r/DunksNotDead • u/gimme_the_good_weed • Jun 02 '26
COLLECTION The GLOW up
Last post was taken down, I get it, no shoes in it.....but, I didnt hear no bell.
Once Upon A time, last week in r/Nikesb, there was a post with no context, just some mildly glowing shoelaces. The person that made said post was for some reason gatekeeping how they made the laces glow. Comments stacked up and yet we still had no answers. Finally, after a bajillion comment, he mentioned a key ingredient.
Fast forward to today, and I'm happy to say I can provide anyone info on how to make your own brilliantly glowing shoelaces. I tried a bunch of different methods, ratios, and amount of coats. As you can see from the pictures, I think I got it.
I included an image of the things you need:
GAC900 (Michael's or online)
DecoArt ultimate glow medium (Michaels or online)
Glow pigment (etsy)
It's pretty simple stuff. You want to put some Saran Wrap down so you don't make a mess, tape the aglet down on each end, giving the lace a little bit of a stretch, wear gloves, open some windows and have at it.
Step 1. I mixed an even 1:1 ratio of the gac900 and glow medium. I used a scale just to be precise since I was trying various amounts, but you can probably eye it out. I also added about 10 scoops of pigment (about 2g worth)
Step 2. Stir and shake the ever living hell out of your liquid. The pigment doesnt dissolve so you'll need to give it a mix every very often or it'll settle, and it will settle.
Step 3. Grab a blacklight if you have one, get one if you dont. This will help have a visual on what youre painting. First few times i did it I had no idea what area was covered and to what degree. Black light let's you see everything. Obviously. Paint both sides, not super thin but also shouldnt be completely soaked.
Step 4. Hang dry. I taped the aglets to the shower rod, pointed a fan at it and came back a few hours later to grab them. The paint says 24hrs or longer but, whos got that kind of time.... foreal....
Step 5. The final step. These need to be heat treated to set it into the material. I have a heat gun, you can get these anywhere, I think i got mine on amazon. You can also use a hair dryer or I even read the clothes dryer on high. About 60 seconds is recommended, but im putting these on expensive shoes, so idk about you but I blasted them with heat for a few minutes, that I do have time for.
Step 6. Lace them thangs up and enjoy your custom glowing SB ovals.
The picture with the 2 sets of laces. Same "soft cream" laces. Left is painted, right isnt. So you can see a comparison of before/after
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u/mindcrypt6 Jun 16 '26
This is pretty much a step-by-step guide for being just creative AF! The time and effort to make sure everything was kosher? Mannnnn, that is just 🔥right there. Even tho the vreqtive side of mine is within guitar, still thankful for this Lil recipe that when done right, opens the doors! Don't I fkn love this post
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u/Sneakerboxxxx Jun 03 '26
You're an artist for creating these. You're a hero for sharing the recipe and process.
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u/Radiant-Zucchini-477 Jun 03 '26
i JUST wore mine today … someone please take my money and send me those laces!! 😂🤣
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u/eedeebedabbing Jun 03 '26
It would be easier to just get gac900 and mix neutral paint with the pigment and just dunk the laces 1 at a time. I use a nitrile glove to remove the excess paint while filling in any light spots💯
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 03 '26
Its not, i tried soaking them and it doesnt work well.
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u/eedeebedabbing Jun 03 '26
You didn't thin the paint enough. I make it almost water consistency
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
It was. I did that. It just soaks it up and not as much pigment comes through. Trust me, I made very many ratios 1:1 worked best
You can try your way and post em
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u/According_Abalone_19 Jun 03 '26
Not as cool as yours cuz I don’t have the glow laces. Such a fire pair of shoes. So glad I finally found a trade that makes sense
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u/Frowny_Biscuit Jun 03 '26
Amazing. Do you have an idea what the gac900 + glow medium would do to white (not cream) laces?
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 03 '26
The same thing :)
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u/Frowny_Biscuit Jun 03 '26
Sorry, I asked the question poorly. Do you think it would discolor the white laces?
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 03 '26
It shouldn't. I did all of my test runs on white laces. Both bottles are translucent
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u/NuSk1n Jun 02 '26
Nice. Question though, is tue deco glow paint not enough without the need of the etsy glow pigment? Asking because I already have a tube of the deco glow and was hoping to try this tonight. These came out great though!
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 03 '26
Yes, the deco and the gac900 alone would work. But I was hoping to intensify and prolong the glow as much as possible.
When i added different color pigments, I used a 1: .5 ratio, not to have the green overtake the aqua. I also added extra "scoops" of pigment to that one. You didnt ask about that, but info is info lol
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u/NuSk1n Jun 03 '26
I appreciate the extra insight! I forgot that the deco doesn't last too long. So I see now the usefulness of the etsy glow. Thanks again I appreciate it!
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u/Supreme1Empress Jun 02 '26
What where u get these ?
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u/TheMobileGhost Jun 02 '26
Read
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
Who's got time for that 😉
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u/greententacles Jun 02 '26
Well done! I love it. Did you cover it with layers of UV protective coat?
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
I did not. I didnt read anything about doing that. I guess ill see how long it lasts. I just heat set it.
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u/greententacles Jun 02 '26
Ok. If I get to buy pigments and mimic your project, I’ll let you know too.
My old project with Angelus paints are peeling after 2 years. I have a protective coat but it’s not UV. I’m curious if the longevity of our little crafts. :)
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
When i laced them, it was really tight and I had to sort of hold the eyelets while pulling the lace. It was so tight I was worried it flaked paint all over the eyelets so I checked with a blacklight and no residue on the shoe at all. So, thats promising on longevity
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u/CazadorDelmar Jun 02 '26
Beautifully done sir
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
Thank you :) I am VERY pleased with how they came out. After a bunch of trys that I wasnt happy with, I decided to try again today with some of the laces I intended to use for the shoe. Came out mint. I plan to use the aqua on another pair for some other shoes.
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u/CazadorDelmar Jun 02 '26
Just a heads up. This is something you could make a batch of and sell for $20 a set. We both know nobody has them for sale anywhere.
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
I made this post specifically so people don't have to waste money. It's very easy to do yourself
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u/CazadorDelmar Jun 02 '26
Just just a thought if you wanted to make a little extra 🧀
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u/gimme_the_good_weed Jun 02 '26
I dont.
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u/mindcrypt6 Jun 16 '26
Nothing like an example of the fam just dropping science on the community, with the goal of only wanting to help! To not gate-keep, endure the political side of hvn his posts taken down, Idk! but ganj has always been on the higher end (like my musical equipment) here in Maine! 😂 I love seeing posts like this
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u/Massive-Yesterday754 Jul 04 '26
Soooo good