THE   DANCING  TORSO  CO

HOW DO I PREPARE SHOES FOR PAINTING

It is very important that before painting shoes or products that you properly prepare the surface.

This applies to previously painted AND new shoes. Even new shoes sometimes have a coating on the leather,

 which may prevent paint from adhering properly. To prepare the shoes they must be thoroughly stripped 

by wiping with either non oily acetones, white spirits or methylated spirits until most of the old paint is removed.

Or in the case of new shoes until the surface dulls. 

NOW PACK AND STUFF THE SHOES TIGHTLY WITH NEWSPAPER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PAINT

 

HOW DO I PAINT THE SHOES & HOW THICK

If you have finished the preparations of the surfaces as above

you may begin by applying a thin even first coat. 

Avoid overpainting so as to not pull off the wet paint. Which will result in a lumpy finish.

The second coat should also be applied evenly.

In this way the second coat builds up a better coverage that holds onto the substrate (The shoes or product being painted.)

The process is similar to painting nail varnish.

Only with more applied pressure 

 

HOW LONG DO I WAIT BETWEEN COATS & WHEN TO PAINT

 AVOID painting in high humidity and temperature under 12 degrees celsius.

And allow 40 minutes between coats

following these instructions and conditions helps to  give good painting results. 

 

FURTHER TIPS, WARNINGS & ADVICE 

WARNING Shoes and Accessories come in such varied substances, Which have different properties.

Sometimes when painting shoes the results may differ depending on the characteristics of the substances.

Acetones and other strippers and cleaners may actually melt and destroy some synthetic materials.  

The previous instuctions above were for general raw leather painting.

So pre testing and personal judgement is required before attempting procedure on any materials. 

If a substance is not suitable to clean with solvents a light wipe over with a mild detergent

may make it possible to paint the product.

EXTRA TIPS Some light or difficult colors with low opaqueness may need additional coats. 

Or even undercoating  check asterisks on color chart for colors that may be more difficult. 

Pointe shoes and satin or canvas shoes without an undercoat can dry a lot darker than the same  color on leather.

Bare in mind, when selecting items to paint to make a matching set of shoes and accessories,

that if they are different shades and tones of color to begin with ,  different finishing tones may  result. 

WARNING KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND USE IN VENTILATED AREAS.

 

HOW DO I CLEAN UP AFTER PAINTING

 

Clean brushes in cold soapy water ASAP or any other tools and equipment used in the process of carrying out painting.