Crocks have recently gained significant popularity due to their flexible style and comfort. They’re the most straightforward shoes you can customize to fit your preferred taste and style.
Can you spray paint crocs to customize them to your preferred design? Is spray painting crocs a good idea?
Spray painting your crocs is a great way to give them some personality and especially if you mix several unique colors that blend. If you’re looking for ways to spray paint your crocs, this guide will show you how.
Can You Spray Paint Crocs?
Yes, you can spray paint crocs and create beautiful designs and patterns that add a touch of personality to your shoes. With the right spray paint and a great design in mind, it’s possible to transform your crocs into a nice customized design that people will notice.
What Materials do You Need to Spray Paint Crocs?
We will cover everything you need to know if you want to spray paint your crocs, such as the right paint to use, preparing your crocs for spray painting, and more.
The first thing you have to do is to get all the necessary supplies you’ll need. To spray paint crocs, gather the following materials:
A nice pair of Crocs. It should be of good quality and made with durable materials.
The preferred color of your spray paint
Newspapers or paper towels
A primer and tape
A good location with sufficient ventilation
Once you have everything ready, the following steps will guide you on how to spray paint your crocs.
How to Spray Paint Crocs (Step by Step)
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you spray paint your crocs like a professional.
Step 1: Prepare your crocs for spray painting
First things first. Your crocs should be clean and clear of debris and dirt before you can add those beautiful new patterns to them. Wash your crocs with soap and water and allow them to dry out in the sun. Note that you can’t spray on wet crocs, so move to the next step after drying.
Step 2: Prime the Crocs
The next step is to apply a primer to the Crocs. Since Crocs are made of rubber, you must ensure maximum paint adhesion; priming will help you achieve that.
To apply the primer, spray it directly on the surface of your crocs, ensuring the layers are thin and even, then allow it to dry for about half an hour. Remember, priming before spraying is essential, so don’t skip this step.
Step 3: Protect Against Over spraying
The good thing about spray painting Crocs is that you can use as many color designs and patterns as you like. If that’s what you want, you can protect some parts of your crocs from spraying with a specific color.
You do this by covering that area with paper towels or old newspapers, leaving only a particular area you want to spray with different paint. With that done, move on to the fun part, which is spray painting.
Step 4: Time to spray paint
Now grab your spray cans and get to work. Be sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area to protect yourself against toxic fumes. Start by applying light, even layers of paint. Also, ensure you don’t have the can too close to the Crocs when spraying. A distance of 6-8 inches is recommended to avoid spray paint lines and runs in the paint finish.
After applying the first layer, allow it to rest for half an hour until it’s dry before adding the next coat of paint. A minimum of five layers is recommended, and you should pause between layers to ensure sufficient drying time.
After completing the last layer of paint, let the Crocs dry for 24 hours before wearing them. That’s how straightforward spray painting Crocs is.
Can You Hydro Dip Crocs?
Absolutely, hydro dipping your crocs in a dyed water solution to create a nice design is a great way to customize your footwear. White crocs are the best for hydro-dipping because the neutral color allows other colors to blend well.
However, if your crocs are of a different solid color, you can still drop-dip them and get the best results. It’s also better to use new Crocs instead of old ones.
How to Hydro Dip Crocs
First, clean your crocs with baby wipes or a damp cloth and let them dry for about 5 minutes.
If you don’t want to hydro dip some parts of the crocs, tape them off. Use masking tape to seal those sections that you want to leave blank or dye with a different color. The best areas to tape off are the soles and heels, as well as the buttons on the straps.
Then follow the steps below to learn how to hydro dip crocs the correct way;
Fill a bucket with water and ensure the water is of average temperature.
Shake the spray paint can to create a uniform paste, then add as many unique spray paint colors as you want inside the bucket. Ensure the paint is fully absorbed in the water.
Now take a screwdriver and poke decorative patterns in the paint solution.
