Anyone who has ever painted his or her shoes knows it is hard work having to see them crack after the job is done. To avoid this, there are some few protocol you need to follow while preparing your shoes for painting. This requires them to first of all be clean and dry and another to use good quality acrylic shoe paint in thin subsequent coats. Also, the surfaces should be painted in the direction the shoe flexes , and once the paint has dried one should apply a sealant is required.

Here we have also tips for do’s and don’ts for cracking paint on shoes, paint failure and how not to let paint to peel off shoes. You will also find other related questions that you may be asking yourself, for instance, do painted shoes need sealant, how do I waterproof painted shoes. If followed carefully, the following procedures will help you to have longer lasting and well painted shoes.

Steps for Preventing Cracking Paint on Shoes

If you wish to paint your shoes and create a personal touch to them it is crucial that you follow certain steps to help the paint last long. The other issues that people encounter while painting shoes is to get the acrylic paints to dry without cracking. However, by following these steps, you can help prevent this from happening.

Properly Prepare Your Shoes

However, this is not the only factor when considering painting your shoes: you should always clean off your shoes before painting. Regardless of what kind of shoes your have – leather, synthetic or any other material – they should be cleaned from any dirt or other particles. This will ensure that paint sticks properly to the material of shoes that are being painted. the better, however, you can start painting your shoes after washing them with shoe cleaner or soap and water then let them dry.

Use Quality Shoe Paint

To avoid your shoes from cracking, you need to get the best acrylic shoe paint on the market. One needs to always use the same brand of paint in the painting of shoes to help avoid cases of cracking. Intermixing different brands should be avoided because when you do this the paint will start cracking since each brand company has its own formula they use to produce the paint. To see the best acrylic paints for shoe painting, read our article.

Apply The Paint In Thin Layers

While painting your shoes, you can be tempted to add many layers of paint in a bid to avoid them cracking. But this is not the best strategy. Rather, apply a thin coat of acrylic paint on your shoes, and it is recommended that painting be done in coats. By applying two – three thin coats of the paint on your shoes, you will be protecting your shoes from cracks. It is recommended that you paint on one side, wait until it dries before painting on the other side.

Pay Attention to the Areas That Will Move on Your Shoes

The front end of your shoes is the part that experiences the most wear and tear when you are walking. This is the best area that the acrylic shoe paint will crack as the shoe moves most at this section. One idea is that this part of the shoes should be painted sensitively so as to paint in the direction that the shoe bends to reduce chances of cracking. 

Apply a Sealant

After a couple of hours or when the acrylic paint has dried to your desired color drench and the result achieved it is time to use the acrylic sealant. This is a critical step because the sealant will protect the paint and ensure that your painted shoes will be ok longer than any other shoe that has been left uncovered. The last thing that you would need is to have the acrylic sealant take its time in drying of the shoes before you have the pleasure of wearing them. That is why Angelus Acrylic Finisher is a great choice as it stays flexible even when totally cured. This is the kind of finish you want instead of a rigid sheen that will crack at the slightest movement. Instead you can try using a material like Mod Podge or even ScotchGard Water Seal to complete the job in question. Each of these products will certainly keep your shoes sealed and safe from harsh weather and is advisable to go for any of the two if you have any lying around.

Therefore it is essential to take your time, and the above steps can effectively reduce the chances of the acrylic paint cracking on the shoes. Clean your shoes correctly, use professional shoe paint, give multiple thin layers instead of one thick layer, and consider which parts of your shoes will rub when worn, apply a sealer. As such, you can be able to get appropriate looking shoes that have been painted and at the same time have them last longer.

How To Keep Paint From Peeling Off Shoes

If you want to prevent paint from peeling off your shoes, you should take some precautions. Here are some tips to help you keep your shoes looking good:

• Keep your shoes out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources when you are not wearing them. Heat and sunlight can degrade the paint, causing it to peel off faster.
• If your shoes get wet, avoid placing them near a heater or any heat source to dry. This can damage the paint and cause it to peel off. Instead, place your shoes in an area with good airflow and no direct sunlight.
• You can also think about using a sprayed on protection or even a sealant of your shoes so that the paint doesn’t chip either. First of all, ensure that you read the instructions to the letter and before applying it on the shoes, make sure you do this on a small section of the shoes so that in case something goes wrong you will not end up damaging your shoes.

By following these simple steps, you can help keep your shoes looking great and prevent paint from peeling off.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When painting your shoes with acrylic paint, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid to ensure the best results. Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:

• Avoid using heat to speed up the drying time of the paint. The painting has to dry on its own consequently, and it is better not to interfere with it. Heating paints will only make them even more susceptible to cracking.

• Never mix different brands of paint. Mixing different brands of paint can cause the paint to crack faster, as the paints cannot mix together.

• Make sure your shoes are completely dry before painting them. If your shoes are wet at this point, the paint will be watery and to achieve the ideal results, you will be forced to apply extra coats of paint.

• Use the right paint for the material of your shoes. The right paint contributes immensely to making the paint to seep into the material and not crack.

• Invest in quality acrylic shoe paint. Cheaper paints do not have the flexibility to move with the shoe, leading to cracking a lot faster than with quality paints.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and achieve the best results when painting your shoes with acrylic paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Painted Shoes Need Sealant?

It is always advisable that when you paint your shoes on your own then you should cover the paint with a sealant especially if it is exposed to conditions like sunlight or heat. Sealant further protects against cracking and gives your shoes superb looks for quite some time. Sealant can be applied easily, and may be done with a brush or spray.

What's the Best Way To Weatherproof Painted Shoes?

To protect your painted shoes from the weather, it's best to use a waterproofing spray like ScotchGard. Once the sealant has dried, spray your shoes with the waterproofing spray to keep them safe from the elements and dirt. It's important to note that the waterproofing spray should only be applied after the sealant has dried completely. Additionally, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials when cleaning your painted shoes, as this can damage the paint.

Conclusion

The key to avoiding the cracking of the acrylic paint on the shoes is very easy and can also be used to maintain the shoes. According to the guidelines outlined in the above sources, you will be sure that your shoes will not develop cracks, and the looks will be perfect. Some of these include ensuring that the shoes are well prepared, using the appropriate paints and sealants as well as ensuring that the shoes receive enough time to dry before the next processes. If you spend your time doing these things, your shoes will look good for quite some time.