[KnitChick]

Hi all!

I thought I'd put this out here since we have such a great group of cosplayers on this board.

I am working on a costume, it's one I'm planning to enter in at least one upcoming Masquerade (not Acen, it's a Doctor Who costume), and I'll be sewing most of it but the sticking point is the shoes. The character wears pirate-style boots (almost knee-high, folded down at the top, slight heel) but they are magenta.

Since I doubt I will find magenta pirate boots to buy (though if anyone knows where to find them for less than $50 TELL ME!) -- I'm thinking of painting the pair I already have. I have a pair of black pirate boots I bought a couple years ago for my Lenora Phantom cosplay (original character from the Danny Phantom universe ; I wore it at the Halloween meetup back in 2007 if anyone remembers it).

Has anyone ever tried to paint vinyl? They're like a faux leather vinyl material. Any ideas of what kind of paint to use? Any suggestions of how to get the paint to stick and stay on? I'm attempting to get this costume done for a photoshoot on October 23rd, or if I don't make it, for Chicago TARDIS in November, and I'll probably be wearing it a LOT.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!!

[SongstressLenne]

I have painted mutiple boot surfaces. I have painted red flames onto plastic vinyl white boots and hunter green onto matte brown boots.

This is the approach I have done for both and it's inexpensive. I use a mix of fabric paint and regular acrylics. You CAN get away with pure arcylics as long as you using textile mediums, it's a huge favorite of mine.

You will be treating this as if you are painting your nails

1. Clean and do a light sand to the boot to remove the original seal that the boot might have. Don't spend no more than about 3-4 minutes sanding each boot.

2. Brush a layer of textile medium, let dry

3.If you do not want a "brushed look" get a little paint roller or I just use my hands .

4.Your first layer of color will be dark, it's expected since you are painting on a darker surface. Mix a color with a bit of textile medium that is darker than what you are want for the first layer, paint and let dry.

5. Mix the color you are looking for with no textile medium, paint and let dry.

6. Repeat until you have the shade you desire. [save a bit in a contact case or air tight container for touch up]

7. Seal with textile medium or a clear sealer [matte for dull, glossy for a shine]

I am sure others will come in with their techniques but this has worked for me, has been cheap and I can touch up easily at con if need.

[Millions_Knives]

omg must see these boots
does it crack or peal
amazing if its a long term solution

[SongstressLenne]

I'll post pictures of my two previous works. It doesn't crack if you give the time for each layer to dry which usually is overnight.

[KnitChick]

You rock!!! Thank you, that's exactly what I needed. I never would have thought about acrylic with a textile medium. I'll have to see if I can find that at Joann Fabrics since I have a bunch of coupons this week! Now if only the forecast changes and there's not as much rain...

[Millions_Knives]

~sparkle eyes~