Alright, so you wanna know about my fruity pebbles Lebron 11s project? Buckle up, it was a ride!
The Idea Spark
It all started with my obsession with both Lebron 11s (the GOAT shoe, in my humble opinion) and fruity pebbles cereal. One day, I was chowing down on a bowl and thought, “Damn, these colors would look sick on a shoe!” The rest, as they say, is history…or at least a very messy, colorful history.
Sourcing the Shoes
First things first, I needed a pair of Lebron 11s to customize. Finding a pair in good condition that I was willing to mess with was tougher than I thought. I scoured eBay, sneaker groups, and even tried some local consignment shops. Finally, after weeks of searching, I snagged a pair of all-white Lebron 11s for a decent price. They were a little beat up, but that just meant I wouldn’t feel too bad about painting all over them, right?
Gathering the Supplies
- Angelus Leather Paint: This stuff is the holy grail for shoe customizers. I grabbed a bunch of colors that matched the fruity pebbles – reds, yellows, oranges, purples, blues, the whole shebang.
- Angelus 2-Soft: To make sure the paint didn’t crack when I wore the shoes.
- Angelus Acrylic Finisher: To seal everything in and give it a nice, protective finish.
- Masking Tape: LOTS of masking tape. Precision is key, people!
- Paint Brushes: Various sizes for different details.
- Acetone: To prep the shoe by removing the factory finish.
- Cotton Balls: For applying the acetone.
- Patience: Seriously, you need a ton of this.
The Process: Let the Chaos Begin!
Prep Work:
Alright, time to get my hands dirty.
- Cleaning: I wiped down the entire shoe with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or grime.
- Acetone: Next, I used acetone and cotton balls to strip the factory finish off the leather. This helps the paint adhere properly. Be careful with this stuff, it’s strong!
- Taping: I carefully taped off any areas I didn’t want to paint, like the sole and the swoosh. This part took forever.
Painting: This is where the real fun (and frustration) began.
- Base Coat: I started with a white base coat to make the colors pop. I applied several thin layers, letting each layer dry completely before applying the next.
- Fruity Pebbles Pattern: This was the trickiest part. I used a combination of small brushes and sponges to create a random, colorful pattern that resembled fruity pebbles. I tried to avoid making it look too uniform, because real fruity pebbles are all different shapes and sizes.
- Details: I added some extra details, like outlining some of the “pebbles” with a slightly darker shade to give them more definition.
- Patience (Again!): Drying time was crucial. I let each layer dry for at least 24 hours before moving on to the next.
Finishing Touches:
- 2-Soft: I mixed Angelus 2-Soft with my paints to ensure they wouldn’t crack when the shoe flexed.
- Acrylic Finisher: Once the paint was completely dry, I applied several coats of Angelus Acrylic Finisher to seal everything in and protect the paint from scratches and wear.
- Untaping: Peeling off the masking tape was SO satisfying. It’s like revealing a masterpiece (or at least a really cool pair of shoes).
The Final Result
After what felt like an eternity, my fruity pebbles Lebron 11s were finally finished! They were definitely a statement piece. Bright, colorful, and totally unique. I wore them out a few times, and they always got a ton of attention. People either loved them or hated them, but nobody could deny that they were eye-catching.
Lessons Learned
- Patience is key: Customizing shoes takes time and effort. Don’t rush the process.
- Quality materials matter: Using good quality paint and finishers will make a huge difference in the longevity of your custom.
- Practice makes perfect: Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques.
- Have fun!: It’s just a pair of shoes, after all. Don’t take it too seriously.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but the end result was definitely worth it. Plus, I learned a lot about shoe customization along the way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go brainstorm my next shoe project…maybe Lucky Charms Lebron 12s?
