How to Restore Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam' – Full Sneaker Rebuild Using Reshoevn8r

4 août 2025

Restoring the 2009 Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”: A Full-Circle Sneaker Project

Some sneaker restorations are just projects—but others are personal.

In this special episode of Customs and Restorations, Vick Almighty revives a pair of 2009 Air Jordan 11 “Space Jams”—the exact model that inspired his entire career in sneaker restoration.

Not only is this one of the most iconic Jordan releases of all time, but it was also the first sneaker Vick ever restored, making this moment a full-circle milestone in his journey.

Breaking Down the Space Jams: Deconstruction Begins

More than a decade later, these 2009s arrived in rough shape—yellowed soles, brittle glue, and years of wear. But that didn’t slow Vick down.

He began the restoration by carefully separating the soles, midsoles, and uppers. The aged glue actually made this easier, allowing for a cleaner breakdown of each component.

Deep Cleaning with the Reshoevn8r Essential Kit

With the sneaker in pieces, it was time to clean every inch. Vick used the Reshoevn8r Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit, equipped with:

Soft Brush – for delicate mesh and patent leather
Medium Brush – ideal for midsoles and rubber
Stiff Brush – for tackling deep dirt in tougher areas

He finished off the cleaning with the Brass Bristle Brush to scrub the icy outsoles—lifting years of grime embedded into the translucent rubber.

🧼 Shop the Reshoevn8r Essential Kit → here

Unyellowing the Soles with Sole Revive + Vick 2000

To restore the clarity of the once-icy soles, Vick placed them inside the Vick 2000 UV chamber and applied Reshoevn8r Sole Revive.

The result? A factory-fresh look, completely iced out with crystal-clear soles—thanks to 4000 watts of UV power.

💡 Get Sole Revive for Yellowed Soles → here

Prep Work: Removing Old Glue the Right Way

Next came one of the most important (and often overlooked) steps in sneaker restoration—removing old glue. Vick used:

A sharp blade to scrape residue from the uppers
Acetone and cotton balls to clean the midsoles thoroughly

This step ensured the new glue would bond properly, making the rebuild stronger and longer-lasting.

Custom Air Unit with EVA Foam Upgrade

Rather than replacing the air unit with the typical plastic variety found in most Jordan 11s, Vick opted to craft a custom insert using EVA foam. Why? EVA provides greater durability and flexibility, offering better long-term performance without compromising on comfort.

Rebuild and Final Touches

With fresh glue laid down, Vick reassembled the uppers, midsoles, and soles—meticulously aligning each piece for a clean, factory-like finish.

To wrap up the restoration:

He removed sock lint from the liners
Buffed the patent leather with Reshoevn8r Sneaker Wipes
Applied a touch of mink oil for that glossy mirror shine

The Results: Space Jam 11s Reborn

This wasn’t just a restoration. It was a tribute to how far sneaker culture—and the art of restoration—has come. From his very first project to today, Vick’s journey proves what’s possible when passion and skill meet the right tools.