Rub 'N Buff European Gold Upcycled Ballet Flats DIY

Rub 'N Buff European Gold Upcycled Ballet Flats DIY!

Do you ever find a great pair of shoes...but it's not a color you'd wear? Or do you have some shoes in the closet that are pretty worn out? Or you need a great pair of shoes for a costume...but they need a new color? This is a great upcycled craft for making shoes last longer, work for a costume or be a color you'd wear! Using Rub 'N Buff to transform shoes into gold! This fun technique can give anything a steampunk or vintage feel...perfect for this week of crafts inspired by Downton Abbey.

I found these shoes and really liked them...mostly. I love the tooled leather look, I love the shape, I love the fit...but I will never wear this color. I'm like batman, I dress in black. I needed to change them into a neutral color that I would wear. Yes, gold is neutral. Stacy London taught me that on "What not to wear".

Supplies Needed:

Shoes in need of an upgrade (leather or faux leather)
Disposable Gloves
Buffing Cloth (or napkin)
Rub 'N Buff



Rub 'N Buff is a wax based cream that you rub onto the surface and then buff with a cloth. It shines and is very permanent. It comes in a variety of metallic shades. I picked European Gold for these shoes, it's almost a rose gold and I love it.

Begin by rubbing a little gold wax on the shoes in circles. Ideally wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area.

Then gently rub with a cloth, I used a napkin. This removes excess wax, keeps it smooth and gives it a shine.

Compare the shoes now! Pretty subtle transformation, but a gold shoe is a neutral that I will wear.

Repeat the process for the second shoe and done! It takes less than 10 minutes to upcycle a sweet pair of shoes so you can wear them again!

Here's another pair of shoes I did...they are Dansko wedges, they were a bone color...and now they are gold! Totally subtle, but just my thing!

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Here's another pair of shoes I did using Rub n' Buff:
C3PO and R2D2 Upcycled Shoes!


Here's a fun dart gun I made all Steampunk with Rub 'N Buff: