How to Make Sneakers Blacker

After blacking out a sneaker, always let it dry before wearing it.

After prolonged use the black on sneakers can get faded and dull. The black quite simply is not that black any more. There are a number of ways to restore the black in sneakers. Never use paint as it will crust up and crack when the shoes are worn. Shoe polish and a black felt-tip permanent marker work best. When working with the shoe make sure they are clean first, so the black is not being applied to a dirty shoe.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Abrasive sponge
• Toothbrush
• Black felt-tip permanent magic marker
• Black shoe polish

Instructions

1. Wash the sneaker using an abrasive sponge, and a warm water and dish soap solution. The dish soap should be used sparingly. For finer locations on the sneaker use a toothbrush.

2. Let the sneaker dry.

3. Examine the sneaker and determine what areas need to be blackened.

4. Apply a permanent black felt-tip magic marker to the areas that need to be blacker. Do not be afraid to apply pressure and let the ink sink into the material. Apply two to three coats over the same area.

5. Let the shoe dry.

6. Apply black shoe polish to the sneaker. This will make the black areas a shiny black.

References

• Sneaker Freaker: How to Clean Sneakers
• Sharpie: Sharpie Magnum® Permanent Marker
• Walgreens: Kiwi Black Shoe Polish Black
• "Sneakers: The Complete Collectors' Guide;" Unorthodox Styles; 2005
• "Sneaker Freaker;" Simon Wood; 2005