Wait for the rubbing alcohol to dry once the shoe has been cleaned — this should only take a few minutes.
Cut the painter’s tape into shorter or thinner strips to make applying the tape easier, if necessary.
If desired, you can also just use a white acrylic paint as a primer option. If you’re not sure of the material of the sole, check the bottom or inside of the shoe to look for a label. If you can’t find a label, go online to find the specific shoe’s material.
The primer is dry if you touch it and it doesn’t leave any residue on your fingers.
PlastiDip is the most popular paint choice for rubber and comes in many different colors. Angelus paints are popular when painting on leather.
Paint the shoes over a piece of newspaper to protect your surfaces. The size of brush that you use is up to you, just make sure it’s small enough to paint the curves of the shoe adequately and cleanly.
If you’re painting the soles of your shoes black, these would most likely only need 1 or 2 coats of paint. If you’re painting the soles a lighter or brighter color, such as a yellow, pink, or bright blue, you’ll need more than 2 coats of paint.
Leaving the shoes indoors in a cooler environment will allow them to dry faster.
You can choose from both shiny or matte clear coats, depending on which you’d prefer.
Do a touch-test to determine if the coat of sealant is dry or not. If your finger comes back with sealant residue, it’s not dry yet.
As an added precaution, you can allow the sealant to dry overnight to ensure the soles are completely dry.
