How To Prevent Acrylic Paint From Cracking On Shoes

If you have a creative spirit, there’s a good chance that at least once, you have attempted to paint shoes.

There’s hardly any doubt that splashing colors on shoes add a fabulous look to them. And for this purpose, acrylic paint is the best option as it does not wear off easily. But I have to tell you that without proper experience, you might turn it into a mess.

When my children were younger, they destroyed quite a few of their converse shoe pairs trying to paint them. So, to help them out, I conducted a lot of research and learned about a few techniques that everyone who wants to paint their shoes should know.

And in this process, I got interested in doing it myself. Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today, I am going to share my knowledge and experience of using paint on shoes. After reading my guide, I am sure that you will know all about how to prevent acrylic paint from cracking on shoes.

So, without any delay, let’s dive right in!

How To Prevent Acrylic Paint From Cracking On Shoes

When working with acrylic paint on shoes, you have to stay extra cautious to ensure that it does not get cracked. And for that, I would suggest that you take the following steps. 

1. Use A Paint Sealant

One thing that my decade-long experience of working with paint has taught me is to always use a sealant when I am done painting. This extra step prevents the paint from incurring damages, at least to some extent. 

I understand that it might feel like it is consuming a lot of time, even after you are done painting. But remember, this one small step will prevent you from a lot of future hassles. But when applying the sealant, ensure that you are not using it to cover one spot for too long. 

A reckless application can cause more damage than good, so I would advise you to stay careful about this. Apply it in small bursts and be patient while doing it. And if you are still wondering if taking all this trouble is worth it, once you see the extra shine, I am sure there will be no more complaints.

For people who like to go a step further, even applying a waterproof coating is a good idea. But when waterproofing or using a sealant, always remember to let the paint on the shoes’ surface dry up properly. Without that, the protective layers won’t function as effectively. 

2. Try Not To Mix Brands

When I paint my shoes, I try to get as creative as possible and end up using a lot of colors. And if you plan on doing the same, I suggest that you use all the colors from the same brand. 

It is not a proven thing, but my artist friends always suggest that mixing brands is not a smart thing to do. So, to stay on the safe side, I would suggest that you do the same. As shoes get exposed to all kinds of weather situations, it is best to stick to the same consistency and paint quality by using only one brand. 

3. Thin Layers Of Paint

I understand that you might be in double minds about painting a shoe if you are doing it for the first time. But trust me, with the right techniques, it will be a cakewalk.

Painting on shoes is not much different from painting on other surfaces. You always need to ensure that there is no excess paint on your brush. And you should always avoid using multiple strokes on the same area. Instead, try putting a single stroke of paint in a particular area. 

But make sure not to rush through this process and put the second coat only when the first one is completely dry. I would strongly recommend being patient with this process to ensure that the paint doesn’t crack later on. 

If you are working on any painting project and you end up rushing, then chances are that the color will crack soon. So, air dry the shoes for at least a couple of days. And if you find any moist areas even after that, use a blow dryer (on the lowest setting) to speed up the process.

4. Applying Too Much Heat

I can tell you with conviction that using direct heat on your painted shoes can make the color crack. Some of my friends tried using their hairdryer to dry the paint, and the results were disastrous. 

It is a common misunderstanding that if you apply heat on wet paint, it will dry quickly. But let me tell you that paints do not work like that. All your effort will go down the drain if in the end your project gets ruined by mistakes like this. 

Also, remember that this problem might even arise later when you start wearing your painted shoes, especially if they had come in contact with direct sunlight while drying. 

One important thing to remember when applying acrylic colors on shoes is that paint makes them fragile. Hence, you need to take proper care to ensure to prevent them from being completely useless. 

Store the shoes in an area that is well-ventilated and does not receive direct sunlight.

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