Shoes made of genuine leather are durable, but from constant use they lose their attractive appearance, the color loses its brightness, and the outer surface becomes worn. You can correct the situation by painting it yourself. This is not difficult to do if you know the basic techniques for dyeing leather products. Then the independently restored pair can be used for several more seasons.
How to dye faux leather
Anyone can paint shoes at home; the main thing is to approach this matter without haste and carefully select compositions that will work well on the surface of any material.
Each structure requires a specific painting technique and a specific product.
Artificial leather tolerates staining well, and almost any composition lies on it quite neatly without any special effort.
If you need to paint part of the shoe, it makes sense to use paper tape, which can be used to mark clear boundaries. The entire staining procedure consists of sequentially performing three stages:
- shoe cleaning;
- degreasing the surface;
- applying paint.
It is worth noting that when painting a boot or shoes, you need to carefully apply the composition to the area of the seams and joints, trying to paint the desired area at a time in order to avoid re-applying paint to individual areas of the product. If the paint did not apply as planned, you can repeat the procedure after 2 hours. It is important that by this time the previous layer is completely dry.
Treatment of leather after painting
After things have completely dried, you need to fix the resulting color.
Procedure:
- Prepare a solution by mixing 1 cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 liter of water.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly and place the treated clothing in the solution.
Important! To preserve the rich color of the gloves, you can not rinse them in the prepared solution, but simply wipe them with it or with a colorless cream.
- After processing, place the product on a hard surface, away from the battery and heat generator.
- Treat the product with a special leather care cream.
Important! Suede products should not be coated with greasy creams.
- Finally, when the cream has completely soaked the clothing, buff the surface with a soft brush.
Important! Do not polish the product with strong pressure; the bristles should barely touch the surface of the clothing.
How to paint the heel of a shoe or the sole of a shoe
All women are familiar with the situation when a heel, stuck somewhere, becomes damaged or scratched after being removed. The soles of shoes are also often subject to scuffs. For modern technologies this is not a problem. You can completely repaint the shoes, or you can tint the heel and sole. The paint can be purchased at a specialized store, but it is also possible to use car paint in spray cans, due to the abundance of colors.
Clean and degrease the heel or sole. It is advisable to remove old paint using sandpaper and solvent if you want to paint worn dark shoes a rich black color, but if you have white shoes, this is not necessary.
Apply the paint in a thin layer, repeat if necessary. If the shoes are varnished, the heel can be varnished after painting.
How to paint rubber boots
Is it possible to paint rubber boots? Rubber shoes are designed for rainy seasons to resist moisture. It is problematic to repaint this material, but, nevertheless, it is still possible to create a creative individual design or eliminate some defects. To do this, you can use acrylic paint, enamel paint or another intended for rubber products; this can be checked with the seller.
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Before painting, it is enough to wash the rubber boots with water and wipe them dry with a cloth; unlike leather boots, you should not wipe them with alcohol, as the rubber may deteriorate.
To apply a drawing or pattern, you can use a ready-made stencil or make it yourself.
After painting, it is better to leave rubber shoes to dry for several days.
How to dye leather shoes
It’s worth starting with choosing a paint that will perfectly cover the old layer and will not conflict with the existing shade. As a rule, the assortment of shoe and hardware stores allows you to resolve this issue as efficiently as possible.
Separately, it should be noted that nitro paint or its oil version is not suitable for dyeing leather, because both compositions have the ability to have a detrimental effect on the condition of natural leather. It is better to choose paint that is specially designed for leather products, will fit well on such a surface and will not in any way affect its quality.
How to paint nubuck shoes
Natural fabrics and natural materials are considered the most comfortable, pleasant and beneficial for the body. One of the popular and elite types of genuine leather is nubuck. Nubuck shoes are very light, but nevertheless strong and durable. In order for high-quality shoes to serve you for a long time and justify their cost, you need to take good and careful care of them.
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To paint nubuck shoes, you need to remember the most important thing: do not spray paint close to the object. This may make the color look unnatural. Cover the floor well, put on clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and spray paint from a distance of 20-30 cm.
That's all. Let your shoes always look neat, because your image depends on it.
Video material
As you can see, restoring worn leather items to their attractive appearance will not be difficult. The main thing is to carefully read all the painting rules and strictly follow the instructions. The tips in this article will help extend the “life” of your favorite leather items.
Textile pair dyeing
Cloth-coated shoes are often used. But the top coating quickly becomes dirty and needs constant cleaning. Traditional means for protecting against dust and dirt are not applicable to textile shoes. From frequent washing, the color gradually washes out and becomes dull and dirty.
Fabric dyes are used to dye fabric shoes. It's better to do this while washing. The coloring composition is diluted with water according to the instructions and applied to the top layer of shoes. When the product dries completely, it acquires the desired color.
Features of white skin coloring
White or colored products require especially careful handling. The cracks that form during wear are very noticeable and give the product an unkempt appearance. You can paint such shoes with liquid leather. It differs from the usual coloring composition in that after drying it forms a thin film that hides all cracks.
