- Before painting your shoes, make sure that the surface is clean and dry.
- If you are using spray paint, hold the can about 6-8 inches away from the shoe and spray in a steady back and forth motion.
- To get even coverage, use several light coats rather than one heavy coat.
- Let the paint dry completely before wearing your shoes.
How to Paint Soles of Shoes
This article was co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim. Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
This article has been viewed 171,777 times.
Painting the soles of your shoes is a great way to add your own personal style or flair to them. Before you begin painting, make sure the soles are clean and pick out a paint that will adhere to the material of your shoe. Apply several coats to get your color just right, and use a sealant to make sure the paint won’t chip when you go to wear the shoes.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Preparing the Soles
- Wait for the rubbing alcohol to dry once the shoe has been cleaned — this should only take a few minutes.
- Cut the painter’s tape into shorter or thinner strips to make applying the tape easier, if necessary.
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- If desired, you can also just use a white acrylic paint as a primer option.
- If you’re not sure of the material of the sole, check the bottom or inside of the shoe to look for a label. If you can’t find a label, go online to find the specific shoe’s material.
- The primer is dry if you touch it and it doesn’t leave any residue on your fingers.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Applying the Paint
- PlastiDip is the most popular paint choice for rubber and comes in many different colors.
- Angelus paints are popular when painting on leather.
- Paint the shoes over a piece of newspaper to protect your surfaces.
- The size of brush that you use is up to you, just make sure it’s small enough to paint the curves of the shoe adequately and cleanly.
Wait at least an hour before doing another coat of paint. Let the first coat of paint you applied dry. How long you wait will depend on the type of paint you used, but waiting at least an hour is a good rule of thumb.
- If you’re painting the soles of your shoes black, these would most likely only need 1 or 2 coats of paint.
- If you’re painting the soles a lighter or brighter color, such as a yellow, pink, or bright blue, you’ll need more than 2 coats of paint.
- Leaving the shoes indoors in a cooler environment will allow them to dry faster.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Sealing the Soles
- You can choose from both shiny or matte clear coats, depending on which you’d prefer.
Apply the first coat of sealant and let it dry for 15 minutes. Use a clean paintbrush to apply the sealant in a thin, even layer. Since it’s clear and harder to see, check to make sure you’ve covered the entire sole.
- Do a touch-test to determine if the coat of sealant is dry or not. If your finger comes back with sealant residue, it’s not dry yet.
- As an added precaution, you can allow the sealant to dry overnight to ensure the soles are completely dry.
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References
- ↑https://www.fashionlush.com/diy-colored-soles/
- ↑https://somethingturquoise.com/2013/06/21/diy-painted-something-blue-shoe-soles/
- ↑https://www.fashionlush.com/diy-colored-soles/
- ↑http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9389255/Cash-strapped-women-are-painting-their-shoe-soles-red-to-get-the-Louboutin-look-for-less.html
- ↑https://somethingturquoise.com/2013/06/21/diy-painted-something-blue-shoe-soles/
- ↑https://somethingturquoise.com/2013/06/21/diy-painted-something-blue-shoe-soles/
- ↑http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9389255/Cash-strapped-women-are-painting-their-shoe-soles-red-to-get-the-Louboutin-look-for-less.html
- ↑https://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/07/20/diy-adidas-boost-midsoles/
- ↑https://somethingturquoise.com/2013/06/21/diy-painted-something-blue-shoe-soles/
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
This article was co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim. Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN. This article has been viewed 171,777 times.
8 votes – 82%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: December 29, 2022
Views: 171,777
Categories: Shoe Decoration
To paint the soles of your shoes, all you need is some acrylic paint and a sealant so the paint doesn’t come off. First, clean your shoes with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any dirt. Then, stick masking tape around the edges of your shoes to avoid getting paint on the sides. Apply acrylic paint in slow, even strokes to make sure you don’t get paint on the sides by accident. After each coat, wait an hour for the paint to dry. You’ll probably need 2-5 coats to get the right color and shade. Leave your shoes to dry overnight, then apply a coat of sealant, like Mod Podge, which will help protect the paint from chipping. Let the sealant dry for 15-20 minutes before applying a second coat. For more tips, including how to add a primer to your soles to help the paint stick, read on!
