Okay, folks, let’s talk about my little project with the LeBron 11s “Fruity Pebbles.” I’m no sneaker customizer, but I had this idea and just had to try it.
The Idea
I’ve always loved the “Fruity Pebbles” colorway on LeBrons. It’s just so wild and fun. I saw a pair of the 11s online, and they were pretty beat up, but cheap. That’s when it hit me: I could try to restore them, or at least, make them look presentable again.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed the shoes. They were definitely worn, with scuffs on the midsole and the colors looking faded. The laces were also pretty grimy. My first step was a deep clean. I took out the laces and threw them in the washing machine with some other whites. Good old, simple method.
The Cleaning Process
For the shoes themselves, I used a soft-bristled brush and some soapy water. Nothing fancy, just dish soap. I went section by section, gently scrubbing away the dirt and grime. I paid extra attention to the soles, as they were the dirtiest. It took a while, I’m not gonna lie. My arms were definitely feeling it.
- Used a soft brush – didn’t want to damage the material.
- Used warm, soapy water – seemed to do the trick.
- Scrubbed, scrubbed, and scrubbed some more!
Midsole Touch-Up
Once the shoes were clean and dry, I tackled the midsole. The white paint had some scuffs and yellowing. I grabbed some white acrylic paint and a fine-tipped brush. I carefully applied thin layers of paint to cover up the imperfections. I let each layer dry completely before adding another. This part was super tedious, needing a steady hand.
The Result
After all that, the shoes looked way better. They weren’t perfect, by any means, but they were definitely wearable again. The colors popped a bit more, the midsole looked cleaner, and the fresh laces made a big difference. I felt pretty proud of myself, even if it was just a small restoration project. I learned that a little elbow grease and patience can go a long way! I ended up wearing them out the next day, and they felt great, both in terms of comfort and my own satisfaction.