Liquid skin is applied with a manicure file or other thin metal object. The crack is closed in several steps. Each time, apply a thin layer of material and allow it to dry completely. You cannot immediately fill the defect by applying paint liberally. It will dry unevenly and fall off after the first walk. When the crack is repaired, the product is completely painted over in the usual way.
Features of the procedure
Regardless of the choice of dye, you need to treat the most problematic areas first. Otherwise, the painted surface will become uneven in color. For painting you need to prepare:
- spray dye;
- foam sponge;
- clip or other holder;
- container for paint.
You should pour the dye into a small container and use a sponge to paint the problematic worn areas. After drying, the procedure can be repeated. To make work easier and protect the lining, you can fill the inside of the boot with old paper to shape it, paying special attention to aligning the folds.
A partially treated boot or shoe should be sprayed evenly from a spray can - according to the instructions for its use, from a distance of 20-30 cm. Allow to dry and repeat painting if necessary. To preserve color and increase service life, treat the surface of the leather with a protective water-repellent agent and cream.
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Shoes made of suede and nubuck are painted in a similar way using products for this material. To paint your shoes a different color, it is better to contact a specialist. Old paint can be washed off only with professional products, which, if handled carelessly, will damage the structure of the material.
Paint selection
Suede shoe dyes cannot restore the material itself, but they can update the appearance.
Paints for suede shoes are sold in hardware stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, and shoe departments.
You should choose it based on color, then on price. The fact is that paint from different manufacturers seems to be the same color, but the shade may be slightly different.
Don't expect it to cover the previous color. You can dye suede shoes a different color, but you won’t be able to get a long-term effect, even if you apply several layers.
If you bought paint that is darker or lighter than the shade you need, additionally take white or black. Carefully pour additional product into the main one to get the desired color.
The paints are waterproof and take a long time to wash off. The most popular among owners of suede shoes are the products of the Italian brand Morello.
They also speak well of Salamander cosmetics. The German manufacturer has proven itself well. The dye is firmly embedded into the fabric, so there is no need to constantly renew the color.
In order not to be mistaken with the shade, take with you shoes that require color restoration and compare them in the store.
The choice of paint also depends on the structure of the material. For example, for products with large pile, a liquid or creamy composition is suitable. If the material is thin, you can use aerosols or sprays; they are sold in cans and are easy to apply.
Shoe cleaning
The first step will be to prepare the shoes for future painting. In order for the paint to adhere perfectly, you need to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface. First you need to remove dust and dirt, remaining cream or wax from your shoes. For this, there are special cleaning products, which, as a rule, come complete with paint, but you can also use improvised means. For example, you can make a soap solution and remove dirt with a cloth; you can add a small amount of ammonia.
After cleaning the shoes, you need to let them dry thoroughly; you should not use a radiator or other heating device for this, as the shoes can become very dry, fall apart and become deformed.
Repainting suede shoes
Suede products are beautiful and elegant, but difficult to care for. When worn, such shoes quickly lose their attractiveness. The pile clogged with dust and dirt becomes shiny and looks untidy. To restore such shoes, spray paint for suede is used.
Preparing a pair of suede involves thoroughly cleaning it with a special brush. On the one hand, such a device has hard bristles, which remove dust and dirt. On the other hand, there are rubber teeth that loosen the pile. The product is cleaned dry. First, they pass along the surface with the side with the bristles, getting rid of dust and dirt. It is then treated with a degreaser and finished with rubber tines.
Important! A good result is obtained by steam treatment and subsequent cleaning of the pile with a rubber brush.
If there are shiny areas on the product, they are wiped with a solution of table vinegar in a weak concentration or erased with a school eraser. To remove greasy stains, use a mixture of 10 parts water and 1 part ammonia.
After the shoes are completely dry, they can be repainted in a different color. To do this, hold the paint can at a distance of 15 cm and evenly distribute the product onto the product. Leave to dry for a quarter of an hour. Then the treatment is repeated several more times, achieving the desired shade. When the paint dries, the product is treated with a rubber brush to raise the pile. Then apply a spray that repels moisture and dirt.
Fabric repainting
Fabric shoes have become firmly in fashion. However, during wear, this material quickly becomes dirty and requires constant cleaning. There are no means to protect fabric shoes, and constant washing leads to color loss.
You can dye fabric shoes at home by washing them with regular fabric dyes. It is enough to dilute the product in water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and wet the top of the shoe. After drying, the fabric will acquire the desired shade.
Preparing shoes
Before you start painting shoes at home, you need to carefully prepare the surface. It is also necessary to wash the skin and sole with soapy water using a sponge and brush. Use grease removers or a good dishwashing liquid. After this you need:
- Dry your shoes outdoors.
- Treat abrasions and chips with fine sandpaper or a sponge for smoothing.
- Carefully glue the cuts on the top layer of skin, if any.
- Cover the heel and sole with masking tape, especially if their color differs from the color of the leather.
It is not recommended to use solvents to clean leather or suede from cream and dirt. These potent agents dry out the material, making it brittle.
