Crocs shoes are some of the most comfortable shoes you can find on the market right now. They’re soft, breathable, and provide plenty of arch support.
The only drawback to Crocs is the pattern selection. While they do have a great range of solid colors, they don’t have as many fun patterns or designs to choose from to really express yourself.
Many people who wear Crocs have taken to painting fun designs and images on them to add a little personal flair. But not all paint works on Crocs, and you have to be sure to do the process right if you don’t want the paint to flake off or wash away.
So, how do you paint Crocs? The best way to paint Crocs is to prepare the shoe surface with a light sanding or a plastic primer spray, then apply acrylic paint in thin layers to the shoes. Once the paint has dried, you need to apply a waterproof sealer and allow to dry completely for 24 hours.
Painting Crocs can be a fun afternoon craft for people looking to have fun making something useful. Not only is painting an entertaining activity, but when you paint Crocs, you’re creating something that you can use in every day life.
To preserve your artwork and make sure it doesn’t degrade over time, it’s important to paint Crocs the right way. In this article we’ll provide you all the information and tools you need to paint Crocs right the first time.
What Are Crocs?
Crocs is a shoe company that has a line of comfortable, breathable shoes.
Their bestseller and the shoe they’re most known for is their classic clog, but they have a large variety in shoe styles including sandals, flip-flops, flats, boots, wedges, loafers, sneakers, and more.
You can even find a lined version of their classic clog with fleece on the inside for those cold, winter months. Crocs creates shoes for women, men, and kids, though many of their adult shoes can also be considered unisex.
Although Crocs shoes may seem like they’re just made from a soft, rubbery plastic, they’re made from a material called Croslite. This material is similar to foam rubber.
Some companies that make knock-off Crocs use EVA foam since the make-up of the material is so similar, but it certainly can’t compare to the higher quality of Croslite material in real Crocs.
Because the Croslite material used to make Crocs has a slick, rubbery and plastic surface, it can be hard to get paints to stick without cracking, flaking off, or even washing away in water.
You’ll need to use specific paints and methods to get the paint to stay on the shoe and look nice without any cracks. Let’s dive into those details below.
Best Type Of Paint For Crocs
The best type of paint to use for Crocs is acrylic paint. There are many options within the acrylic paint world, but you should stick to acrylic for best results.
Acrylic Paint
Your first option is to simply use acrylic paint in bottles and apply it with paintbrushes.
If you go this route, make sure you’re applying the paint in a very thin layer. You may have to use more than one layer to get the color saturation you want, but this will ensure best results without any cracking or flaking.
Look for a high-quality set of acrylic paints like the Golden brand we linked above. Low quality paints may not have good pigments or binders in the paint, leading to faded designs or paint that washes off in the rain.
Using acrylic paint with paintbrushes is a good idea for those looking to make a simple design that will cover the whole shoe. You can cover a large surface area fairly quickly this way, but have more control over the small details of the design.
Spray Paint
Another option for acrylic paint is to use spray paint.
Spray paint is the best option for those looking to completely revamp the color of the shoe. You can spray the entire shoe a different color, or you can use spray paints to create an ombre effect or apply a large design, such as stripes.
The thing to be careful of with spray paint is making sure you apply it correctly. Place the Crocs shoes outside on a disposable surface, such as a large piece of cardboard. Wear a breathing mask and goggles while you’re spraying the paint.
Also keep in mind that spray paints can be flammable, so be sure you’re not working near any open flame or heat source.
Paint Markers
Your final option for paints, and the one that allows you the most creative freedom and control over your design, is to use paint markers.
Paint markers are a great way to create complex, intricate designs with lots of small detail. You also tend to have a greater variety in color when using paint markers, so this gives you more freedom in the color palette of your design as well.
Not only do paint markers give you more control and freedom in the artwork, but they’re also the easiest paint to use when painting Crocs.
Crocs have lots of curves, holes, and areas that will be difficult to cover accurately with a spray can or paint brush. Using paint markers is an easy way to apply your paint in every small crevice and curve without issue.
How To Make Painted Crocs Waterproof
Before you slip on your newly painted Crocs as soon as the paint dries, you’ll need to take one extra step and ensure they have a nice coating of waterproof sealant.
You could use a separate varnish to lock in the paint then a waterproofing spray for shoes, but you could also accomplish both by using something like Mod Podge Outdoor Sealer. This step is vital to ensuring longevity for your Crocs.
Although acrylic paint is the most flexible kind of paint and will have a lower chance of cracking or flaking, that doesn’t make it invincible.
Shoes are an item in our daily wardrobe that get the most use. We run, walk, jump, skip, and exercise in our shoes.
It makes sense, then, that you’d need to protect your acrylic paint with a sealant. You wouldn’t paint a canvas with acrylic paint, then rub the canvas in the mud or rain or along a sidewalk.
Using a sealant doesn’t just protect them from general wear and tear, but it should protect them from the rain too.
Acrylic paint is water-based paint. When it comes into contact with water, even after it’s dried, the water will reactivate the paint and bind to it. This could cause the paint to wash off if you’re walking through puddles or a particularly bad rainstorm.
If you choose to use a spray-on acrylic sealant and then add a waterproofing spray, be sure to apply them with ample time in between for the sealant to properly dry.
