Tarrago Old Gold Trainer Paint 504 – 25ml

Description

Tarrago Old Gold Trainer Paint 504 – a muted metallic gold for vintage-look trainers

Old Gold 504 is not the bright, showroom gold you get from cheap craft paints. Tarrago has deliberately tuned this shade towards a softer, slightly aged metallic tone, closer to the brass fittings on a well-worn leather bag than a fresh coin. It is a 25ml bottle of water-based acrylic paint, built specifically for footwear, giving a warm metallic finish that suits vintage-styled trainers, boots and leather accessories far better than a harsher, brighter gold would.

The paint takes to smooth leather, synthetic uppers, textile and canvas alike, as long as the surface has been cleaned and prepared properly beforehand. A single bottle is usually enough to finish an entire pair of low-top trainers, or to pick out logos, eyelets and trims on a pair you only want to accent rather than fully recolour.

Tarrago has been developing footwear dyes and paints since 1940, and Old Gold sits within their standard metallic Sneakers Paint range rather than a limited run, so if you like the finish you will be able to order another bottle for repairs or touch-ups long after this one runs dry.

I find this particular shade gets picked far more often for restoration work than for bold customisation, because it sits so naturally alongside tan and brown leathers, brass buckles and aged hardware, rather than shouting for attention the way a bright metallic gold would. Trainer customisation has become far more mainstream across the UK in the last few years, and vintage-inspired golds and bronzes are one of the steadier trends within that, rather than a passing fad tied to one season.

Why choose this old gold trainer paint?

• A genuinely muted metallic, not a loud showroom gold. Old Gold 504 reads as warm and slightly antique rather than flashy, which suits leather goods as well as trainers.
• High pigment load for real coverage. Two thin coats change the colour of an upper completely rather than just tinting it, so pale or mid-toned trainers cover cleanly.
• Stays flexible once cured. The paint bends with the upper at the toe box instead of cracking, even with daily wear.
• Works across mixed materials. Leather panels, synthetic overlays, canvas and textile all take the paint evenly on the same shoe.
• Water-based and easy to manage. No solvent smell, and brushes and sponges rinse clean under a tap when you are done.

How to use Tarrago Old Gold Trainer Paint

A metallic shade like this benefits from a slower, more deliberate approach than a flat colour.

1. Clean the uppers thoroughly with a proper trainer cleaner and let them dry completely before starting.
2. Remove the laces and mask off the soles, midsoles and any sections you want to keep unpainted.
3. Shake the bottle well and decant a small amount onto a palette rather than dipping straight into the pot.
4. Apply the first coat thinly with a sponge across wide panels and a fine brush around stitching and eyelets.
5. Allow the first coat to dry fully before adding a second thin coat to deepen the metallic effect.
6. Check the finish in natural daylight before deciding whether a third light coat is needed.
7. Rinse your tools straight away and leave the trainers overnight before wearing them again.

My tip as a shoe specialist

With Old Gold, less is often more. I always suggest resisting the urge to load the brush and go for full coverage in one pass, because that is exactly when metallic paint pools and dries patchy. Two properly thin coats will look far better than one thick one. If you are working over a very dark upper, a thin white base coat underneath keeps the gold looking warm and clear rather than dull. A cool hairdryer setting between coats speeds things up without disturbing the metallic particles as they settle.

Specifications

• Volume: 25ml bottle
• Colour: Old Gold 504, warm muted metallic
• Type: Water-based flexible acrylic paint for trainers
• Suitable for: Smooth leather, synthetic leather, textile and canvas
• Not suitable for: Suede and nubuck
• Application: Brush, sponge or airbrush
• Brand: Tarrago, established 1940

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Gold 504 the same as a bright gold paint?

No, it is a deliberately softer, more antique-looking metallic gold, closer to aged brass than a bright coin finish. If you want a brighter gold, our standard Gold 503 shade is the better match.

Will this gold clash with tan or brown leather?

Quite the opposite. Old Gold tends to sit very naturally alongside tan, brown and cognac leathers, which is why it is such a popular choice for restoring older leather goods rather than only trainers.

Can Old Gold 504 be mixed with other Tarrago shades?

Yes, the Sneakers Paint range is formulated so shades intermix cleanly, letting you warm up or soften other metallics without changing how the paint behaves once applied.

Does Old Gold 504 work on bags and purses as well as trainers?

Yes, the same 25ml bottle works equally well on smooth leather bags, purses and small accessories, provided the surface is cleaned and prepared the same way as you would a trainer upper.

Where can I buy Tarrago Old Gold Trainer Paint in the UK?

You can order Tarrago Old Gold Trainer Paint 504 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.