I recommend doing this with older shoes that might be on their way out. I’ve always loved waxed jackets like Barbour and that’s what inspired this. This will darken the color of the shoe.
87 thoughts on “Waterproof Your Canvas Shoes”
lol they look fucked up afterwards… id rather just get a waterproof spray..
and beeswax isnt that flammable… although if you did hold a lighter to em or try and say, stomp out a fire or something, you might end up with a pretty seirous problem
The wax is being burned in a candle. As the wax melts it gets sucked up through the wick by capillary action to the flame, where it gets oxidized like crazy (burned). Wax is most certainly flammable!
The wax burns, but not hot enough to support the chemical reaction – that’s why you need the wick.
To be flammable, a material has to release more energy when it oxidizes (aka burns) than is required to trigger the oxidation. Common household wax does not.
Try lighting a puddle of wax on fire. It will melt, and if you keep the flame on it it will eventually burn up, but if you remove the flame it won’t continue to burn.
Grease is flammable. Try making a candle out of Crisco or lard and watch what happens. Don’t do it indoors though, you could burn your house down.
The fact that it melts and burns but is not flammable is the reason wax is useful for candles. It actually made those shoes less flammable (though not fireproof, obviously) – try lighting an un-waxed pair of shoes (or, you know, just a piece of cloth or something) with a lighter, and then a waxed pair. I guarantee the waxed pair will be harder to light and will burn much, much slower than the unwaxed pair.
Don’t you think that we should always avoid burning things falling on our clothing?
Bonus points: use a spray bottle to (mostly) evenly mist untreated leather, then repeat as above for an oiled patina. It looks great on my work boots. I like a medium weight cotton/rayon polyblend for foot sweat, but climates and feet tend to vary.
I saw this on Pinterest and I’m just commenting because this looks like my dog, too! She was a rescue in NW Florida. We aren’t sure what she is, either but definitely has some terrier, maybe some American Fox Hound, too? Now, I’m going to look up the Australian Cattle dog to see what it looks like.
I’ve been thinking about doing this with Otter Wax for a while now. Being that I’ve exclusively worn old schools since 2002 only changing for a running show, I feel I should commit.
The shoes turned out cool. I like’em alot and I will try it on my shoes. Thanks for sharing. I noticed that your last response was on the 18th. It won’t be the 18th for ten more minutes here in(N.C). Where are you?
Making it waterproof is like making the shoes be nonwashable. So I think it’s better if you’ll have the shoes to be cleaned first (dry clean or whatever nicer method) so it will look great, brand new and waterproof afterwards.
Awesome tip! So many VANS to save now Do you happen to know if this will work on TOMS? I know it’s canvas, but it wasn’t specifically in the article, just curious! Also, I’m a smoker, how flammable is beeswax?! Thanks!
I bet it would work on Toms, but I can’t say for sure cuz I don’t own any. The flammable concern has been quite the issue of debate in the comments. I honestly don’t think your shoes are going to burst into flames if an ember lands on them. Will they burn? Sure, but most shoes would. Thanks!
Beeswax burns, but is not flammable (as in, it won’t continue to burn once the heat source is removed).
That’s what makes it useful for candles. If it were flammable, the whole puddle of melted wax would be on fire, and then the whole candle, and then you’d have a fireball you wouldn’t believe. That’s actually exactly how grease works. Never make a candle out of lard.
So wax actually makes the shoes a little less flammable, not more.
I just tried this with my new pair of orange canvas Toms!
It worked really well and I used white/clear wax (not natural beeswax) which ended up not darkening the shoes significantly. The water beaded so nicely. Just took awhile to carefully get around the seams to ensure good coverage.
I went to Michael’s and picked up a block of wax. I don’t think it was specifically made for anything (although the packaging suggested candle making). I think I need to do another coat, because I sprinkled some water on it today and it looked like I may not have sealed a spot as well as the rest.
lol they look fucked up afterwards… id rather just get a waterproof spray..
I like how it darkens them and I like the feel of waxed canvas too.
I love this idea, I am going to try this ASAP!
