Crocs are of good quality footwear for both men and women. They are comfortable, breathable, waterproof, and may have some therapeutic benefits.
You could say they’re the perfect shoes. But even the bright colors of Crocs can fade over time, and anyone who uses them would like to know if you can brighten them up with a bit of dye.
Unfortunately, Crocs can’t be dyed. Their proprietary material, Crosite, cannot absorb liquids, including dyes. If you want to modify the color of your Crocs, dip them in colored resin.
Just in time for summer, the Tie-Dye Collection is a fashionable take on the Iconic Crocs. In vibrant color combos, these shoes are a must-have for the season. Many people who previously did not own Tie-dye Crocs are now looking to DIY the Tie-dye version of their Iconic Crocs. If you’re one of those folks, let’s see how you can take your Crocs from dull to dazzling!
Why Should You Dye Crocs?
Make Your Crocs Look New Again
It’s hard to resist the urge to brighten up your favorite shoes when they start to look worn out and dull. Luckily, it doesn’t take much cash or time to dye Crocs, and the result is a pair of fun, vibrant shoes that can be worn again and again.
Have A Customized Pair Of Crocs
Crocs purchasers have many different ways of personalizing their shoes. Some add Jibbitz, others add sequins, and some dye their shoes as soon as they receive them.
Here is an image of the Red Starlight Crocs, below, and there are so many other ideas.
Here is an image of the Bride’s Crocs!
To Be Cost-Effective and Environmentally Sustainable
Have an old pair of Crocs that you aren’t wearing anymore? Please give them a new life by dying them! You will save money, prevent more waste from ending up in landfills, and make your old pair look new!
What Are the Most Common Ways to Dye Shoes?
There are many ways to dye shoes. The most common method is to use fabric dye, which works for canvas shoes or other types of footwear, but it won’t work on Crocs.
Dye does not adhere well to Crocs since the material that the shoes are made of is essentially a closed-resin foam that does not readily accept dyes. If you don’t want to dye your Crocs, you can spray them with paint.
Although spray paint can help customize your Crocs and make them look more unique, it may not be the best choice if you want to maintain the shoes’ appearance over time.
For an affordable, durable finish, hydro-dipping is the best method to employ.
Hydro-dipping is an art form which uses water to apply paint or dye to objects, giving them different colors, patterns, and designs. When you hydro-dip your Crocs, it is like giving the shoe a new personality because no two hydro-dip “paintings” are identical.
With hydro-dripping, you can keep your Crocs vibrant all year long. This process will require some preparation, but if you are a beginner, you may want to try it on something else before you test it on your Crocs!
If you crave to customize everything in your life, you can get a hydro-dipping kit from Amazon! The kits are inexpensive, and you can use them on more than just Crocs. You can also buy stencils to make your designs even cooler!
In this video, a variety of shoes are dipped in water to demonstrate the effects of hydro-dipping.
Watch as this person hydro-dips their Crocs for the first time, and it works out well.
Preparing Your Crocs
Preparing your Crocs for hydro-dipping can make all the difference in how your finished product turns out. It’s essential to start with a clean canvas, so give your shoes a good scrub with soap and water or use a magic eraser to remove stains. If you use the magic eraser, rewash the shoes with soap and water.
If you intend to use acrylic paint for the hydro-dipping process, you should wipe your Crocs properly with acetone (nail polish remover) to get rid of any stubborn stains. Once they look good as new, set them aside to dry completely before moving on to step two.
Then, you can cover any area of the shoe you do not want “dyed” by taping off all those areas. Some people leave the soles unpainted, while others cover up the heels. Any masking tape will suffice.
Which Colors of Crocs Are Dyable?
You could dye any color of Crocs, but if you’re new to hydro-dripping, using a pair of white Crocs is the perfect way to get started. Here are a few reasons why:
- You’ll enjoy better results than you expected.
- Have you ever tried to dye non-white Crocs only to end up with an off-colored mess? If yes, try white Crocs instead.
- Your Crocs will light up the room when you walk in, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
- The white foam provides a neutral background. Whatever your chosen design is, a white backdrop lets it shine.
- Hydro-dipping is an art that requires practice and patience. However, using white-colored Crocs for this process makes the process simpler, less stressful, and more convenient for beginners.
- You can hydro-dip your Crocs within 30 minutes!
Prepping the Paint
After cleaning the shoes and taping the areas you don’t want “dyed,” get out of the boat and prep the paint!
Before you do anything else, find a bin. Make sure it’s big enough to hold your Crocs. Then, fill it with lukewarm water. But don’t fill the container—leave some room on top so that you can fully submerge your Crocs in the water.
Next, use a generous amount of spray paint to coat the water. While you may be tempted to use an economy brand of spray paint, stick with a traditional latex or acrylic product for a more professional finish.
If paint fumes bother you, wear a respirator, dust mask, and other protective gear. Instead of painting your shoes with a single color, try applying multiple paints to achieve a unique pattern.
How Much Paint do You Need to Use?
The trick here is to spray your paint into the entire surface of the water for a minimum of 30 seconds. But sometimes this won’t work. You can do it for a minute or two. It depends. It is vital to apply more paint.
Hydro-Dipping Your Crocs
Hydro-dipping your Crocs is exciting and rewarding, but you’ll need to follow these steps.
- Put on gloves, then submerge one Crocs clog in the water. If you don’t have gloves, use other safety gear.
- Repeat the process with your other shoe. It will likely take you a little longer than the first shoe, but the result will be worth it.
- Let your Crocs air-dry thoroughly but don’t leave them out for more than 24 hours.
- To protect the paint on your Crocs, it’s best to use a clear acrylic spray, which can also prevent chipping. The spray is relatively inexpensive and is available in most supermarkets.
Don’t Dispose. Upcycle!
We should all consider upcyling things that we would otherwise throw away, including Crocs, and this particular DIY process begins with a bit of cleaning and some hydro-dipping.
This fun project shouldn’t cost you much (or anything at all, if you already have the supplies), and you’ll be on your way to having a fabulous pair of shoes to wear whenever you want.