Rubber soles are the part of the shoes that are made of rubber and which are considered to be non-slippery. Not all shoes are designed the same, some shoes are made from leather and other materials.
The main characteristic of rubber soles is that it’s designed to offer floor grip when faced with moisture or other environmental conditions. In terms of being water-resistant, rubber soles shoes are a favorite of many, it’s hard and it’s able to withstand the outside elements.
A great benefit of rubber soles is that you’re able to design or customize them to your style. Tons of sites offer you the option to select your type of rubber sole so that you may be able to customize a shoe to your style. Many people prefer to go for a DIY and customize the rubber sole of a shoe on their own.
There are ways you can style the rubber sole of your shoe to be able to stand out from the rest and show your unique style and personality, but some people just want their tired and used-up shoes to look vibrant and new once again. This can be achieved by painting the rubber soles of shoes or the entire shoes.
StepsTo Paint The Soles
In this segment we list a few steps to follow on how to paint the rubber soles on sneakers:
Things you’ll need
- Acetone
- Cotton balls
- Tape
- Paint
- Xacto knife
- Matte finish painted
- Gloves
Step 1: Start by cleaning off the area of the sneakers you want to paint, clean it off from dust or dirt so the paint may adhere better. Adhering is an important step; it will make the paint last longer and reduce paint cracking. Clean with a brush or with a wet rag for better results.
Step 2: Prepare the sneakers by cleaning the area of the sneakers to be painted with acetone and a cotton ball, this is to remove the factory finish and some of the paint which is ok. Acetone is known as a solvent that can be used as a deglosser. The goal is not to remove the paint itself but the finished paint. Try to remove as much finish as possible to create a bond between the new paint and the surface of the shoes.
Step 3: Next, tape the sneakers to avoid getting paint on the areas you don’t want to paint. Tapes like vinyl and masking tape are most commonly used and known for their flexibility. The tape can be replaced as needed or retaped to the area if not sticky enough. It is recommended to take your time taping the shoes to prevent paint from leaking. An Exacto knife can be used to cut out the edges of the tape but use with precaution.
Step 4: Paint the area with the color of your choice with a brush or with an airbrush tool and allow it to dry. Whether you use a brush or an airbrush tool doesn’t make much difference, they both show to have a similar effect when painting and it’s recommended to just choose the one you’re comfortable with.
Paint 3-5 thin coats or as needed and allow up to 30 minutes in between coats for the paint to completely dry. If done too thick, it may take longer to dry and you may need to remove excess paint with the acetone. Many people use a heat dryer or other types of drying methods to speed up the drying process.
Step 5: If the paint leaked to other areas of your shoes which you weren’t planning to paint, or if you made a mistake, use acetone and cotton ball to remove the unwanted paint immediately. You can also choose to retape the area if necessary and contour it to the shape of the sneakers, especially if using an airbrush that spreads the dust of the paint.
Step 6: To make the paint last longer and avoid cracking it is recommended to apply a sealant in between coats together with the paint for paint durability. Mod podge is a very well-known clear acrylic sealer which will make cleaning your sneakers easy. It’s available in a matte finish and will make your shoes waterproof. Another well-known sealer is the Angelus Acrylic Finisher which will protect the sneakers from scratches and scrapes. When sealer is applied it initially has a translucent white color unto it because it’s wet, once dry, it becomes transparent and seals the paint.
Step 7: Once you’re finished painting the shoes, apply 2 to 3 coats of matte finisher for a fuller look and also, so that the paint may last longer. Wait for each sealant coat to dry properly which happens when the translucent white color of the sealant becomes transparent. Carefully remove the tape to avoid peeling the paint. The matte finish is available in a spray can and in different brands if you’re on a budget. Shake well before use as it’s designed to protect the color with a matte finish.
How To Paint Your Sneakers?
Painting the soles of sneakers has become somewhat trendy these days. It is considered very easy to do and it has become a great alternative to repair your favorite shoes instead of having to buy a new one. Sneakers are mostly made from leather and acrylic paints can be used to paint the soles of the shoes.
Angelus is a well-known brand preferred for its different and vibrant colors which can be used to paint your favorite sneakers. They are specially designed for leather and will make the sneakers waterproof once painted. You can also combine the colors to create a color of your choice. Angelus paints are known to be somewhat affordable.
The sole of a shoe is very important as well as the comfort since it is designed to protect your feet, some soles are made from high-quality materials such as leather and Vibram which are very popular right now.
We hope you found these tips helpful.