So, I've been wanting to customize a pair of LeBron's for a while. I'm a huge fan, and I wanted something unique, something that screams me. I decided to go with a classic black and white theme – can't go wrong with that, right?
First, I scored a.meht pair of plain white LeBron 20s. Finding them in my size was a bit of a mission, I tell you! I went to like, three different stores before I finally found them.
The Prep Work
Before I could even think about paint, I had to prep the shoes. This is super important, otherwise the paint won't stick right, and you'll end up with a mess.
- I cleaned the shoes with some rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. Gotta get rid of any factory finish or dirt.
- Then, I used some fine-grit sandpaper to lightly rough up the surface. Just enough to give the paint something to grip onto.
- Finally, I taped off the areas I wanted to stay white. I used painter's tape, the blue stuff, and made sure to really press down the edges.
Painting Time
Okay, this is where the fun begins! I got some Angelus leather paint – black, of course. That stuff is the best for customizing sneakers, everyone uses it.
- I applied the paint in thin, even coats. This is key! Don't go too heavy, or it'll crack and look terrible.
- I did about three coats, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. Patience, young Padawan. Patience.
- I used different sized brushes for different areas. A bigger brush for the larger sections, and a tiny, tiny brush for the details around the edges.
The Finishing Touches
Once the paint was completely dry (I waited a full 24 hours, just to be safe), I applied a matte finisher. This helps protect the paint and gives it a nice, clean look. I also had to remove the tape.
- Very carefully I removed the blue painter's tape from the sneakers.
- I sprayed the finisher, and I use Angelus brand for this as well.
And that's it! My custom black and white LeBron's are done! They look awesome, if I do say so myself. I'm so stoked with how they turned out. It was a bit of work, but totally worth it. Now I have a one-of-a-kind pair of kicks that nobody else has. Rocking these is going to feel great. Next time, I am going to try doing custom colors!
