Okay, here’s my blog post about customizing Off-White cleats:
Alright, so I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and I finally got around to customizing my own pair of cleats with that signature Off-White look. It’s not as hard as you might think, but it does take some patience and a steady hand.
Getting Started
First things first, I grabbed a pair of plain white cleats. You can use any brand, just make sure they’re a material you can easily work with. I found that leather or a synthetic leather-like material works best. Think of it as a Blank canvas!
Then, I gathered my supplies. Here’s what I used:
- Masking tape (the blue painter’s tape is perfect)
- An X-Acto knife (or any super sharp crafting knife)
- Acrylic paint (I used black and orange, but you can get creative)
- Thin paintbrushes (a few different sizes are helpful)
- A pencil
- Orange tag(Zip tie)
- Some sealant spray (to protect the paint)
The Process
I started by cleaning the cleats really well. Any dirt or residue will mess up the paint, so I made sure they were spotless. Then, I spent a good chunk of time masking off the areas I didn’t want to paint. This is crucial for getting those clean lines. I used the tape to create stripes and block out the soles.
Once I was happy with the masking, I started painting. Thin coats are key! I applied multiple thin layers of black paint to the areas I wanted, letting each layer dry completely before adding the next. Patience is your best friend here. Rushing it will just lead to a mess.
After the black paint was fully dry (I waited a full day, just to be safe), I carefully removed the masking tape. This is the most satisfying part! Seeing those crisp lines appear is awesome.
Next up, the Off-White details. I lightly sketched out the text I wanted (“SHOELACES”, “LEFT”, “RIGHT”, etc.) with a pencil. Then, using a very fine brush and orange paint, I carefully painted over my pencil lines. Again, thin coats are the way to go.
I also use an orange tag, and put it on the shoes.
Finishing Up
Once all the paint was dry, I sprayed the cleats with a few coats of sealant. This helps protect the paint from scuffs and scratches, especially since I’ll actually be wearing these on the field.
And that’s it! My custom Off-White cleats were done. It took some time and effort, but I’m super happy with how they turned out. It’s a fun project, and a great way to add some personal flair to your gear.
