So really... how hard is it to turn boots silver?

Blog

Forum

Finds

So really... how hard is it to turn boots silver?

ironkurtin

Veteran

The silver boots I ordered were ugh. Gappy at the ankle and felt cheap - they went back immediately.

But now I've got the silver boots bug. If I were to turn an old black pair silver, how would I do it?

11 years ago

Inspiration

17 replies

Latest reply was from AnnieMouse

DonnaF

Veteran

Use Tarrago shoe dye? See Diana's recent post. Rae has used it; Claire, too I think.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Here is the thread where I asked about the Tarrago dyes earlier today:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....allic-dyes

Sounds like in your case you would need to get the dye (more opaque) and not the polish. I am going to order the polish since I just want to put a metallic cast over the existing color rather than an opaque metallic finish.

11 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

The tarrago metallic dye is on my DIY list. I think i am going to go with the dye for a boot where I am looking for coverage and the cream for a purse where I am just looking for a touch of shimmer. In the past I have done 3 projects with the tarrago self shine dyes and they are all pretty easy to use. The purses have a little cracking with use and the shoe a has nick in the heel of the color eve though I am pretty careful with them so I would say items handled this route will need occasional touch ups. i dont think the color is a durable as a leather the has been tanned with the color integral to the hide... that said the touch ups are so easy it hardly seems too much of a worry.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Surely no harder than to turn straw into gold?

Vix is an expert at shoe dying. Check with her. She did some illustrated posts on this a few years ago -- specifically on making shoes metallic.

11 years ago

amiable

Veteran

http://www.dharmatrading.com/p.....aints.html

Read the reviews on the color (I guess silver and gold do best with a coordinating underlayer).

I'm planning to buy some of these someday and experiment with painting some shoes.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I found a spray paint for leather at the craft store (we have one that caters to Native artists who work with leather) and did a pair of gold oxfords. It's probably not as soft and natural as leather dye but it worked for my lazy purposes!

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Here:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ni-oxfords

11 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Una inspired me to paint my oxfords with that spray and I think it worked beautifully. I have to reapply once in while to get the shine back tough, but it takes a second! I used antique silver, not pure silver which is less bright than, I assume

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Great idea, no advice but I would encourage you to give it a go.

11 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Thank you, ladies - I love that there are multiple posts from which I can learn how best to do this!

11 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

Make sure you thoroughly strip the old finish before you recoat, that's my advice. Otherwise the paint will flake off.

11 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi IK --

I just wrote a novel-with-photos on Diana's post (linked above).

To go over black I'd get the darkest of the Tarrago metallic silver shades and be prepared to do lots of coats. My darkest base-to-metallic thus far has been fairly light -- a medium steel blue -- and IIRC that took 3-4 coats for full pigmentation.

I'm addicted to Tarrago pearly and metallic leather creams, however, and I heartily recommend experimenting -- perhaps on a black belt or something first.

11 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Question for the experts:
I found a pair of Frye OTKs in a bone colour (seen in this post: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lotsa-pink, in photots 4 & 5). Would the dye kits be enough to handle that much leather, or would I need to buy more than one? (I'm not 100% sure about the bone colour)

11 years ago

Anonymous

I think an antique silver would work GREAT over black. If you have an old pair that you don't mind risking, I think it's worth a shot.

11 years ago

JuneBug

Veteran

What a wonderful idea! I'm sorry my post is of no help, but it's something I'm definitely going to try with my black and now boring (and slightly scuffed) booties! I recently dyed a pair of cream gloves to a silvery hue (matte) and was surprised they looked so good! It did require a whole lot of fabric paint though!

11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Annie, you'd need more than one. Maybe three for OTK boots... lots of real estate when they go up that high.

11 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Rae, thanks for the info. I picked them up because I know I like the Campus style, and how it works into my wardrobe, but I wasn't 100% sold on the colour (... which is why they were on clearance, I'm presuming). I had been toying with the idea of trying to dye them, and with so many fabulous results, I'm even more strongly inclined now.

11 years ago

Category