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Español: pintar las suelas de unos zapatos
Deutsch: Schuhsohlen einfärben
Português: Pintar Solas de Sapatos
Français: peindre les semelles de chaussures
Русский: покрасить подошву обуви
Nederlands: Schoenzolen verven
Bahasa Indonesia: Mengecat Sol Sepatu
العربية: طلاء نعل الحذاء
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How To Paint Rubber Soles On Sneakers Easy Steps
Sneakers are made of rubber sole, which produces less noise while walking. Sneakers are very popular among the younger generation and athletes because, typically, sneakers are used for sports purposes. The rubber sole on sneakers is very popular and useful, and people like to paint their rubber soles to give them a more personal look. One of the popular ways to change the look of sneakers is by simply painting the rubber sole.
Is Acrylic Paint Waterproof?
Acrylic Paint shows a little resistance to water, but it does not have waterproof characteristics
Painting Rubber Sole Of Sneaker
Follow the following instructions as told, and you will be able to paint sneaker soles with professionalism and accuracy.
Does Acrylic Paint Crack On shoes?
If certain situations are right, then Acrylic Paint does crack on shoes, but if you are careful, you can prevent it. The solution to this problem is by using a thin layer and then let it dry. When the first layer is completely dry, then go for the next layer.
Brushstroke plays a vital role in preventing cracking and making sure the strokes are even and short. Another quick tip is to stick with the best brand and when you find the best paint, then stick with it. Mixing different paint will only bring crack.
To paint a rubber sole, you will need some material that you can buy at your local store.
The materials you need to paint rubber soles on sneakers are the following:
Brush Acrylic Paint Painter’s Tape Mod Podge Rubbing Alcohol
This is the material you will need to paint, the sneaker’s rubber sole. Painting rubber soles will be easy but a carefully performed task. While painting the sneaker’s rubber sole, you will have to focus on avoiding mistakes or low-quality painting. Painting Rubber Sole Of Sneaker
Follow the following instruction as told, and you will be able to paint sneaker soles with professionalism and accuracy.
1. Clean Your Sneaker’s Sole If you plan to paint your old sneaker, you should wash it or clean it to get rid of the dust. The dirt on the sole will cause trouble and will make the painting look bad and unprofessional so always make sure the sole is super clean. You can wash the sole with soap and rub it with a brush to get rid of every dirt particle on the sole. Using a brush will get the stain out and make it super clean and ready to get paint. 2. Use Rubbing Alcohol For Further Cleaning After necessary cleaning and washing, use rubbing alcohol to make it cleaner and suitable for paint, use rubbing alcohol even if your sneakers are new and you never wore them. Rubbing alcohol is very important because it will keep the paint on the rubber’s surface and make it look more genuine and well painted. After applying rubbing alcohol, please wait for some time, let it dry, and then move onto the next step. 3. Use Painter’s Tape We are only trying to paint the sole of our sneaker, and in this process, there are great chances to ruin the area around the soles. It will be a disaster for sneakers, and it will ruin the sneaker design, and we don’t want that, so for this purpose, you will need to cover the area around the sole with the painter’s tape. Painter’s tape is best because it is specially designed to cover the area around the sneaker, and it doesn’t harm the sneaker’s color, so you don’t have to worry about it. Cover the area around the sole, and you are good to go. The best part about this tape is that you can cut this tape into shapes and place it on the sole to make designs; it will not let the paint go through it, and that way, you can test your creativity skills. Make cool designs and let your creativity run wild. 4. Now Mix Up Paint We are done covering the area around the sole and ready to test our creativity now; it is the time to mix up the paint. Usually, paint doesn’t stick on the rubber properly and gives a terrible and unprofessional look, which is not acceptable. We will not allow that; for that purpose, we will mix mod podge in acrylic paint. Mod Podge enables the paint to sit correctly on the rubber’s surface and give it a clean, fantastic look. Now mix acrylic paint with mod podge, and our paint is ready to spread on the rubber surface. Make sure the paint is the one you want to use on the rubber sole, and then mix pain and mod podge. 5. Apply Paint Using Brush Now it is time to use the brush we bought, and you can choose any brush that you think will work for you and you are comfortable using that brush. After selecting the brush, start applying paint on the sole, and remember you will not get the desired result with one coating; you may need more coating or not because it highly depends on the paint’s thickness. You may need to apply several coats to get the desired satisfying results; before applying another coating, make sure you let the first coating dry and then start applying paint again.
