How To Prevent Acrylic Paint From Cracking On Shoes
Preventing Cracks On Acrylic Painted Shoes
If you’ve got a comfortable pair of shoes that could use a bit of a lift, you can give them a fresh look with acrylic paint. You can even paint on some fabulous design for something unique. Perhaps you were given a plain pair of shoes that you want to vamp up a little.
While acrylic paint is a great medium for use on shoes, it does have a slight drawback. Over time, acrylic paint has a tendency to crack. With a little bit of preparation and aftercare, you can follow these great tips on how to prevent acrylic paint from cracking on shoes.
1. Prepare Your Shoes
The first thing you need to do regardless of the type of shoes you want to paint with acrylic paint is to make sure the shoes are clean. This is not a problem with most new shoes, but if you are revamping old ones, give them a good cleaning and let them dry completely before you start painting.
2. Choose Quality Paint
Revamping your shoes with acrylic paint is always going to be cheaper than a new pair of shoes but not if you buy cheap acrylic paint. If you find you need to redo your paint job because of cracking, choose a better brand of paint. This is especially important if you plan on using more than one color. In this case, you really should stick to one brand of paint. Different brands use different ingredients and they may not unify on your shoes properly. This means the different paints may separate sooner rather than later.
3. Apply Paint In Thin Layers
You may think you need a thick layer of acrylic paint that will last longer on your shoes, but that isn’t the case. It is always better to apply 2 to 3 thin layers of acrylic paint and let each layer dry completely before applying the next one. A thinner coating is going to look more uniform and you are less likely to have unsightly blotches. Shoes experience a considerable amount of movement and if you have applied a thick layer of paint on your shoes, it will crack.
4. Pay Special Attention To Areas That Move
The toe cap of your shoes sees the most movement. This area flexes with every step and if cracks do appear in your acrylic paintwork, this is usually the first place it will happen. Paint across this section of your shoes to ensure good coverage. What you should be doing is painting in the natural direction of the flexing which will minimize cracking.
5. Avoid Using Heat To Speed Dry The Paint
One of the biggest mistakes people make when applying acrylic paint to their shoes is rushing through the process. If you have a special event, you’d like to wear your revamped shoes too, the day before is too late. Sure, you can grab a hairdryer and use the heat to dry the acrylic paint faster, which it will do, but it will also make the paint more prone to cracking. This is not a task you want to rush through. After each layer of paint has been applied, let the shoe air dry completely. Don’t apply heat.
6. Seal The Deal
Once you are happy with your newly colored shoes, seal your handiwork with an acrylic sealant. The sealant will protect the paint and keep them looking good for a lot longer without the telltale cracks. Apply the sealant smoothly and evenly. As with the paint, you want the sealant to dry completely as well. To finish off your shoes and prevent the acrylic paint from cracking due to exposure to outdoor elements, spray a light coating of waterproofing spray and you’re ready to step out in stylish new shoes.
