Comments on: How to Clean or Paint White Leatherette Jewelry Busts?

By: Karen Watson

Karen Watson — Sun, 03 May 2020 14:44:34 +0000

My first thought was,”Shoe polish”, but I haven’t purchased shoe polish for years. If you could find it, I would use the kind with the dauber on the top. Then keep it with your busts, for ocasional touch ups. I covered mine with a stretchy material and put a strip of grosgrain ribbon around the neck in a sort of “choker” style. I didn’t want to use a glue gun, but I might try that the next time my mood calls for a change. I have an earring display that I covered with a background of black lace, adhered with a glue gun. My busts that I covered were flocked like those cheap-o designing boards. Anyhow, I see a lot of creative ideas here, so, Good Luck. Your biggest problem will be choosing a look that is pleasing to you.

By: AnotherBeadIdea

AnotherBeadIdea — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:43:52 +0000

A dear friend suggested using tights to cover mine for a photo shoot. Worked great.

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:26:50 +0000

I have had great success using Angelus acrylic paint for leather.

By: daisy

daisy — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:29:58 +0000

In reply to Theresa Abell. what a great idea!

By: Kevlyn Hoisington

Kevlyn Hoisington — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 17:47:50 +0000

The leatherette type of coverings are basically a plastic, so use a spray paint made for plastics.

By: Cat@CatManDo!

Cat@CatManDo! — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:09:19 +0000

What great ideas here! Thank you all!!

By: Tammie

Tammie — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:41:58 +0000

I have seen posts from others on this subject, they used opaque ladies or children’s tights to cover them. Cut the tights into sections and tied the ends tight over & behind the bust.

By: Debra Lowe

Debra Lowe — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:22:15 +0000

In reply to Camille. Great idea, I used to decoupage with pretty napkins. Separate the two layers and use the decorative part to decoupage on to the your project. My white bust is yuk so I may do this today~

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 01:41:20 +0000

We have painted our white busts with chalk paint – then distressed them to look shabby-chic which works with our booth and theme.

By: Cathy Stewart

Cathy Stewart — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:59:13 +0000

Have you tried Awesome from the dollar store? I have cleaned many many things with this product.

By: Joyce Rafferty

Joyce Rafferty — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 06:18:20 +0000

I agree with the Mr Clean Magic Eraser–does wonders, then if that is unsuccessful, go ahead and gently spray paint in ivory or light dove grey.

By: Theresa Abell

Theresa Abell — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:08:43 +0000

I took a different approach when given some “older” busts that were not clean or good looking anymore. I “upholstered” them with different pale burlap fabrics. Hot glued in place, they look now clean, and the added advantage is that I can easily adhere earrings &/or pin a bracelet on the same display as my necklace. The pale blue burlap, pale pink, pale green & of course, natural. I did a cuff at the neck to imitate a high cowl neck which look nice, they are original and are great for Spring, Summer & green/natural, for Fall.

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:51:59 +0000

I, too, appreciate all of the answers to Jeanne’s question. My white busts have become really sad. I really like the idea of decoupage, since I have a ton of colored tissue paper from Christmas.

By: Deborah Fortin

Deborah Fortin — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:39:28 +0000

i have painted all of my white leatherette necklace stands for the same reason. I could not get them clean. so I painted them with grey acrylic artists paint , using a wide brush and a dry-brushing tecnique . They now look like barn board . I find that suits my aesthetic, as well as allowing the jewellery to be the star. I used to use a mix of balck and white ones depending on the colour of the necklace , but with the grey it is a neutral so it works with all my finished pieces.

By: Kathi

Kathi — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:29:44 +0000

First, try cleaning them with a Mr Clean magic eraser. If that doesn’t clean them up well enough then spray paint them…but I suggest using upholstery spray paint. This can be purchased at a car supply store and is made for leather.

By: Laurel

Laurel — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:08:23 +0000

I washed them first and dried. Then I used white spray paint and sprayed them twice (let dry in between spraying). Works pretty good. I leave my forms in the car and when it gets really hot, some of the paint started to crack. Shouldn’t be a problem if you don’t leave in the car.

By: Camille

Camille — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 11:45:50 +0000

You could decoupage them with a pretty paper or fabric. Just make sure not to use too busy of a pattern or the jewelry won’t stand out.