How to Dye Trainers
Supplies Needed
- DyeMore for Synthetics
- Acetone
- Cotton Pad
- Vinyl Tape
- Craft Knife
- Stainless Steel Pot
- Large Containers
- Plastic Gloves
- Metal Tongs
Important Notes
Trainers
For best results, we recommend using DyeMore for Synthetics. Taping soles with waterproof electrical tape helps to resist dye.
Colour
If the shoes you are dyeing are white or off white, then you should be able to achieve true colour. Keep in mind that different materials used on sneakers might cause variation in colour.
Patterns and Logos
If the shoes you are dyeing have a pattern or logo, the colour you use will mix with the existing colour(s) in the fabric and create new colours. In other words, the rules of colour mixing apply. When selecting a colour, think about how it will mix with the colours in the pattern. For example, if you were to use a blue dye on a white pair of shoes with a pink flower pattern, the pink flowers will turn purplish (blue and pink make purple) while the rest of the shoes will dye blue. Even if you were to overdye the patterned shoes with a dark colour, you may find that the color will appear lighter along the patterned area.
Select your Method
For solid dye projects, chose the immersion method below.
To use two colours, choose the dip dye method below.
Immersion
Instructions
- Clean shoes with acetone and a cotton pad. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Remove laces and set aside.
- To create your dyebath, fill a stainless steel pot with 3 gallons of hot water. Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or 180 F°).
- Wearing protective gloves, carefully add hot water from the stove top into a container for dyeing or stainless steel sink.
- Wearing gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken DyeMore for Synthetics and mix well with tongs. We used the Golden Yellow DyeMore for Synthetics formula which calls for Daffodil Yellow and Apricot Orange.
- Carefully add sneakers into dyebath and keep submerged for 5-10 minutes or until desired colour is achieved. Sneakers will float to the top so make sure to keep it submerged with tongs for the duration of the dyeing process. (Optional: You can also toss your laces into the dyebath).
- When desired colour is achieved, remove sneakers from the dyebath.
- Rinse in warm water and then gradually cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Allow sneakers to air dry.
Dip Dye
Instructions
- Clean shoes with acetone and a cotton pad. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Remove laces and set aside.
- Using vinyl tape and an x-acto knife, tape off sections of the sneaker that you’d like to keep white.
- To create your dyebath, fill a stainless steel pot with 3 gallons of hot water. Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or 180 F°).
- Wearing protective gloves, carefully add hot water from the stove top into two separate containers for dip dyeing.
- Wearing gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken DyeMore for Synthetics in Sapphire Blue and mix well with tongs.
- In the second dyebath, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken DyeMore for Synthetics in Royal Purple.
- Carefully add half the sneakers into the Royal Blue dyebath and keep submerged for 5-10 minutes or until desired colour is achieved. Sneakers will float to the top so make sure to keep it submerged with tongs for the duration of the dyeing process. (Optional: You can also toss your laces into the dyebath).
- When desired color is achieved, remove sneakers from the dyebath.
- Give it a quick rinse in warm water.
- Add the other half of the sneakers into the Royal Purple dyebath and keep submerged for 5-10 minutes or until desired colour is achieved.
- Rinse in warm water and then gradually cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Allow sneakers to air dry.