Haha aww poor dejected dog. But yeah, same here! Really liking the dark look. Thank you for the post!
yeah why not just buy waterproof spray it looks awful now ??? I dont get it
It’s definitely a different look, but I like it
did u guys see the before picture? they looked trashed because they are
XD your avatar represents you =)))))
I would hope so…. It’s a picture of me!!
They were old shoes to being with. He didn’t say it would make them look any better.
Watch where you flick your ash, since your shoes are now highly flammable!
Lucky I don’t smoke!
and beeswax isnt that flammable… although if you did hold a lighter to em or try and say, stomp out a fire or something, you might end up with a pretty seirous problem
Beeswax is not flammable…that’s why they make beeswax candles…because they melt.
That’s what I thought!!
The wax is being burned in a candle. As the wax melts it gets sucked up through the wick by capillary action to the flame, where it gets oxidized like crazy (burned). Wax is most certainly flammable!
The wax burns, but not hot enough to support the chemical reaction – that’s why you need the wick.
To be flammable, a material has to release more energy when it oxidizes (aka burns) than is required to trigger the oxidation. Common household wax does not.
Try lighting a puddle of wax on fire. It will melt, and if you keep the flame on it it will eventually burn up, but if you remove the flame it won’t continue to burn.
Grease is flammable. Try making a candle out of Crisco or lard and watch what happens. Don’t do it indoors though, you could burn your house down.
The fact that it melts and burns but is not flammable is the reason wax is useful for candles. It actually made those shoes less flammable (though not fireproof, obviously) – try lighting an un-waxed pair of shoes (or, you know, just a piece of cloth or something) with a lighter, and then a waxed pair. I guarantee the waxed pair will be harder to light and will burn much, much slower than the unwaxed pair.
Don’t you think that we should always avoid burning things falling on our clothing?
E’s certainly got a point there.
Shoes wont breath and they will stink.
I wear these puppies sockless and with a lot of baby powder. I got stinky feet regardless. It’s an uphill battle.
Cool
It’s good to know.
Bonus points: use a spray bottle to (mostly) evenly mist untreated leather, then repeat as above for an oiled patina. It looks great on my work boots. I like a medium weight cotton/rayon polyblend for foot sweat, but climates and feet tend to vary.
Awesome tip!!
Great idea I think for my shoes. Thanks
Or you could just coat them with this –>http://www.neverwet.com/anti-wetting.php
Nano technology is pretty awesome. But I stand by my prehistoric methods
What kind of dog is that? Looks EXACTLY like my Australian Cattle dog/Jack Russell mix, so cute!
That’s Lu. She is a rescue from Mississippi. We were told she is part terrier, part hound, but who knows! She is darn cute though.
I saw this on Pinterest and I’m just commenting because this looks like my dog, too! She was a rescue in NW Florida. We aren’t sure what she is, either but definitely has some terrier, maybe some American Fox Hound, too? Now, I’m going to look up the Australian Cattle dog to see what it looks like.
Im wondering if this will make leather hoses air tight? I have some leather hoses that leak air that need to be sealed. Any idea?
Hmmmmmmm. I don’t think it would seal holes unless they were really really small. I can’t say for sure.
They aren’t really holes they are more like pores. Visible to the eye but when submerged in water the water goes through it.
Invisible* to the eye
It might work. I haven’t done much work with leather.
Hmmm …I’m going to try. Thanks for the idea. Since your in Porland, ME send me a case of Allagash tripel, at your expense. Thanks bud.
That’s so funny. When I drank, Tripel was one of my favorites. Check out this event sometime if you can: http://learnyourbeer.com/
Super cool! Maine is a bit of ways from me but still interesting. Cheers mate and thanks for the tips.
I really like this! Might try this sometime! Wouldn’t try on shoes with a colorful design though
Living in Seattle with Vand will be a breeze now.
I’ve been thinking about doing this with Otter Wax for a while now. Being that I’ve exclusively worn old schools since 2002 only changing for a running show, I feel I should commit.
I thought about ordering otter Wax but I think beeswax is the main ingredient and I didn’t want to wait
This is brilliant. I can’t wait to try and get another year out of my Keds from 8th grade using BEESWAX!