When spraying the Crocs, you want to spray in bursts in small areas of the shoe, rather than doing large sweeping sprays across the entire shoe. Concentrating your spray will ensure maximum coverage with a smooth finish.
Make sure you’re spraying your sealant in a well-ventilated area, preferably even outdoors. Leave your Crocs to dry in a space with plenty of air circulation and away from any children or pets that may grab or lick the shoes.
After the sealant has properly dried, you can move forward and apply the waterproofing spray. These are generally used on cloth boots that people wear in the winter, but can also be used for this instance.
Spray as you did with the sealant to ensure maximum coverage, then leave to dry completely.
Supplies For Painting Crocs
We’ve mentioned some of the supplies you’ll need throughout this article, but for your ease of shopping, we’ve summed up the list below:
- Crocs
- Acrylic paints (bottle, spray, or markers)
- Paintbrushes (if using paint bottles)
- Sandpaper or plastic primer
- Outdoor waterproof sealant
- Sealant spray and waterproofing spray (if not using outdoor waterproof sealant)
- Cardboard
- Masking tape
- Paper towels
Some of the materials we already discussed, but some on this list may be new. In the section below, we’ll explain how you’ll be using the new materials that we listed.
You can grab all of these materials online, or you can run to your local Walmart or craft store.
If you choose to shop in person rather than online, be sure to purchase genuine Crocs. Many stores sell knock-off Crocs and while these shoes are cheaper, they’re much lower quality.
To ensure best results with our recommended products and methods, it’s best to use a pair of real Crocs shoes.
How To Paint Crocs
At this point you’ve learned all about Crocs shoes, the best type of paint to use, and how to ensure your shoes are waterproof. You also have your list of supplies at the ready, so you know exactly what you need to get started.
Now that you have all the necessary information and materials, it’s time to get started painting your Crocs.
- Prepare your Crocs for paint by using sandpaper or plastic primer. Sandpaper is generally the easier, quicker, and safer option. All you need to do is rub a medium to fine grit sandpaper on the surface of the shoes.
- This takes away the top layer coating and prepares the shoe for paint. You could skip the sanding and just spray the shoes with a plastic primer spray, but keep in mind these are usually flammable, so use with caution.
- Once your Crocs have been prepared to take on the new paint, you can start taping off sections of the shoe. This step is optional and will only apply if you’re painting a design that needs certain parts of the shoe to remain unpainted or to create straight lines, such as stripes.
- If you’re spray painting your shoe and only want to paint the outside, then you’ll need to cover the inside of the shoe with paper towels and tape them in place to prevent paint from leaking into the interior of your shoe.
- Now you can paint! Using your acrylic paint, apply in thin layers to create your design. The key here is to keep those layers of paint light and thin. Thick layers of acrylic paint tend to glob up and won’t dry correctly. It also won’t adhere well to the shoe if applied in thick layers.
- If the color isn’t saturated enough the first time, go back and add another layer. Allow the paint to dry completely before adding the next layer of paint to prevent unwanted bleeding or blending of colors.
- When your shoes are fully painted in the design you want, leave them to dry. This could take a couple hours to dry completely, so be sure to give your shoes the proper time they need to dry.
- After letting the paint dry, you can either apply your outdoor sealant, or your sealant varnish spray. Be sure to apply your sealant in light layers too, making sure to cover every painted part of the shoe. You can even seal the entire shoe to create a more uniform look and preserve your entire shoe.
- If you only use a varnish sealant, wait 24 hours and apply your waterproofing spray. After allowing your waterproofing spray to dry completely (usually another 24 hours), your shoes are ready to wear!
- If you used an outdoor sealant, let it dry for at least 24 hours, then your shoes are ready to wear!
Painting Crocs is a fairly straight-forward process. It has a few steps, but overall can be done over the weekend and be ready to wear on Monday.
If you want to watch someone painting Crocs in action, check out the video below by the Angelus Brand channel on YouTube. They have a line of products you could use when painting your crocs, from a primer to the paints to the final sealant.
Related Questions
Can I Paint Crocs Without Adding A Sealer?
No, you can’t paint Crocs without applying a sealer afterwards. If you just paint them and start wearing them when the paint dries, your hard work will quickly wash away or rub off due to wear.
The sealer is what keeps the paint in place and prevents it from any water or scuffing damage.
Since acrylic paint is water-based, it will bind with water when exposed and wash off. Your newly painted Crocs would be washed away with the first rain.
Always apply a finishing sealer after you paint your Crocs.
Do I Have To Use A Primer To Paint Crocs?
Yes, a primer is a necessary step to painting Crocs.
Crocs have a sleek, plastic surface, so if you try to apply paint directly onto the Crocs without preparing them in some way, the paint will quickly begin to flake off even as soon as it’s dried.
If you don’t want to sand your shoes and you don’t want to use a plastic primer spray, you can try using the Angelus brand Leather Preparer and Deglazer.
Although the product was designed for leather, it works well to deglaze the surface of Crocs and help the Croslite material not be so shiny and slick.
The deglazer will create a textured surface more able to hold acrylic paint. Regardless of which product you use, this step is a must if you want your painted Crocs to last long-term.
Up Next: Best Paint For Stamps
