In this post I’ll be sharing an easy DIY boot upcycle project featuring the fashion IT color of the season: RED.
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One of my favorite recurring fall fashion trends is the dominant use of red – whether as a pop of color in an accessory, or a full head-to-toe monochromatic look. And this fall, it’s going to be absolutely everywhere!
Today, I’m particularly excited to share a super simple DIY/upcycle project that has seriously left me rethinking all of the hidden potentials of leather goods.
After drooling over all the red leather boot outfits popping up on my Pinterest feed lately, I was feeling a little adventurous one night and decided to order the supplies to attempt a DIY leather painting project.
In order to get the perfect shade of deep cherry mocha shade of red that I’ve been lusting over, I knew a custom mixed paint would be my best bet. Thankfully, I found this leather refinish and repair kit that comes with 3 different shades, 2 reds and 1 brown. Ideal for mixing up the perfect RED!
Honestly, this would be a great thrift flip project – imagine boots, handbags, belts… so many leather goods that you can customize and completely transform with paint! But I was super impatient and really wanted to make these asap. So, I turned to a pair of inexpensive faux leather knee-high western style boots that I already owned, and donated them to the experiment, crossing my fingers that the leather paint would adhere. Spoiler alert: it semi-worked!
Let’s dive in…
RED Painted Boot Upcycle / DIY
MATERIALS
- White, beige, or light colored leather boots – the ones I used in this project are faux leather and slightly glossy, but I think a genuine leather, or at least a faux matte leather, would work much better. These exact boots are from Nasty Gal and sold out, but you can find similar ones here.
- Leather paint kit – I used this one in “wine blend”
- Masking or painter’s tape
- Foam brush
- Small craft paintbrush (for details)
HOW TO
Start by cleaning your boots with some warm soapy water to remove any dust or particles that could get trapped underneath the paint.
Next, carefully tape off the edges and soles of the boots. Take your time with this step and be extra precise to avoid having too much cleanup afterward.
To make the painting process easier, you may also want to stuff your boots so that they hold their shape up better. I used bubble wrap but you could use plastic bags, paper, rolled-up towels, or whatever you have on hand.
The best part about this leather repair kit is that it comes with 3 different shades of paint. This is where you can mix up your perfect shade.
I used about a 50/50 blend of “wine” and “autumn red” and then added a few drops of “mahogany” to make it a little darker.
Make sure to thoroughly mix the paint (I like to use takeout chopsticks for this) and start with a small test patch somewhere on the back of the boot. Keep a wet paper towel nearby in case you need to quickly remove the paint.
Keep in mind, that the first layer will always go on pretty sheer, and it also dries a few shades darker.
Once your paint shade is mixed and ready, start painting away! I used a foam brush to begin with, then used the sponge applicator that came with the leather paint kit to blend out any obvious streaks.
Something to note: I think the shiny finish of my boots wasn’t ideal for this project, and the paint did come out a bit blotchy in some spots. But it’s not super noticeable when worn!
In total, I added 3 layers of paint, allowing a full hour of dry time in between coats.
As a final touch, I went in with a small craft brush and made sure all the edges, corners, and crevices were nicely saturated.
Once the final coat is completely dry, remove the tape and clean up any paint that may have transferred to the soles using some rubbing alcohol.
Overall, I love the way they turned out! I think they could use one more coat of paint, but to be honest I was getting impatient and really wanted to style them!
According to the leather paint kit, there is no need for a sealer. But I think I will add a waterproofing sealer just to give them a bit of extra protection.
I’ll have to update this post to see how they hold up over time!
I’m SO ready to start throwing these on any chance I get this fall and holiday season. They are the perfect shade of red: a semi deep cherry wine mocha… just chefs kiss if you as me!
My favorite way to style knee high boots is with a high slit skirt or dress… or with mini skirts! This particular boot has a slightly western shape and is really flattering. Plus, the color almost acts as a neutral and even pairs really well with other shades of red!
Click here to watch the DIY come together in my latest IG reel!
Hope this inspired you to upcycle something in your closet or keep your eyes peeled for some leather goods with potential during your next thrifting session!
If you like this content, check out these posts below:
– How to style white leather boots
– How to style an outfit 101
– 3 ways to wear women’s trousers
Xx Laura
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