LAST STEP: Let Sneakers Dry
When you are satisfied with the result and think the paint is fine and the coating is enough, let the paint dry and keep the sneaker at a place where the paint can’t be disturbed. Make sure it dries well before you touch the sole; the drying part is also essential. Avoid dust and if you have pets, keep it away from pets. Remember, don’t pull off tapes until the paint is completely dry; otherwise, the paint will spread to the other parts of the sneaker, and you will not like it. When sneakers are dried up now, you are done painting your sneaker’s rubber soles, and your sneakers are ready to wear and show off to your friends. Don’t forget to take a look at our collection of sneakers at Freakyshoes.com.
You will find many beautiful designs here, and the best part is you can design your own sneaker using our 3d software, which will let you design your desired sneakers and shows. You can easily give personalized looks to your sneakers. You can also check out more shoes related blogs on our website shoesrookies.com.
Is Acrylic a Good Type of Paint for Sneakers?
Many types of paint can be used on sneakers. Acrylic paint is one option that can be good for sneakers because it is affordable and comes in many colors. However, it is essential to make sure that the acrylic paint is specifically designed for use on shoes since other types of acrylic paints may not be as durable. Additionally, acrylic paint can be tricky since it dries quickly. Therefore, it is essential to have a steady hand and work in a well-ventilated area when using this type of paint.
Another option for painting sneakers is using spray paint. This type of paint is easy to use and comes in various colors. However, getting an even coat with a spray paint can be challenging, so it is important to take your time and be careful when using it. Additionally, spray paint can be harmful, so working in a well-ventilated area is essential when using it.
Finally, some people choose to use fabric paint to paint their sneakers. Fabric paint is available in many colors and can be used on various materials. It is essential to make sure that the fabric paint is designed for use on shoes since other types may not be as durable. Additionally, fabric paint can be tricky since it dries quickly. It is essential to have a steady hand and work in a well-ventilated area when using this type of paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Soles of Shoes?
Yes, acrylic paint can be used on the soles of shoes. However, it is important to take note of the following safety guidelines when painting your shoes:
- Always use a protective barrier such as a sheet of plastic wrap when painting the soles of shoes. This will protect them from accidental spills and make the process of painting them easier.
- Make sure the surface you are painting is clean and free from any oils or grease – this will prevent your paint from sticking to the surface.
- Only use acrylic paints that are specifically designed for shoe-painting purposes – other types of paints may not adhere properly to the surface and could lead to damage or wear.
- Apply paint slowly and evenly – too much paint at once can cause bubbling or peeling, which is not only unsightly but also can damage your shoes.
- Let your paintings dry completely before wearing them – even a slight amount of moisture can ruin your shoes and make them unsafe to wear.
What Kind of Paint Can You Use on Rubber?
Acrylics are a popular type of paint that can be used on rubber. However, you should avoid using oil-based paints or stains on rubber surfaces as they will damage the material over time. Acrylics are water-soluble and non-toxic, so they won’t cause any harm if applied correctly. They also have a glossy finish which makes them ideal for painting latex materials like tires or car bumpers.
Always test an unknown color before use to ensure that it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that may damage your tire’s surface. And lastly, always clean your brushes and pan after each session to prevent streaking or staining.
What is the Best Paint for Shoe Soles?
When painting your shoes, avoid using water-based paints because they may cause damage over time. Instead, use acrylic or latex paints that have a low flammability rating. Acrylics are usually easier to apply and require less sanding than latexes.
When choosing a color palette, consider colors that will harmonize with your wardrobe while also providing protection against dirt and rain. Options include taupes, neutrals (beige, browns), blacks, grays (mostly silver or gray), and vibrant colors like red or yellow.
Is Acrylic Paint on Shoes Waterproof?
Acrylic paint is not waterproof, so you should avoid painting your shoes with this product. This type of paint can be easily removed with soap and water, which will cause the shoe to become stained and difficult to clean.
Conclusion
It is essential to have the correct supplies and follow the proper steps to achieve the best results when painting your shoe soles. By using this article on how to paint shoe soles, you will be able to create a unique and stylish look for your shoes that will set them apart from the rest. So have fun experimenting with different colors and designs, and enjoy wearing your new creations!
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