Nuances of the dyeing process
When purchasing dye for leather shoes you will also need:
- soft napkin;
- brush;
- sponge;
- a little polyethylene and adhesive tape (if your shoes or boots have inserts).
Before staining, shoes must be completely washed (soles, surface, heels). A degreasing compound is applied to the top of the clean product, and the inserts are sealed with adhesive tape. Use a brush to treat greasy areas. Pre-cleaning shoes can be done with a simple composition. It's easy to make it yourself.
First you need to carefully paint over all the abrasions and scratches. When working with leather, it is unacceptable to use compounds containing acetone. In addition to store-bought creams and sprays, you can also use folk remedies. If your boots are brown, treat them with coffee grounds. The thickener should be rubbed into the shoes with a soft sponge until a pleasant dark color appears. In extreme cases, the use of felt-tip pens is acceptable.
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Paint suede shoes
Suede shoes always look very impressive and rich. But nothing lasts forever, and over time it loses its color, it can fade and rub, or you just want to repaint your shoes a different color.
Suede shoes can be transformed by painting them with a special suede paint. To do this, you need to use the above mechanism, making sure in advance that the paint is intended for suede, and reading the instructions.
Don't forget to wear gloves to avoid damaging your skin.
Areas where the shoes have become shiny or worn out over time should be given special attention and brushed over with a small brush. And now your favorite suede boots have been transformed.
Proper shoe care
Shoes that are worn for long periods of time need to be properly cared for. To do this, it is regularly cleaned of dirt and dust. This is done immediately after returning to the house. Wet boots and shoes are dried by stuffing them with newspapers.
At the same time, they are placed away from heating devices and other heat sources. To prevent cracks on the surface, leather and leatherettes are periodically lubricated with emollients or glycerin.
To store unused shoes, place them in a cloth bag or cardboard box.
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Suede shoes, boots or shoes should not be cleaned immediately, but only after they have completely dried. Then the top coating is cleaned of dirt with a rubber brush. Then apply a product that protects against moisture penetration and contamination.
Important!
Do not pack shoes for storage in a plastic bag. It does not allow air to pass through and the shoes do not breathe.
Useful tips for painting leather products:
- When drying, the painted item will become several tones lighter, so the next layer of paint should be applied only after the gloves or boots have completely dried.
- If you want to give your clothes a rich dark color, prepare a more concentrated composition. If, on the contrary, there is a weak shade, dilute it with water.
- You can mix several colors to get the desired shade.
Important! When mixing paint shades, follow the sequence: always add dark ones to light colors, and not vice versa.
- If you are unsure of the dyeing result, apply the dye several shades lighter and coat the clothing with it several times.
Working with white skin
White and colored skin is very capricious. During use, cracks quickly appear on it, which gives the shoes an unkempt appearance. In order to dye white shoes at home, you will need liquid leather. Its peculiarity is that when it dries, it forms a thin film on the surface, masking cracks.
To apply liquid skin, it is better to use a thin metal object, such as a nail file. A thin layer of paint is applied to the crack in several stages. Each layer must dry completely.
Depending on the quality of the paint, drying time can reach several hours. It is not recommended to fill the crack right away - the paint will dry unevenly and come off during the first use.
After filling the cracks, you need to completely spray paint your boots or shoes.
There are many folk methods for renewing the white color of the skin. Treatment with beaten egg and milk will not make the color bright and even, but will only create a film that will wash off at the first contact with moisture. Summer shoes will absorb more dust and, the first time you go outside, they will be covered with a dirty gray coating.
How to dye white leather shoes
To avoid damaging the sole, first cover it with tape.
White shoes, especially leather ones, no less than other products, and sometimes more, need timely touch-ups. There are often cases when a person, having awkwardly stumbled, breaks the toe of such a model, as a result of which a problem arises that can only be eliminated by painting over it.
We paint these shoes in the following order:
- first, using a special product that can be purchased at a shoe store, you need to remove the remains of wax, old paint or cream from the surface of the product;
- after 2 hours you can apply paint (the shade of which must first be selected most carefully) using a sponge;
- if the layer is absorbed into the boots quickly enough, after it has dried, additional paint should be applied;
- After a day, you need to apply a special surface care product to the white skin and thoroughly brush it.
What products are needed for coloring?
Painting leather shoes at home is impossible without purchasing quality materials. For independent restoration you will need:
- a preparation for cleansing and removing traces of fat from natural leather;
- polishing sponge or manicure file;
- paint for coloring leather products or liquid leather of different shades;
- brush, brush or sponge;
- construction tape.
You can purchase all the necessary materials at shoe stores. You should not choose coloring compounds that are not intended for leather and suede accessories. They will only ruin things. During wear, cracks will form on the new coat of paint.
Suitable paint comes in the form of a spray, ready-to-use paste, water-based or other. Coloring compositions are available in powder form. Before use, they are diluted with water or other means to form a paste.
If not the entire surface of shoes or boots is painted, but you only need to make decoration, acrylic paint for shoes is suitable. The shade of paint is selected in accordance with the existing color of the couple or a little darker.
