Hey there, fellow shoe enthusiasts! So, you’ve just finished creating a beautiful masterpiece on a pair of plain white sneakers, or perhaps you’ve revived an old pair with a vibrant burst of colors. Now, you want to make sure your hard work lasts and remains as vibrant as ever. That’s where sealing your painted shoes comes in. In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to seal your painted shoes effectively and make them withstand the test of time and wear. Let’s get started!
What Kind of Paint to Use on Shoes?
I’m Rich, and I started Tactilehobby.com (acquired by Gigworker.com in 2023). I’m a hobby enthusiast with a real love for painting miniatures. I also happen to run this site and write the majority of its content!
Updated on: September 12, 2023
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Because shoes are something we use in everyday life, some people consider painting them.
Whether it’s to revive them or just because you want to give them a new look, it might seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Knowing what type of paint to use on shoes is important before trying to paint them yourself.
What kind of paint should you use on shoes?
Leather or spray paints are used for leather or vinyl shoes, while fabric paint is best used for cloth or canvas shoes. For more intricate designs on shoes, paint pens should be used to sketch out the designs, before adding the appropriate types of paint.
While this answer reveals the types of paint you can use to give your shoes a new life, it is worth your while to investigate more information about it.
When applying paint, there are many factors to take into consideration.
3 Popular Paint Options
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- Leather Paint, Spray Paint, or Fabric Paint: Which Is Better?
- Why Paint Your Shoes?
- Can Designs Be Added to Shoes?
- 5 Great Paint Products for Shoes
- #1 Angelus Leather Paint
- #2 Plasti Dip Ready to Spray Liquid Wrap
- #3 MagicFly Permanent Fabric Paint Set
- #4 FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint Set
- #5 Paint Marker Set
Leather Paint, Spray Paint, or Fabric Paint: Which Is Better?
The paint that you use on your shoes will depend on the materials used to craft your shoes.
Spray paints, in general, will dry better on leather and vinyl because those materials tend to have a glossy finish .
Using a brush on those types of shoes could result in lines being left behind, meaning the shoes would probably look worse than they did before you started painting them.
Additionally, you could use leather paint on leather and vinyl shoes .
There should be no streaks left behind, and you have more control over the paint as opposed to spraying them.
Be sure to read my Complete Leather Painting Guide to learn how to properly prep your leather shoes before attempting to add any paints.
Note that leather paints, which are acrylic, dry quickly (find out how fast here) and may need to be thinned for best results.
This article, although its main focus is on painting miniatures, explains in detail how to thin acrylic paints correctly.
However, spray paint is recommended if you’re going for one color on leather and vinyl shoes.
Fabric paint works best on cloth shoes because the paint meshes well with that particular material.
You can head over to this article to learn about the four kinds of fabric paints and why they may be better than acrylics for use on fabric shoes.
As for paint pens, they can be used on all the materials to help if you’re looking to add some designs along the way.
They will help if you’re worried about spilling over into areas of the shoe you would like to use a different color for.
Why Paint Your Shoes?
Customizing clothing or footwear is not a new development. Sometimes, the style of shoe is perfect for your needs, but the shoe is not in the color you’re looking for.
Painting shoes may not be for everyone, but it allows you to give your shoes your own personal, stylish touch.
Your reason for painting your shoes may be that they have scuffs or scratches and are showing signs of wear and tear.
Smoothing the shoe down and then applying paint allows you to extend the lifespan of your favorite pair of shoes.
In a world in which people care deeply about appearances, making sure your shoes look great is necessary.
Cosmetic damage will be a thing of the past when you upcycle your shoes.
One positive result of painting your own shoes is that you may have people questioning where you got them because they’re just so easy on the eyes.
Understanding the Importance of Sealing
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why sealing your painted shoes is so crucial. Sealing your painted shoes is the secret to preserving your artistic work and ensuring its brilliance lasts for years to come. Sealing not only enhances the durability of the paint but also acts as a protective barrier against dirt, water, and other external factors that could damage your artwork. It keeps the colors intact, preventing fading and chipping, and ensures your painted shoes remain vibrant and eye-catching for an extended period.
Painting custom shoes has become increasingly popular, and it’s no wonder why! It allows you to express your creativity and style while transforming ordinary footwear into unique works of art. However, without proper sealing, your masterpieces might fade, crack, or peel, robbing you of the joy of your hard work.
Choosing the Right Paint and Shoes
Before diving into the painting process, it’s crucial to choose the right type of paint and shoes for your project. Different shoe materials require specific types of paint to achieve the best results.
Smooth-surfaced shoes provide the best canvas for your artwork, so keep an eye out for shoes with minimal textures or patterns. Additionally, ensuring your shoes are clean and well-prepped before painting is vital for a smooth and even finish.
