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9.17.2013

Painting Your Hunter Boots a New Color: DIY

A few years ago, I snagged a pair of light gold Hunter rain boots for half the price. I liked them back then even if I would have chosen a darker color, but lately I was really tired of them. I tried to find a tutorial for changing their color without success. I finally decided I would take the risk to paint them anyways, since they usually stay in my closet. The worse that could happend would be for them to remain in my closet. What really convinced me is when I noticed the gold color was coming off in some spots. I thought... well, they're already painted anyways so why not repaint them.

I went to my local craft store and bought a can of spray paint (Plutonium brand) that works on rubber (the lady in the store didn't even know about that, but since I'm an avid online shopper I already knew exactly which paint I was coming to buy). The color I chose is "Stealth". I wasn't even sure if it was more of an army green or a brownish charcoal but I didn't really care. I just wanted my boots to be dark, but not black.

Here is what you will need:


A can of spray paint for rubber surfaces, painter's tape, scissors, newspaper (or anything to cover the ground), a wet rag or paper towels. And, of course, a pair of rubber boots.


First, clean your boots to remove any excess dust or soil. Believe me, even if they look clean, they most definitely are not.


While you let your boots dry, cover the ground with newspaper. 


Then, cover the "hunter" logo (or anything you want to leave the same color) with painter's tape. I actually had to cut my tape several times before I got the right size.


If you have any buckles or ornaments that you want to paint, unbuckle them so you can reach under.


Then, spray a little paint on the newspaper for a test. This is just to make sure that the can sprays well and won't leak on the boots. Make sure you don't hold your can closer to your boot or the newpaper than 5-6 inches.



You can start spraying your boot in a linear motion.


Here is the result after one boot. Not too bad, eh?


When finished, let your boots dry for at least 15 minutes after you make sure you haven't forgotten any spots. When the boot is dry, you can lay it on the side so you can spray the sole, and wait until it dries again. (I painted the whole boot at once and had pieces of newspaper stick to my sole. My can't-wait-for-my-nail-polish-to-dry disease is expanding!)
Here is the result:


And then, remove the tape off the logo:


Tadaaa!!! (Sorry if the last photo is blurry, it was getting dark!)


I am REALLY happy with the result. I will wear them next time it rains and keep you posted about the durability of the paint! The color is perfect and not too matte, not too shiny!

**Update** The paint does crack a little bit where the boot folds. It's still minimal and I spray some more every once in a while. I still prefer them dark but if you want them to be perfect, you shouldn't paint them.

25 comments:

  1. Je les aimais bien en doré, mais le résultat est impressionnant en noir! Bravo, crafty Sara!

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  2. Merci! C'est un genre de kaki, pas noir ;)

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  3. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I'm impressed!
    Extremely helpful information specifically the last part :) I care for such information much.
    I was seeking this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and best of
    luck.

    Also visit my page :: Dragon Vale Action Replay Codes

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm glad this info is useful to you. I was myself looking for a DIY tutorial to paint my boots for a while, and ended up doing without!

      Best of luck to you too :)
      Sara

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  4. I'm impressed the paint sticks to the rubber. Last time I tried to spray paint something rubber, it all flaked off in a short while. What kind of paint are you using?

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    Replies
    1. Like I said in the **update** section at the end of the post, it does crack a little bit around the ankle where the boot folds. It doesn't flake completely as the paint still stays on the boot, but you can notice minor cracks. The paint I use it the one you can see in the pictures (plutonium brand). I chose this brand because it said it could be used on rubber.

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  5. This is great! I bought a pair of leopard print rain boots a few years ago thinking that leopard print is classic and will never go out of style, but it isn't working for me anymore. I've been looking for about 2 years for a pair of black boots to replace them and can't find anything that fits as well as mine do. I'm looking forward to trying this project out. They are not Hunter boots, but they are rubber so I should be fine. One question: How many cans of paint did you use?

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  6. This is a great blog post, thank you very much for that :)

    I have tried it myself and got really nice results...

    I know that MyDesign are offering a kit which makes life more simple for that cause.
    Have anyone tried it out by any chance?
    ilovemydesign.com is their website...

    Let me know! :)

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  7. Can you please post a picture of the cracking boots? I'd like to see how severe the cracking is before I try the the project. I am in LOVE with the color you ended up choosing, so i am really excited.

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  8. Restore & stop cracking of rubber boots
    https://www.plastidip.net.au/plasti-dip-uses

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    Replies
    1. Armor All Custom Shield is also made by the same company as Plasti Dip. Available in many hardware stores.

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    2. hi twocs!!! what does the custom shield do? could i spray a deign onto wellington boots and it would stay there through ran and the bending of the rubber??

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  9. Hi! I just used a basic, rustolem brand to pain my ugly, at-home use only, dull gray boots...they look great, but don't appear interested in drying. I sprayed them on Tuesday, it is now Thursday and they are still "tacky" to the touch.

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    Replies
    1. I should've added, I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions any of you gurus might have to give.... :0)

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    2. Oh no! I'm sorry, I don't know enough about paint to help you. Have you tried blow-drying them?
      Is the paint meant for rubber?

      Thanks,

      Sara

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    3. Well, I'm not sure the word "rubber" appeared anywhere on the label, but the paint did say it was for plastics (isn't rubber a form of plastic? lol?). I'll try the blowdryer, but there is no a bit of debris cover several areas of the boots (dirt, grass), as I placed them in direct sunshine and the breeze must've gotten to them! Assuming they ever dry, do you think I can sand off the mess and re-apply (YOUR suggested brand this time, of course)?

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  10. I have not idea, but you might want to give it a try! I'm no rubber boot expert haha :)

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  11. Is the paint waterproof? Have you tested the boots out in the rain? :)

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  12. It seems like such an easy project once we find the right supplies.

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  13. I don't mean to sound mysterious. My name is Annee and I really, really want to paint my ugly black garden boots!

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  14. So glad I found this. I have those exact pair of hunters and they look so dull now. Will definitely be following this to spruce them up.

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  15. It’s nice sharing! Where are the store to buy the boots for women?The store www.27880.com is the shoes shop online.


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  16. How did these fare in the long Run?

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  17. I reserched and used PlastiDip which is a rubber based paint (The idea being, it can flex without chipping) Well it can flex, but it didnt adhere to the rubber well. I since spilled some latex paint on my boot and it stuck! I'm thinking a latex paint (which can bend, unlike acryllic spray paint) Brushed or airbrushed on is the best bet. Perhaps with a light sanding first to give the surface some 'tooth' to stick to will help.

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  18. I spray painted a pair of rubber boots silver, and 2 days later they are still tacky...? I've kept them warm, dry, and inside... I'm super bummed because I need them for family photos in a couple of days... I used "Krylon Rust Tough Enamel" silver spray paint...
    ANY SUGGESTIONS!? Thanks everyone!

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Your comments make my day ;)