If you have a solid-colored pair of Crocs, you can decorate them with many fun designs. Hydro dipping, or hydro imaging, allows you to apply paint to items using water transfer. It creates unique designs and works on plenty of different surfaces.
So, can you hydro dip Crocs? Yes! Hydro dipping your Crocs is one of the best ways to customize your shoes. You need a large bucket or plastic bin and a few different colors of acrylic paints. The project doesn’t take long to complete!
Making your own custom shoes is a great way to express yourself. Since Crocs consist of resin and rubber foam, hydro dipping allows the paint to stick to the surface well. There’s a lot to learn about trying this project for yourself, so let’s keep reading!
How to Hydro Dip Crocs
White Crocs are the easiest to hydro dip, and the colors show up the best on them. However, you can use any solid-colored pair of Crocs and still get good results. You’ll also want to use new Crocs that you haven’t worn yet- old ones won’t turn out very well.
Next, tape off any sections of the shoe you don’t want to dye with masking tape. You can create unique designs by leaving some areas of the Crocs blank. Leaving the soles or heels blank is a popular choice. Many people also put tape over the buttons on the strap before dipping the shoes.
Check out these White Crocs here!
Clean the shoes with a damp paper towel or baby wipe to remove debris. Let the Crocs dry, then move on to prepare the paints! To do this, first, fill a large container with warm water outside. You need it to be deep enough to submerge the Crocs.
Make sure you don’t fill it up the entire way, so you can put the shoes in it without it overflowing. Then, apply acrylic (or latex) spray paint over the water’s surface. You can use one or multiple spray paint colors to make something unique! Don’t try to spray the paint directly over the water. You’ll get better results if you slightly tilt the can at a 45-degree angle.
Finally, put on gloves and slowly submerge one Croc in the water. You want the sole to face upwards when you do this. Keep the show underwater for about 10 seconds, then pull it up. It’ll have a unique and colorful pattern on it! Reapply the paint to the water and do the same to the second shoe.
Does Hydro Dip Wash Off?
Hydro dipping your Crocs does last for a long time, but you’ll want to seal them with a clear waterproof sealant. Doing so provides the color with more protection, so it doesn’t come off if the Crocs get wet.
Since you’ll probably wear your hydro-dipped crocs outside, you want to add a seal. Otherwise, they could make a lot of contact with water unprotected. If that happens, the paint is sure to wash off.
I highly recommend using the Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge to seal your crocs. This formula is specifically designed to repel water, so it’ll work great on your hydro dipped crocs!
Ensure the freshly dipped Crocs dry for at least 24 hours before applying the seal. It’s best to use a spray-on seal to get an even layer across the entire shoe. Allow the seal to dry for about four or five hours before you wear the Crocs for the first time.
Overall, hydro dip can fade, chip, or wash off without a proper seal, especially if you wear the Crocs often.
Is Hydro Dip Waterproof?
It depends on the spray paint you use during the hydro dipping. Acrylic spray paint isn’t very waterproof, so you’ll want to add a reliable seal to the shoe to prevent the design from coming off.
Latex spray paints are much more water-resistant than acrylic. This kind of paint has a rubber-like finish, which shouldn’t wash off. However, applying a clear sealant to the Crocs doesn’t hurt. That way, you know for sure they can resist bad weather.
Most hydro dip projects won’t be waterproof, even if they can slightly resist water. It’s always best to seal your work with a strong waterproof sealant to protect your work.
So, even if the hydro dip itself isn’t waterproof, you can easily make it that way by adding a strong seal to the Crocs. It doesn’t take long, so make sure you don’t skip this step!
Do You Need To Seal Painted Crocs?
While you don’t need to seal your Crocs, they won’t last as long without a seal. The sun and elements can cause the hydro dip to fade with time. This process happens faster if there’s no seal in place to protect the color.
Krylon Acrylic Sealer is also another great brand to seal your crocs with. It’s offers UV protection, as well as fading and chipping.
Sealing the hydro dipped Crocs comes with several benefits. For example, they improve UV resistance, reduce chipping and peeling, and ensure the paint won’t wash away. If you don’t plan on wearing the Crocs, you can get away without sealing them.
However, after putting in all the work to make them, you’ll want to wear them without worry! That’s why I always recommend that you seal your art after hydro dipping. If you do it properly, it should last for years to come.
Overall, it’s a good idea to seal your Crocs after painting them.
Best Paints for Hydro Dip Crocs
The best paints for hydro dipping your Crocs include latex and acrylic spray paints. These products float on the water’s surface, allowing you to push the shoes through them.
Many artists recommend that you try Rust-Oleum, Krylon COLORmaxx, and Marabu spray paints for these projects. You can also find these brands in several different bright colors that you can use to make stunning designs on your Crocs.
Additionally, you can hydro dip your Crocs using liquid acrylic paints. The paint should also float on the surface of the water. You can also make many different designs using liquid acrylic, including marbling.
However, many people prefer to use spray paints on their Crocs. The spray paint is usually easier to use and still creates plenty of stunning designs.
Is Hydro Dipping Toxic?
Many spray paints that you might use for hydro dipping can contain toxic chemicals to breathe in. As long as you take this project outside or wear a mask, you shouldn’t have to worry.
You’ll want to wear long, thick rubber gloves during the dipping process. Otherwise, you’re sure to stain your hands with paint! The gloves will also protect you from any chemicals contacting your skin.
After the paint dries, it should no longer emit toxic fumes, making them safe to wear.
In short, there’s the potential for hydro dipping to be toxic. However, as long as you take all of these precautions, you won’t have anything to worry about.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, you can easily hydro dip a new pair of Crocs! You’ll want to use spray paint to dye the shoes. Plus, if you use an acrylic sealant, the spray paint should last a long time without chipping, fading, or peeling.
You can use hydro dipping to create various beautiful designs on your shoes. Crocs are the perfect choice for this project because of their material- they hold the paint extremely well. If you haven’t tried hydro dipping yet, give this project a try. It’s a lot of fun!
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your hydro dip project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!