Renew Your Shoes for $5

Want the look of new shoes without the cost? I didn't feel like spending another $60 for a new pair that would probably get ruined in a matter of months and I really wanted to have a pair of white shoes that i wouldn't worry so much about getting dirty.

This instructable will show you how to revamp those old shoes for a new look. And for just around $5, its the perfect solution for an empty wallet and the kid who doesn't like to get rid of old, ugly shoes.

Step 1: Materials

You need:

Old shoes
Small Paint Brushes
Palette or something to mix paint on
Acrylic Paint (color of choice)
Fabric Painting Medium*
Household Cleaner Spray or Cleaning Wipes**
      + bleach or ajax to clean white laces

You can easily get the paint and paint brushes at any craft store for about $5 altogether.

*Make sure that you get enough bottles of paint and mixing medium for the project. Its usually a 2:1 paint to medium ratio. 1 bottle of each ended up being enough for me though.

**The spray/ wipes are just to clean the shoes a little before painting so that the paint goes on smoother and with less coats.

Step 2: Preparation

First set up an area where you can let your shoes dry overnight. Lay some newspaper or a small tarp down to prevent making a mess.

Clean Your Shoes
Now we need to clean those old shoes up. If you have any dirt on your shoes, it will ball up when you try to paint over it and you'll have to use more paint to try to cover it up. I just used some 409 to clean up the sides where the rubber is. If your shoes are really dirty, I would recommend throwing them in the washing machine, sans laces*, just so that the paint doesn't absorb all the dirt in the fabric when you try to paint them.

*If the laces are white, you can clean them up pretty easily. I Just used some ajax and a little water and rubbed it in. Then let it set in the sink for 5 minutes and then rinse off the excess soap to reveal significantly whiter laces. Throw them in the dryer for another 5 to ten minutes and they'll be done.

Mix the Paint
Once you're done with that, mix your paint and medium. You should use separate containers and brushes for different colors so that you don't have to hassle with cleaning your brush in between. Mix a good amount also so that you don't have to stop halfway through to mix a new batch of paint.

Now your shoes are ready to paint.

Step 3: Painting Your Shoes

Just go for it!
I used the paint on every outer part of my shoes, including the sides of the sole and even the rivet shoelace holes. Its up to you, however, which parts you want to and don't want to paint.

First set down a base coat and let that dry for an hour or so.* The second coat will fill in all those little spots you missed and deepen the color so that you don't see the natural color of the shoes.**

When you are satisfied with your paint job, let the shoes dry overnight. They should be ready relatively fast so if you decide the next morning you want to add some finishing touches, it should only take a couple more hours to dry.

*If you want a more faded out and used look, don't do a second coat.

**I used a second coat of just the plain acrylic for the sides of the soles on my shoes since they aren't really fabric and to make them stand out a little more.

Tip: These shoes are your creation, so if you really want to personalize them, add some designs or new logos of your own. Splash a little color on the side for a hip look.


 

Step 4: Finished Product and Clean Up

Clean all your materials before you go to bed in case you want to add some more finishing touches in the morning. Once you get up, relace those bad boys and see what you've made!

Enjoy your new kicks and if they get dirty or you get bored, just add a few color accents or just repaint the entire shoe! Have Fun!