Gathering Your Materials
To begin the sealing process, you’ll need a few essential materials. The good news is that these items are readily available, and you might already have some on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Painted Shoes: Your fantastic painted shoes, of course!
- Acrylic Sealant: Look for a high-quality, water-resistant acrylic sealant designed for use on fabric or shoes.
- Paintbrushes: Soft-bristled brushes in various sizes will help you apply the sealant evenly.
- Masking Tape: This will come in handy for protecting any areas you don’t want to seal, like the soles or certain design elements.
- Well-Ventilated Area: Choose a spot with good airflow for the sealing process.
- Old Newspapers or Cardboard: To protect your workspace from any potential drips or spills.
Painting On Leather With Acrylics
Leather companies have been using acrylics to paint leather for a very long time, so it should be no surprise that Golden Artist Colors Acrylics can be used to paint leather as well. Which paint line to use and whether an additive is necessary is dependent upon the type of leather and how it was previously treated. To determine which process will work best for your particular application, it is important to test first on a sacrificial piece or an inconspicuous area of the leather surface.
Surface Preparation
There are a few tips that can make the application more successful. Before painting, wipe the leather with Isopropyl alcohol to degrease, clean and remove any coatings, waxes, or oils that may be on the leather. If alcohol does not remove the coating, it may be necessary to lightly sand the surface with some fine sandpaper.
The key to good adhesion of paint to leather objects is applying the paint thinly enough to soak into the leather. If thick paint is used or built up too thickly, there may be an increased chance the paint may crack when flexed. Acrylics are thermoplastics and respond to environmental temperatures. In a cold environment, the paint can become more brittle, increasing the chance of cracking, and in a warm environment, the paint can become softer and tackier. If the paint is thick on the surface, these changes due to temperature could be more dramatic. Our Fluid Acrylic and High Flow Acrylic lines work best in this type of application. These paint lines are thin enough to be applied directly to leather or they could be mixed with GOLDEN GAC 900 Fabric Painting Medium and when properly heat set, the addition of this medium could add flexibility and possibly a softer feel, dependent upon what type of leather, suede, nubuck or deerskin is used.
Painting Options
In our testing, we have found some mixed results, so we have varying recommendations dependent upon what type of leather is being painted and how the leather was treated beforehand. On completely undyed, unconditioned, untreated leather, the Fluid Acrylics mixed in a one to one (1:1) ratio with GAC 900, applied, dried and then heat set, was the most flexible paint film of all tested. On treated and dyed latigo belt leather and garment leather, the High Flow acrylics worked well, soaking into the leather while retaining the feel and flexibility. Painting suede, nubuck and deerskin can be a bit more tricky. Every combination of products we tried changed the feel of these soft leathers. It is crucial to test on similar materials to figure out what will work best and what will provide an acceptable color and feel. We would recommend trying the High Flow Acrylics on their own, or the Fluid Acrylics thinned with a little water, or the Fluid Acrylics with the addition of GAC 900 in a recommended ratio of one part paint to one part GAC 900. When using GAC 900 it is necessary to heat set after it has dried to the touch. Heat setting can be done with a hair dryer on the hottest setting for 7 – 10 minutes.
Painting Shoes
There are many videos on the internet showing how to paint leather shoes and sneakers with acrylic paints. While online tutorials can be informative, what works for one may not work for all. Therefore, it is very important to test for your particular application. There are so many types of leathers out there with a number of different types of treatments, dyes and finishes and no blanket application technique will work for every shoe. Some mixtures are easier to control than others, dependent upon the application technique or painting style. Every artist’s hand controls paint differently, so preference may be personal. In our testing, we found the High Flow paints with nothing added worked the best on the pair of sneakers we painted. The Fluid Acrylic/GAC 900 combination was thinner and remained tacky until heat set and the Fluid Acrylics on their own applied a bit thicker and when thinned with water was a little easier to apply. As it turns out, all of the applications were very successful and all were very flexible. Sock liners may also be painted with a one to one mixture of Fluid Acrylics and GAC 900. When using GAC 900 mixed with the paint, it may feel tacky until it is properly heat set. Please note that heat-setting GAC 900 releases trace amounts of formaldehyde, which may be of concern to those with chemical sensitivities. We recommend providing fresh-air ventilation when using heat-set products. More information about the use of GAC 900 can be found on our Painting on Fabric with GOLDEN Acrylics application sheet.
For durability, protection, and moisture resistance, we recommend applying a topcoat after the paint has cured. There are many options available including acrylics, oils, waxes, silicones and polyurethanes. They are available as brush-on fluids or in aerosol spray cans. We recommend researching what is available, especially from leather specialists like Tandy, Angelus and Fiebing. When selecting a topcoat, it is key to make sure it is compatible with acrylic paints.
So there is no real quick and easy “one size fits all” answer to how to paint leather, but there are many options available and testing is an important first step when deciding which option is right for you. If you have questions or need assistance with your project, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
