Tarrago Intense Violet Trainer Paint 457 – 25ml Flexible Paint for Trainers

Description

Tarrago Intense Violet Trainer Paint 457 – 25ml Flexible Paint for Trainers – a violet that bends with the toe crease instead of cracking across it

Trainers are the hardest thing to paint, because the part everybody looks at is the part that never stops moving. The toe box folds every stride, and an ordinary craft paint sitting on top of that fold splits within a fortnight. On a strong violet the split is brutally obvious, since the pale layer underneath shows through as a hairline scar across the front of the shoe.

Tarrago 457 is built for exactly that flex. It is a water-based acrylic made to stay elastic once cured, so the film travels with the leather rather than fighting it, and the pigment load is heavy enough that a strong violet covers a mid-tone base in two thin coats.

It arrives in a 25ml bottle, enough for a full pair with a little left over for touching up the creases later on.

Why choose this intense violet trainer paint?

• It stays flexible where trainers actually bend. The cured film moves with the upper instead of sitting on it as a brittle shell, so the toe crease and the throat line hold their colour rather than cracking open. That single property is what separates a paint made for footwear from a paint made for models.
• Violet covers without going chalky. Purples are notorious for drying dusty and pale when the pigment is thin, and you end up with something closer to lilac than the shade on the label. The pigment load here is high, so two thin coats give you a clean saturated violet with real depth to it.
• It works on leather and on synthetics. Most trainers are a mix of coated leather, synthetic panels and the odd bit of textile, and a paint that only bonds to one of those is no use at all. This one takes to all three, so you can carry a colour straight across a panel join without a visible step.
• Water-based, so clean-up is painless. Brushes rinse out under the tap and a fresh mistake wipes off with a damp cloth before it sets. Anyone who has tried to remove a solvent paint from a midsole with white spirit will understand why that matters.
• You can mix it to get a shade of your own. Because it is a true acrylic it blends happily with the other bottles in the range, so a touch of blue or red pulls the violet cooler or warmer. Mix a little more than you think you need, since matching a custom blend a second time is close to impossible.
• A little goes a very long way. Twenty-five millilitres sounds small until you realise you are painting thin coats rather than pouring it on. One bottle comfortably does a pair with enough spare for the touch-ups that any customised pair eventually needs.

How to use the Tarrago Intense Violet Trainer Paint 457 – 25ml Flexible Paint for Trainers

Painting trainers is nine parts preparation and one part paint. Nearly every failure I see comes from colour going onto a surface that still had its factory finish on it.

1. Unlace the trainers completely and stuff them firmly with paper so the upper holds its shape.
2. Scrub the panels you intend to paint with an acetone-free preparer to strip the factory topcoat.
3. Mask the midsole, the eyelets and any panel you are keeping in its original colour.
4. Brush on your first coat as thinly as you can manage and let it dry for twenty minutes.
5. Build two or three more thin coats, flexing the toe gently between each one so nothing sets rigid.
6. Leave the pair overnight before lacing them, and give the creases a full day before wearing them out.

My tip as a shoe specialist

Flex the toe box between coats. It is the single habit that decides whether a custom pair lasts. If you paint a trainer flat on the table and leave it flat while it cures, the film sets in the shape of a shoe that is not being worn, and the first proper stride puts all of that stress into a film that has never moved. Bend the toe up gently after each coat while the paint is still soft, and the film learns the shape of the crease as it hardens.

Specifications

Bottle and coverage

• Volume: 25ml bottle
• Shade: Intense Violet 457
• Type: Flexible water-based acrylic paint
• Made for: Trainers and customised footwear
• Surfaces: Smooth leather, synthetics and canvas
• Coats needed: Two to three thin coats
• Mixable: Yes, with the rest of the range
• Brand: Tarrago
• Cost: £9.49

Frequently asked questions

How many coats do I need over a dark trainer?

On a black or navy base, expect three thin coats rather than two. A violet has to build its own brightness, and a white basecoat underneath will get you there faster and with less paint than piling violet on violet.

Will it survive the washing machine?

Please do not put a painted pair through a machine. The film is tough and water-resistant once fully cured, but a hot drum with detergent and tumbling is beyond what any flexible paint will take. Wipe them clean by hand instead.

Can I paint over an existing custom job?

Yes, provided the old paint is sound and not flaking. Scuff it lightly with fine abrasive paper so the new coat has something to key into, wipe away the dust, and carry on as normal.

Where can I buy the Tarrago Intense Violet Trainer Paint 457 – 25ml Flexible Paint for Trainers in the UK?

You can order the Tarrago Intense Violet Trainer Paint 457 – 25ml Flexible Paint for Trainers directly from Shoespecialist.co.uk. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, same-day dispatch when you order before 5pm, and a 60-day return policy.