Alright, so I finally got around to tackling that yellow and black Dunk project I’ve been dreaming about for ages. Let me walk you through the whole thing, from start to finish.
First things first: I needed a base shoe. I managed to snag a clean, used pair of all-white Dunks for a steal online. They were in pretty good shape, just needed a good cleaning – nothing major.
Next up: Prep work. This is crucial. I started by thoroughly cleaning the entire shoe with some sneaker cleaner and a soft brush. Made sure to get all the dirt and grime off, inside and out. Then, I used masking tape to carefully cover the areas I didn’t want to paint – the swoosh, the midsole stitching, the tongue tag… basically anything that was staying white.
Now for the fun part: The yellow! I used an acrylic leather paint specifically designed for shoes. I applied several thin coats, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. This is key to avoid cracking and ensure a smooth, even finish. I think I did about four coats of yellow to get the vibrancy I was looking for. Patience is REALLY important here.
Then came the black accents: I wanted to add some black detailing to make the yellow pop even more. I used a smaller brush and black acrylic paint to carefully paint the edges of the yellow panels, creating a sort of outlined effect. This took some steady hands, I’m not gonna lie! A little bit of black goes a long way.
After everything was painted: I let the shoes dry COMPLETELY for at least 24 hours. This is non-negotiable. You don’t want to ruin all your hard work by handling them too soon.
Once dry, I removed the masking tape. This is always a satisfying moment! It reveals the clean lines and the contrast between the yellow, black, and white. I went over any imperfections with a tiny brush and some touch-up paint.
Finally: I sealed everything with a matte finisher. This protects the paint from scratches and wear and tear, and gives the shoes a nice, uniform finish. I applied two coats of finisher, letting each coat dry completely.
And that’s it! My yellow and black Dunks are finally done. It was a bit of a process, but totally worth it. They look amazing, and I get tons of compliments whenever I wear them. I am already planning my next project!
- Clean the shoes REALLY WELL
- Use THIN coats of paint
- Be patient and let everything dry completely.
Seriously. Don’t rush. You’ll thank me later.
