How Long Does Acrylic Paint Last On Shoes?

A good pair of shoes live a long and prosperous life. Durable kicks are expensive, but they have endurance. We walk miles in them, in all sorts of conditions. This longevity is both a blessing and a curse. Shoes may last – style does not.

Luckily, a little effort and know-how can save a dated shoe. Whether your beloved Keds were so last season or you want to add some personal flair to some reliable work boots, acrylic paints can revitalize your shoes.

Acrylic paint lasts on shoes for years as long as you mix it with a textile medium, apply the paint in layers, and take good care of the shoes. However, without following the proper methods, your acrylic paint will only last for a few weeks of wearing the shoes.

While there is no defined lifespan for acrylics, this article will discuss impacting factors and the best ways to apply acrylic paints for maximum longevity. So, How Long Does Acrylic Paint Last on Shoes?

Table of Contents

1 What Damages Acrylic Paint on Shoes?
2 What Makes Acrylics Last on Shoes?
3 How Do I Clean Acrylic Painted Shoes?
4 What Kinds of Shoes Do Acrylics Work On?
5 What if I Want To Wash Off My Acrylic Design?
6 Final Words
7 Sources

What Damages Acrylic Paint on Shoes?

Acrylic paints have no built-in lifespan. Their chemical makeup is straightforward. They usually contain three ingredients that dry into, basically, plastic.

The factors that damage acrylic paint on shoes are heat, water, and wear. So, when you paint your shoes with acrylic paint, always be sure to keep them dry and don’t ever stick them in a hot dryer or washing machine.

They won’t simply fade, but external influences impact the paint’s integrity. Some factors that might make a big difference in how long acrylic paint will last on shoes are:

Heat: Extreme heat, to be more precise. Your acrylic design will survive on your summer shoes. However, extreme heat – say from a drying machine – causes the paint to crack. When applying acrylic paint to your shoes, never use a hairdryer to speed up the setup.

Water: The elements are no friends to acrylic paints. While acrylics are water-resistant, they are also water-soluble. Fortunately, proper application combats potential water damage, but more on that later.

Foot Flex: Our feet bend more than we realize, and our shoes move in tandem. The natural flex of your footwear can result in paint cracking and peeling.

What Makes Acrylics Last on Shoes?

Even if acrylics appeal to you because you can remove them, no one wants to spend the time and energy on a paint job that immediately cracks. Let’s look at some of the best ways to achieve a lasting design.

Some factors that make acrylics last longer on shoes are how you clean them, paint them, and seal them. Gleaning them gently and applying the paint in layers with a textile medium and sealer can add years to your paint job’s lifespan.

Clean the Surface of your Shoes

Loose dirt and debris impact the way paint adheres to a shoe. A simple cleaning makes a huge difference! Just make sure you use the proper cleaning methods for your shoes.

Here are some examples of how to clean acrylic painted shoes by the fabric type:

Fabric, Canvas, or Cloth Shoes: You should clean fabric, canvas, and cloth shoes with warm, soapy water and a rag. Don’t soak them, and make sure they are thoroughly dry before applying paint.

Leather Shoes: On the other hand, you should clean leather shoes with rubbing alcohol. Apply the alcohol to a soft rag and brush all particles clear.

Vinyl Shoes: Finally, it would be best to clean vinyl shoes with a lacquer thinner and a clean cloth.

Apply The Paint Properly

There is a proper way to do the job when you paint fabrics, especially shoes, with acrylics. If you don’t use the correct method, your paint will likely flake, chip, or wash off in no time.

So, let’s talk more about the right way to paint shoes:

Use a textile medium. When you use acrylic paint on any fabric, mixing it with a textile medium will make it last longer. Textile media will add a flexible, durable seal to each layer of acrylic paint, giving you fantastic, long-lasting results.

Dry every layer completely. Whether you choose to paint an elaborate design or go for vivid colors, you will need to apply several layers of paint. Each layer must dry before you apply the next.

Thin layers. Luckily, acrylics dry pretty quickly. Allow 15 minutes for each layer. That said, be sure to apply your layers thinly. Thick coatings are more likely to crack. They will also take longer to dry, and you’ll need the paint to be thoroughly dry before undertaking our next mitigation measure.

Use short brush strokes. The longer the stroke, the higher the probability of cracking. Using short strokes minimizes the chance of the paint breaking.

Paint with the bend of your shoe. Find your shoe wrinkles. Bend them and see which directions they flex in. Painting with the natural folds of your shoes minimizes the potential for cracks and breaks.

Don’t mix paint brands. Mixing brands will sacrifice the integrity of your acrylics, so stick to one brand for application.

Let them dry completely. Before you apply a sealant, your shoes must be completely dry. Allow at least 24 hours for this. Do not, under any circumstances, use a hairdryer to speed up the process.

Tape off any areas you don’t want to paint. Put painter’s tape over any areas you want to keep clean. That way, you can focus on the evenness of your layers without having to think twice about producing clean lines.

Apply a Sealant

Once your shoes are thoroughly dry, apply a plastic sealant. Sealants can waterproof your shoes and offer a flexible outer layer to keep that paint on your kicks permanently.

As you paint it on, don’t drag the sealant. Spray it on in rapid bursts.

How Do I Clean Acrylic Painted Shoes?

You can clean acrylic painted shoes with a damp rag and gentle, smooth wipes. Never place acrylic painted shoes in the washing machine or dryer because the force of the machine will damage the paint and potentially wash it off.

What Kinds of Shoes Do Acrylics Work On?

Acrylic paints work on almost every shoe type, including canvas, leather, vinyl, and other fabrics like mesh. However, acrylic paint sticks to some materials better than others, and certain materials require more care and treatment.

So, let’s look at some factors you may need to consider depending on each shoe fabric type:

Leather Shoes: Granted, it is improbable that most will want to paint leather shoes, but it’s never impossible. Painting them does, however, require more work. Leather has a silicone coating that you must remove. Use a piece of sandpaper to rub off the shiny layer. Once the leather is rough and dull, it is ready for a coat of paint.

Fabric Shoes: When painting fabric shoes, mix your paint with an acrylic polymer medium. The medium will make the acrylic easier to spread. It also dries softly and is pleasant to the touch.

Vinyl Shoes: Vinyl shoes are the most receptive to acrylic paints and are simple to cover with paint since they are so smooth and also have a plastic base. Every hue of acrylic paint will work over any shade of vinyl shoe – your imagination is the limit.

What if I Want To Wash Off My Acrylic Design?

Acrylic painting on shoes is an excellent option for sustainability because while it can last for a long time, you can remove it. So, with acrylics, you can revamp your shoes as frequently as you’d like.

Acrylics are water-resistant but not waterproof. You can remove your paint job with a bit of effort using the below methods:

Warm Water and Dish Soap: Fill a basin with warm water and dish soap. Using a toothbrush, scrub the paint you want to remove. It may put up a bit of a fight, but you will triumph.

Acetone: A little acetone will remove any lingering color and paint. Have some spare nail polish remover? Use an old toothbrush to scrub the remaining acrylic with the acetone remover. Be sure to rinse them well after to prevent damaging the fabric. You’ll have a clean canvas to repaint however you please.

Final Words

Acrylic paints are a fun and effective way to spruce up old shoes, and your paint job can last years if you apply and treat it right. So, please don’t throw away your old kicks – a little preparation and care are all it takes to paint your own, one-of-a-kind shoes.

Sources

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