I want to start hand-painting children's rainboots. I need a very durable, waterproof (obviously) paint?

Question

Permanent
Waterproof
Scratchproof
child-friendly (non-toxic??)

I am thinking that Sharpie paint pens might work? Does anyone know why they might not? Again, I would need the paint/marker to NOT scratch off over time or fade, etc...help! Thanks :)

Answer 1

Anything that will stick to vinyl probably won't be non-toxic. Sharpie pens are NOT non-toxic - they are solvent-based, and I would not let my kids use them ever. But if it's you using them, certainly you wouldn't expect a kid to put the boot in their mouth? Who knows...

Any way, I would do lots of experimenting first. Even Sharpies will scratch off a shiny surface over time. And I'm not convinced the solvent wouldn't react with the vinyl.

I would try Tremclad rust paint and see how it reacts. It's about the only paint I know of that is durable enough for your needs.

Answer 2

Sharpie pens DO fade over time, sorry. light turns them to an ugly light brown eventually. There really aren't alot of options as far as paint that will stick and stay on children's boots, if they are actually to be worn out in the weather. If they were just decorative, it would be no problem, but for something to hold up to wet, dirt, and childrens activities you might be out of luck, unless you have some kind of commercial printing thing. Krylon makes a spray paint for plastic that I believe will hold up outdoors, but you probably want something that you can do detail with. As a painter for about 17 years, there is nothing that I can safely recommend for this kind of use that I can guarantee willl last.

Answer 3

Try using regular (llike the tulip brand), fabric paint. It sticks to anything (basically the formula is similar to elmer's glue), and it's non-toxic, and obviously wash/water proof. When I was a kid we used to decorate everything with it, puff-paint 80's style (it WAS the 80's). Including shoes, it even worked on those jelly kind. If you use a paint brush and very thin strokes, I mean apply it in very thin amounts, it won't have that puffy look, and will almost become a part of whatever you apply it to. It is permanent, and very durable. There are many new varieties and brands, but tulip is still around, like 78 cents a bottle at walmart. Joann's Michaels and Hobby-Lobby have amazing types of fabric paint options, and I'm sure if you went and asked them, they could show you ideas I wouldn't even think of.

Answer 4

Hi Sharon C,

I'd tried expoxy with color added to it.
try any paint store once this dries it will also be durable.
Have a good day!

Answer 5

wow,i don't know.but what a precious idea! goodluck!