results and avoid damage:

1.   Remove wheels and bearings leaving the frames attached to the boot. The frame stabilizes the boot while your foot is inside along with making certain the boot is resting in the correct position during the molding process.

A) FRAME MUST BE SNUG NOT TIGHT Frame should not move by shaking the boot but should be able to move when you push on it with your hand from side to side.

2. Center oven racks, placing boot and frame in the oven to confirm the boot doesn't make contact with heating elements or other parts of the oven.

3. Preheat oven 175 ­ 200 degrees Important: don't increase the temperature setting attempting to rush the process. Slow and thorough will give you the best results. All our materials have been tested for heat molding per our instructions. Absolutely no warranty against damaged boots during the heat molding process.

4. Heat and mold one boot at a time.

A) Before putting your boot in the oven be sure to loosen the laces enough to easily slide your foot in the boot.

5. After the oven is preheated carefully place your boots in the oven.

6. Prepare a chair and area to place the boot keeping in mind the frame and boot will be extremely hot.

7. We recommend using a thin sock or nylon to help protect your foot from the heat.

8. Check the oven after 10 minutes to see if the boot is pliable. If you're not satisfied with the pliability check it every minute closing the door to the oven between minutes until you are satisfied (maximum of 20 minutes).

A) Remove from oven with caution: Use hot pad or mitt to remove the boot, avoiding contact with the frame and eyelets. Lace your boots SNUG without over tightening to avoid damage. Remove boot from the oven, quickly and carefully place it on your foot.

DO NOT STAND! THE ONLY WEIGHT ON THE BOOT IS YOUR LEG UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED.

9) DO NOT STAND ON THE BOOT WHILE IT IS HOT; SIT IN A HARD

CHAIR/SITTING POSITION (90 DEGREE KNEE BEND) DRAW AN IMAGINARY LINE FROM THE FRONT OF YOUR KNEE TO YOUR BIG TOE FOR ACCURATE POSITIONING.
Important: Keep your hip and knee in line while your knee is directly over your toes. This is an important position to maintain during the molding process.

10 ) CHAIR/SITTING POSITION (90 DEGREE KNEE BEND) DRAW AN IMAGINARY LINE FROM THE FRONT OF YOUR KNEE TO YOUR BIG TOE FOR ACCURATE POSITIONING.
Important: Keep your hip and knee in line while your knee is directly over your toes. This is an important position to maintain during the molding process.

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Below are additional molding tips.

A) Pushing out the ankle bone: Most skaters have made great use of a handled screw driver. Using the handle to apply pressure can help move the shell in specific points in extreme cases.

B) Tight toe box? Give yourself more room if needed. Using a heat gun, slowly and thoroughly heat the entire toe box. Use your thumbs to press and hold out the area/s you   need expanded.

C) Tighten the heel cup/tendon: Use oven or heat gun. Once the heel cup becomes pliable place your hands around the back of the boot applying pressure, squeezing the boot together (squeeze with more pressure than expected since composite has memory and tends to spring back slightly). Hold the cup/tendon until the shell has set-up. If you experience tight ankles after narrowing the heel cup/tendon area proceed by heating slowly and thoroughly the ankle areas inside and out (do not heat the heel area). Then place your foot in the boot, tighten the laces and wait patiently until completely cooled.

PDF file of molding directions shown above - Heat Molding.pdf

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Clean bearings roll smoother, are faster and will last longer than dirty bearings. Grit and sand can cause small pits in the balls and create an uneven rotation. Below are instructions on how to clean a bearing with a removable shield. If the shield on your bearings are stationary, ignore the steps which are directed to removing shields.

If you clean and lubricate your bearing often they should last you a long time. Always avoid getting your bearings wet, and keep them free of sand! Clean and lubricate skate bearings immediately if they become wet.

Tools You Will Need:

Small bowl or metal pan
Straight pin
Bearing cleaner
Small cleaning brush such as a toothbrush. Soft or medium, nothing too hard!
Clean towels
Paper Towels

1. For removable shields: Insert the end of the straight pin into the end of the C-ring which holds the shield onto the bearing body. Very gently pry the C-ring up and towards the center of the bearing, working your way around the circle. Remove the shield slowly, always taking care not to damage it.

2. Place bearing in container or bowl and flush with bearing cleaner to remove contaminants. Citrus cleaners work well. Use the small brush or toothbrush and remove larger pieces of dirt and grime. If your bearings are particularly dirty, you may have to repeat this step. Be sure to change your solvent with each rinsing.

3. After you have cleaned the bearing, pat it gently dry with a clean, lint free towel. Place on a paper towel and allow it to air dry. Make sure that all water has evaporated and dries out completely before proceeding to the next step.

4. After the bearing has completely dried, apply 1 to 2 drops of quality lubricant to the inside of the bearing. A little lubricant goes a long way. Rotate the bearing slowly to work the lubricant in to all of the moving parts. Make sure the balls are completely covered in oil/grease.

5. Replace the shield by placing it on top of bearing and slipping the C-ring into the groove next to the shield. Then work remaining length of C-ring slowly and gently around the fitted groove until it snaps back into place.

6. Put your freshly cleaned bearings back on your skates and spin them to insure oil/greases is evenly distributed and wheels are spinning smoothly.

Warning: Always use extreme caution whenever working with any cleaning solvent. Bearing Cleaner is a toxic chemical and should be washed off skin immediately.

About the Author: Layla D. is a contributor to http://georgia-dog-friendly.blogspot.com/ This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Layla D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Layla_Dean

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