There are lots and lots of options for shoe paints, and it can be a bit tricky picking the right one. This is list of pros and cons that is intended to hep you choose a paint, but is by no means comprehensive. These reviews are from my personal experience with these products, and your experience may vary. Always test before committing completely.
General shoe painting tips:
Make sure your shoe is clean and dry.
Paint in thin coats. This applies to both spray and brush techniques.
Allow to dry completely between coats, and before wearing.
Mix enough paint for later touch ups.
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint
This is my favorite paint for shoes. It works well on faux leather as long as the coats are very thin and even. It also works on faux suede without being mixed with fabric medium. I have never had a shoe crack even when completely covered in this paint. It also has a lovely sheen. It can be easily touched up any scuffs or scrapes from walking. Used on:
Cupid basic
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint in True Gold
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint in Metallic Silver
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint in Metallic Silver (heels)
Jacquard Lumiere Neopaque Acrylic Paint in Magenta
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint in Metallic Silver
mixed with Jacquard Lumiere Neopaque Acrylic Paint in Violet (highlights)
Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint (black)
Jacquard Neopaque Acrylic Paint
The less shiny version of my favorite paint for shoes. It works well on faux leather as long as the coats are very thin and even. It also works well on faux suede and fabric without adding a fabric medium. I have never had the paint crack, even when completely covering a shoe. Dries pretty matte. It is also easy to touch up any scuffs or scrapes from walking. Used on:
Blondie sweet
Jacquard Neopaque Acrylic Paint in Magenta
mixed with Jacquard Neopaque Acrylic Paint in White
Jacquard Neopaque Acrylic Paint in Magenta
mixed with Jacquard Neopaque Acrylic Paint in White
Martha Stewart Crafts Tintable fabric Medium
I use this with almost all craft acrylic paint that I apply to fabric or faux suede shoes. I do not use this on faux leather shoes. I find it much too thick, and it tends to peel. If the acrylic paint is intended for fabric you do not need to use this medium. If you are unsure of your paint's compatibility, read the back of the bottle or check around the hobby store for a list of brands and the materials they are intended to be used on. My craft store has a chart above where the paints are stored. The medium keeps the paint from cracking even without heat setting it. It dries with a really nice subtle sheen, that I've been told gives the shoes a leather like look. I have had really similar results with all price rages of craft acrylic when mixed with this. Any scuffs or scrapes from walking can be easily touched up. Used on:
Raven & Dexter Date
Raven's fabric Medium mixed with Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic paint
Dexter's fabric Medium mixed with Craft Smart Multi Surface Acrylic paint
Fabric Medium mixed with Plaid Folk Art Acrylic paint
Fabric Medium mixed with about 6 other brands of pink/ red acrylic paint to colour match the fabric. Sorry, but I do not remember them all...
Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint (black wings)
Martha Stewart Crafts Multi- Surface Satin Acrylic Paint
I usually like to add fabric medium to this paint even though it says that you do not have to. I haven't noticed any cracking, but it does lack the slight elasticity that the fabric medium adds. Without the fabric medium it also dries matte when placed on faux suede, especially compared to using it mixed with fabric medium. Maybe it is more satin on non porous or primed surfaces? I honestly am a bit confused by the name. It can be easily touched up. Used on:
Rochelle basic
Martha Stewart Acrylic Satin Paint in Wet Cement
Mixed with nothing
Mixed with Martha Stewart Fabric Medium
Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Chalkboard Paint
Seriously, I love chalkboard paint on shoes. I've only used it on fabric and faux suede, as well as over primed plastic pieces. Overall it has a different feel than regular black acrylic. It is a bit hard to explain. It has a very slight sheen and nice depth of colour. I would suggest testing it on a scrap before committing to it. It really doesn't come in very many shades though, so it is a bit limiting. Used on:
Duchess basic
Mixed with a small amount of Martha Stewart Fabric Medium
Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint in Metallic Silver
mixed with Jacquard Lumiere Neopaque Acrylic Paint in Violet (highlights)
Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint (black) mixed with nothing
Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint mixed with nothing
Meltonian Nu life Color Spray
I have mixed feelings about this product. The color range is limited, and you can't mix or shade it. The spray bottle can spit and clog, and if you spray it on too thick, it will crack. It doesn't cover up marker lines well. Given other options, it is comparatively expensive. I have also found that if the shoes are touching each other in storage, the paint can stick to itself and pull off. It is also hard to touch up, and it must be used outside, since it is a spray.
As a side note, I used to work for a company that thought this was the greatest thing to try to cover up black sole scuff marks on white leather shoes. Really it never worked. It would turn the scuffs kinda grey then flake off since whoever tried to spray it got so annoyed and impatient that they put it on too thick. Give a magic eraser a try, thing removes scuffs like a charm. (test it on an inconspicuous place first to ensure that it doesn't ruin any finishes.)
Anywho, this product is not all bad. With practice, it does go on very smooth and can less time than painting with a brush. The key here is thin even coats. I've only used this product on leather, faux leather, and flat glitter covered shoes. I also used it on a pair of heavily used leather ballet slippers, and it never cracked or flaked, so it does work if applied correctly. It dries with a nice sheen. Used on:
Apple basic
I have never covered a pair of shoes fully with this material, so I can't vouch for its durability. It is great for very shiny accents and will cover leather as well as fabric. It smells really bad, so ventilation is a must! It also requires harsher cleaners for brushes. Used on:
Frankie Plaid
Plaid:Craft Liquid Leaf One Step Leafing Paint Silver
The silver accents only
Angelus Leather paint- Coming soon
No comments:
Post a Comment