Do I need to acetone my shoes if I want to use water based paint on my shoes?

Question: Do I need to acetone my shoes if I want to use water based paint on my shoes!?

I'm painting my air forces a water based paint (glow in the dark)!. If i have white air forces, do i need to acetone them down so the paint doesn't crank or is it alright to paint em straight away without acetoning them!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Acetone (finger nail polish remover) is a very strong solvent!. It will strip most anything and dissolve most paints used today!. I used it a lot in refinishing furniture!. Read the directions carefully!. Some shoes have plastic and acetone will melt (dissolve) them!. Use outdoors with plenty of ventilation!. Do not smoke or use near a flame!. Acetone will dry out leather by removing the oils!. It will promote the cracking of leather!.

Be careful and good luck!
Jeff (weseye) WesleyWww@QuestionHome@Com

The instructions that come with shoe dyes suggest different solvents!.Some suggest Acetone,while others suggest Methylated spirits,it all depends on the type of leather,plastic or glaze that has been used on the shoes and if they have been polished with a wax,or spray on polish!.Unfortunately the only way is to proceed by trial and error on an inconspicuous area first!.The solvent will lift some of the colour off the shoes and in some cases lead to darkening and patchiness!.Www@QuestionHome@Com