Put the Crocs in the paint solution inside the bucket and ensure the crocs are fully submerged. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, remove the crocs and let them dry out for as long as possible or 24 hours. Your hydro-dipped crocs will be ready for use by then.
Best Spray Paint for Crocs
Crocs typically come in a single color, and you may find them a bit boring and in need of some makeover. Customizing with spray paint is the easiest and cheapest option. The challenge comes with choosing the right spray paint to work with.
Acrylic and enamel spray paints are known for compatibility with most materials, including rubber and plastic. This means they can be great for your crocs, especially if you want something durable.
Ideally, we recommend enamel spray paint because it doesn’t chip or peel off and will retain the new look on your crocs for long.
Alternatively, use fabric paints which can also work well on Crocs. The Crocs brand has unique “Croc-a-doodles” fabric paint pens for customizing Crocs shoes.
The only drawback is that fabric paints are washable, unlike enamel and acrylic paint. These washable options give you the advantage and flexibility of customizing your crocs as often as you want.
How to Seal Spray Paint on Crocs?
Sealing your crocs is not at all necessary, but you can do it depending on your preference and to improve the durability of your customized Crocs. Sealing is best done after applying the final coat of spray paint and allowing it to dry for 30-40 minutes.
Once the paint is dry, apply a thin clear coat of sealant and give it a 24-hour drying time. Your Crocs should be ready for use after that.
How Do You Protect Painted Crocs?
The beautiful tye-dye graphics on your crocs can be colorful and impressive until they peel off after a few days of wearing your shoes. When this happens, how do you protect painted Crocs?
As mentioned, sealing is the best way to prolong the durability of your painted crocs. Sealing also helps create a clear protective finish. We recommend applying several layers of acrylic sealer for a glossy finish or matte-finish acrylic sealer.
One rule of thumb with a sealant is not to leave the protected Crocs in the sun for too long. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the sealant to shrink and warp, which in turn can cause the paint to peel.
The same applies to storage. Once your crocs are protected with a sealant, ensure you air dry them after cleaning and store them in a cool, dry place.
FAQS – Can you spray paint crocs
Will spray paint stick to rubber shoes?
It depends on the type of paint you use. Acrylic and enamel paints are formulated to adhere easily on plastic and rubber surfaces, while for other types of paint, you’ll need to add an exterior primer before painting to enhance adhesion and increase durability.
Is it OK to Spray Paint Shoes?
You can improve the look and quality of an old pair of shoes with leather, enamel, or acrylic spray paint. Depending on the type of shoes you want to revitalize, you can also use paint markers or fabric paints.
What can I use to decorate my Crocs?
You can use Jibbitz charms for crocs, sandals, and shoes to decorate your crocs or any type of shoes. These are small ornamental beads that you can insert at 45 degrees in the holes of your crocs to enhance their aesthetics.
What kind of paint will stay on crocs?
Acrylic paint is popular for its flexibility and compatibility with most materials. It’s the one type of paint that doesn’t crack, fade or peel away easily. You can use it to change or create a unique design on your crocs. Acrylic paint is readily available at your local crafts store.
How long does spray paint take to dry on rubber?
Since Crocs are made of rubber and plastic, it’s essential to know how long it takes for spray paint to dry and how long you’ll need to wait before using your crocs. Rubber being a porous material, you should wait at least 24 hours for your spray-painted Crocs to dry.
Content Summary – Crocs with spray paint
In summary, you can spray paint Crocs as you can hydro-dip them. You need to work with the best quality spray to transform and revitalize your crocs.
So far, enamel and acrylic paint take the lead as the best spray paint you can use on Crocs, and if you apply acrylic sealant, your customized Crocs should last much longer without peeling or fading.
Similarly, hydro dipping is another technique for beautifying an old pair of Crocs or simply redesigning to give them a touch of personality. Not to mention that Crocs are the easiest type of shoes to hydro-dip, making it a fun project to try.
If you have been wondering if you can spray paint Crocs, you now have your answer. What’s left is for you to take action by implementing the tips covered here to design a beautiful pair of Crocs for yourself.