Painting my old Docs

[kitchen_kink]

So I'm goin' to Burning Man, folks!

I have this idea to paint my old, terribly beat-up Doc Marten boots, which have already traipsed the playa once, to make them look funky and maybe even blacklight-reactive out at night. I can't imagine that there's nobody here who's done such a thing, so I'm looking for tips! Mainly: what type of paint to use (some sites say acrylic, some leather paint), how to seal it (Future floor wax? Spray-on clear acrylic?) whether sanding/acetone beforehand is necessary, and how to keep paint from flaking off and becoming moop.

Thoughts?

Comments

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

I would strip off the existing plastic coating. Fiebing's #12 Deglazer works really well. The paint will stick much better. They also make a top coat that will replace the factory one.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Ooh. If I'd known you'd know, I would have asked you. :) I have been considering making my Docs pink, purple, and/or sparkly...

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

I have a bottle of the deglazer and top coat at home so if you want to try let me know.

[dietrich.livejournal.com]

What if they're so old and dried-out, having been through the playa once already and through goddess-knows what else, that probably the coating is already gone?

I also have used them while painting with latex paint, and the drips of paint that got on them are not going *anywhere*.

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

The top coat on leather shoes is really tough, the only way it can wear of is if you abrade it a lot. If they were oil tanned then there is no top coat. If latex paint is sticking then I would just use latex paint ;)

[dietrich.livejournal.com]

Sounds fair enough. :)