How to Customize PF Flyers

The technology that made PF Flyers possible was patented in 1933 and stood for "Posture Foundation." The athletic shoes became a popular fashion icon in the 1950s. The shoes are still made today. It is easy to paint designs on PF Flyers. With some acrylic paint and a small brush, you can customize any type of PF Flyers to fit your style.

Things You'll Need

• Acrylic paints
• Small paint brush
• Palette

Instructions

1. Wipe your PF Flyers clean with a damp cloth. Allow to dry completely before painting. Remove the shoelaces.

2. Add different colors of acrylic paint to your plastic palette. Mix colors to get different results. Dip the brush into one of the colors. Paint the desired designs on your PF Flyers. Let the paint dry a few minutes between color changes to prevent wet paint from smearing into other colors.

3. Paint the seams different colors as a contrast to your art. Use stripes on the rubber toe and heel sections to frame your artwork and make it noticeable. Cover most of or the whole shoe with artwork and vibrant colors for best results.

4. Use stencils to get sharp edges on desired shapes or to create multicolor shapes. Use dots and short brush strokes to create tiny designs. Use black or gray as shading to finish your artwork and create a 3-D look. Use more detail to make the designs more appealing.

5. Let the PF Flyers dry for 24 to 48 hours before replacing the shoe laces and wearing them. Spray a waterproof protectant on your shoes to preserve the artwork and make it last longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Use fabric paint markers instead of hand-painting the shoes.

• Paint your shoes in a well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight.

References

• PF Flyers: Heritage
• Behance: Hand Painted Shoes-Various Years
• Rhe In Gold: How to Paint Your Shoes