Thanks and yep I like the new look with beeswax.
Awesome DIY project! Will try it out on my chucks now.
Dude, thats my skull!
Dude, what skull?!
Canvas shoes suck anyway-who wears them??
I wear canvas shoes every day the weather allows. They are proper apparel for the New England gentlemen.
have you tried a microcysiline wax? it dries clearer than beeswax and its a lot cheaper
No I haven’t. I’ll definitely check it out!
Fun stuff! Canvas shoes are hippie chic and I adore this idea. Thanks for sharing
would this work for non-slip work shoes?
What specific shoe is it?
The shoes turned out cool. I like’em alot and I will try it on my shoes. Thanks for sharing. I noticed that your last response was on the 18th. It won’t be the 18th for ten more minutes here in(N.C). Where are you?
I’m in Portland Maine. The clock on my site might be off…
Yeah the clock on my site was set to the wrong time zone. Good catch. Thanks!
Making it waterproof is like making the shoes be nonwashable. So I think it’s better if you’ll have the shoes to be cleaned first (dry clean or whatever nicer method) so it will look great, brand new and waterproof afterwards.
That would of been a good call. I thought about it and then I thought about having to wait for them to dry and I was like nahhhhhh
What if I don’t have a dejected dog? Will a cynical cat work?
Oh yeah. Lu was just filling in for Nermal, see http://diyblog.zwickerhillphotography.com/mini-greenhouse-from-old-windows/
cool, i like this idea
ill definitely be doing this to my vans
Would this work on leather or synthetic leather? Would it darken white leather?
I don’t think that material would be permeable enough.
Pretty clever! Great job!
Cool! And it darkened them?? They were already darkened in the first place. I don’t see a change in color from the before and after pictures.
It’s kind of hard to see in the pictures, but they almost look wet after. That kind of dark.
They looked shite before hand anyway. Will they keep white vans slip ons from getting dirty if done when brand new?
I would not do this to white Vans. They are so bright white and crisp and I think this would dull that. However, I would do this to off-white chucks.
Ummmm. If you’re wearing Vans in the rain…. Nevermind.
Will this prevent puke stains? Yeah, I lost a pair of slip on Chucks that way.
I think it would. Project my friend, project.
Or you could just buy the water and stainshield from vans hahah i work there it works just like that ^^
Not nearly as fun
Love this idea!
Awesome tip! So many VANS to save now
Do you happen to know if this will work on TOMS? I know it’s canvas, but it wasn’t specifically in the article, just curious! Also, I’m a smoker, how flammable is beeswax?! Thanks!
I bet it would work on Toms, but I can’t say for sure cuz I don’t own any. The flammable concern has been quite the issue of debate in the comments. I honestly don’t think your shoes are going to burst into flames if an ember lands on them. Will they burn? Sure, but most shoes would. Thanks!
Beeswax burns, but is not flammable (as in, it won’t continue to burn once the heat source is removed).
That’s what makes it useful for candles. If it were flammable, the whole puddle of melted wax would be on fire, and then the whole candle, and then you’d have a fireball you wouldn’t believe. That’s actually exactly how grease works. Never make a candle out of lard.
So wax actually makes the shoes a little less flammable, not more.
Would it work on TOMS?
I believe it would!
I just tried this with my new pair of orange canvas Toms!
It worked really well and I used white/clear wax (not natural beeswax) which ended up not darkening the shoes significantly. The water beaded so nicely. Just took awhile to carefully get around the seams to ensure good coverage.
That’s awesome! Where did you pick up the wax? Is it specifically for clothes or canvas?
I went to Michael’s and picked up a block of wax. I don’t think it was specifically made for anything (although the packaging suggested candle making). I think I need to do another coat, because I sprinkled some water on it today and it looked like I may not have sealed a spot as well as the rest.
Yeah I missed some spots on mine and had to go back later and do some touch up.
I love this idea! and the dejected dog
what kind of a dog is it?
She’s a rescue from Mississippi. Part hound part terrier we think.
DUH. fucking brilliant. thank you.