I've done a couple over the years.
Posca paint pens are what you're after.

*here are my cross shoes

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

I've cut straps, added pads to tongues, added spacers/shims under cleats, put stuffing into cleat bolt holes to stop nuts rattling, added orthotics and insoles, and used non-stock cleat bolts washers.


Not all on the same pair, but that's some customization. Oh, and back in the days stretched some leather uppers for it.

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http://www.jt10000.com/

Sharpie and paint pens work fine:

I don't have advice for customizing. Just a compliment. Those look really great! Nice work. Very cool!!

Those look awesome! What paint pens did you use? Which part of that is paint pen and which is sharpie?

Very nice touch. Do these paint pens dry instantly? If a mistake is made do they wipe off?

they dry quick, but you've got a little time to get it off if you make a mistake.

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

Chris,

Would you suggest these for somebody trying to change the entire color of their shoes? I would love to switch my Empires over to a solid color that matches at least one other thing instead of the bright orange that I no longer like.

I did these with the same markers. Then sealed the paint with some gloss clearcoat from the art store. They've held up pretty well (~6mo) a little coming off where the laces have dug in, but nothing severe.

The last pair I painted I used leather paint (also in the art/craft store) and it seems like it's a bit more robust. (a bit more time/work than the pens though) Sealed the same way.

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

That's super helpful, thank you. I looked at the leather paint too. What did you do for prep?

well on those shoes a fair bit, but that was more because I was removing straps and adding eyelets for laces. As far as the painting itself nothing overly special, clean up any scuffs (very fine sandpaper just to smooth it, if it's a gap/chunk - common for me because I usually buy "damaged" shoes on ebay - you can use shoe goo to fill it sort of like bondo) but mainly just give them a good cleaning before painting and mask off anything you don't want to paint.

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

So just the normal stuff for painting. Got it!

Those look fantastic! I might do that to my Bont Classics to completely white them out.

Second, I'm about to pull the trigger on getting rid of some red accents on my speed concept frame... I was originally going to plasti dip the logos/accents, but do you think a paint pen would actually be the better tool for the job? It seems easier, less time consuming, and easier to control... But I don't want it to look like garbage when I get done.

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

thanks!

I don't think paint pens will have any hold on the frame if it still has the factory finish on it. My guess is that they'll just off.

Definitely ways it can be done with paint, (or plastidip, but it may be tough to pull of JUST accents/logos) but my suggestion is just to go to a graphics shop and have decals cut with adhesive backs. Should be pretty cheap/easy for them.

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

Love this thread! I also have red accents (cycling shoes) I'd like to cover.

I painted over the top of my Catlike helmet with acrylic paint. It now matches my club kit (blue) instead of red. But the race helmet stickers have pulled a little of my paint off on removal.

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.