Yeah, those are almost impossible to properly weather due to the fabric used. None of the items I bought from him have made the final cut on my costume, excepting the jetpack stabilizing gyro (and only with a lot of work). That said, you've done a good job with what you have. Here's a pic of the ones I abandoned (toe spikes removed -- I thought I could use them on the MoW boots I finally got, but noooo):