Mr.Friske Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have done quite a bit of research, both here and the internet and really can't find what I the information that I want. As the titles suggest, I want to paint some of my wife's patent/PU leather heels for her. The color that she want is a metallic blue, that I can not find in any sort of shoe dye or paint. I have however found it in plastic model and automotive paints. My thought was to clean the shoes first with denatured alcohol , then possibly use the model paint since it is meant to be used on plastic. The other option is to use a automotive "bumper paint" since it is also meant to be used on plastic, plus it is also flexible. I could use this as a base layer, and then spray the color layer over the bumper paint. I don't know if this has been tried before, but I thought that I might get some input from the members here who have maybe gone down this path before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Shoe Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Try it but I think you will be disappointed. Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoerepairer Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 if you are talking "Heels" & not uppers, then using these products might be ok, but you have to treat the heel blocks like any other item they are designed for. If you are respraying a car, you would have to rub down & flatten the surface first to give the paint a key or the paint would flake off. the same thing applies to patent or any other surfaced leather. use a VERY fine grit wet & dry paper to matt down the surface prior to applying any of the products mentioned. Again if its on the heel blokes, then flexabiltiy isn't an issue & I'd mask off the upper & spray with a car derived aerosol & the lacquer. The biggest problem you could have is if the paint reacts with the original surface, spray a small amount in the lid first & brush a small amount on an inconspicuous area to see how it reacts. I have seen many paints "curdle" on the wrong surfaces. Non of this applies to uppers! Repair Reuse Recycle. Cobbler it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have done quite a bit of research, both here and the internet and really can't find what I the information that I want. As the titles suggest, I want to paint some of my wife's patent/PU leather heels for her. The color that she want is a metallic blue, that I can not find in any sort of shoe dye or paint. I have however found it in plastic model and automotive paints. My thought was to clean the shoes first with denatured alcohol , then possibly use the model paint since it is meant to be used on plastic. The other option is to use a automotive "bumper paint" since it is also meant to be used on plastic, plus it is also flexible. I could use this as a base layer, and then spray the color layer over the bumper paint. I don't know if this has been tried before, but I thought that I might get some input from the members here who have maybe gone down this path before. Oh NO..! I have tried using Car paint to change the colour of shoes before....and it doesn't take long for the paint to crack and start flaking off. You see - the shoes are still pliable underneath....but the paint sets hard - even flexible paints like Bumper paint. So it flakes when your feet start to flex the shoes...... Try to find some proper Leather Dye. It may take longer to find, but it will be well worth the effort. The best places to ask would be somewhere like a Haberdashery (a shop that sells materials for making your own clothes, curtains etc)....or a Dry Cleaners that specialises in leather goods. "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1234tazzer Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 One idea is go on line and check out Tandy Leather. They are a company that only deals with leather goods. Like Dyes and other things for leather. I'm sure if its out there they will have it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Friske Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Thank you kindly for the replies. I am, for the record, trying to color the uppers. My concern with trying a leather dye is that it will not work properly with the plastic leather as it would with real leather. Also, my wife was wanting more of a shinny appearance that I cannot find available in a dye. I have considered buying some inexpensive shoes from a second hand store to experiment on to see what kind of result can be achieved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoerepairer Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I want to paint some of my wife's patent/PU leather heels for her. I am, for the record, trying to color the uppers. if its patent uppers then disregard my reply! I based this on the topic opener for heels! there are some great dies for leather & PU uppers but NOT FOR PATENT. what ever you do on that surface, on a flexible upper you WILL REGRET it! Repair Reuse Recycle. Cobbler it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.wexler Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I have painted a few cars in the past and back when I did there was no such thing as bumper paint. What there was, was a flex agent you added to the regular paint. Then you spayed the bumpers. If you look on line at a sight like Ecklers Corvette Supply you will find something like this http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-interior-dye-spray-vinyl-1953-1962.html . I don't know what colors they have but I used a similar product on a fiberglass dashboard 20 years ago and it still looks good. I would imagine other car restoration company's would have different colors to match there vehicles. Hope this helps a little and best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay jay Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thank you kindly for the replies. I am, for the record, trying to color the uppers. My concern with trying a leather dye is that it will not work properly with the plastic leather as it would with real leather. Also, my wife was wanting more of a shinny appearance that I cannot find available in a dye. I have considered buying some inexpensive shoes from a second hand store to experiment on to see what kind of result can be achieved. Hi there. I have tried the normal duco spray on just the heels of my HH stelettos and it worked fine. Then I got brave and tried the same on the uppers ( Strappy sandals) luckely a very cheap pair and behold what has happened. As somebody else said it would crack and yes as the straps are flexable it cracked. Well so you learn.. I like the idea of the metalic blue colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Shoe Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Some shoe repairers use nail varnish to repair or restore colour on patent shoes. This is only really viable for small areas though. Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikekicks Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 Krylon ' Fusion ' paint is great for plastics as its a plastic resin type of paint. It dried like a vinyl or thin sheet of plastic thats very flexable. I cant guarantee any results with it though. REPEATEDLY ARGUMENTATIVE, INSULTING AND RUDE. BANNED FOR LIFE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Friske Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 I little update is in order here. I have found a shoe dye that is offered in a "pearlized" finish. They also offer some metallic finishes, but not in the navy blue that my wife is wanting. So, we will give this a try and see how she likes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoerepairer Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 what make was it? Repair Reuse Recycle. Cobbler it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Friske Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 what make was it? Tarrago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roniheels Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Oh NO..! I have tried using Car paint to change the colour of shoes before....and it doesn't take long for the paint to crack and start flaking off. You see - the shoes are still pliable underneath....but the paint sets hard - even flexible paints like Bumper paint. So it flakes when your feet start to flex the shoes...... Try to find some proper Leather Dye. It may take longer to find, but it will be well worth the effort. The best places to ask would be somewhere like a Haberdashery (a shop that sells materials for making your own clothes, curtains etc)....or a Dry Cleaners that specialises in leather goods. I had that same experience with Car paint and shoes. A female friend of mine had a shoe repair store use leather dye and dye a pair of leather shoes for her. It turned out great, but she said it was more money that she really wanted to spend. She still has and wears the shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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