To paint shoes, clean them, remove the factory finish (on leather) so paint can grip, apply several thin coats of flexible acrylic paint, let each coat dry, and seal the design with an acrylic finisher. Thin coats are the difference between paint that flexes with the shoe and paint that cracks.
In this guide
What you need
- Paint: acrylic leather paint (Angelus is the best-known brand) for leather and synthetics; acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium for canvas
- Preparer: a leather preparer and deglazer, or rubbing alcohol
- Cotton pads, masking tape and a craft knife
- Soft brushes in a few sizes, including a fine detail brush
- Acrylic finisher (matte or gloss)
- Plain paper for stuffing the shoes
- A pencil for sketching the design
Which paint for which material?
| Material | Prep | Paint | Seal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth leather | Deglaze to remove the factory finish | Acrylic leather paint | Acrylic finisher |
| Synthetic leather | Wipe with rubbing alcohol; light scuff with fine sandpaper | Acrylic leather paint | Acrylic finisher |
| Canvas | Wash and dry fully | Acrylic mixed with fabric medium, or fabric paint | Heat set if the product says to; optional fabric protector |
| Rubber midsoles | Clean and scuff lightly | Leather paint with an adhesion additive | Finisher; expect more wear here |
| Suede and nubuck | Not suitable for paint | Use suede dye instead | Suede protector |
How to paint leather shoes and sneakers
- Clean the shoes and remove the laces. For a full clean, see how to clean white leather shoes.
- Stuff them with paper so the surface is firm and smooth.
- Deglaze. Rub the areas you will paint with preparer on a cotton pad until the shine dulls. This removes the factory coating that stops paint from bonding. Work in a ventilated room.
- Mask. Tape off soles, linings and any panels you want to keep clean. Trim the tape edges with a craft knife.
- Sketch the design lightly in pencil if needed.
- Apply the first coat thinly. It will look streaky; that is normal. Let it dry for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Build up three to five thin coats, drying between each. Lighter colours over dark leather need more coats, or a white base layer first.
- Add details with a fine brush once the base is dry.
- Seal with one or two thin coats of acrylic finisher.
- Let the shoes cure for 24 hours before wearing, and a few days before heavy use.
Related: How to Tie Dress Shoes So They Stay Tied and Look Neat
How to paint canvas shoes
- Wash the shoes and let them dry completely. See how to clean canvas shoes.
- Stuff with paper and mask the rubber.
- Mix acrylic paint with fabric medium, following the ratio on the bottle (often around two parts paint to one part medium). The medium keeps the paint soft and flexible.
- Paint in thin layers, letting each dry. Canvas absorbs the first coat.
- Heat set if the product instructions call for it, usually with a hairdryer or an iron through a cloth.
- Leave to cure for 24 to 72 hours.
How to stop painted shoes cracking
- Always prep the surface. Paint over a factory finish peels.
- Keep every coat thin and fully dry before the next.
- Use paint made to flex: leather acrylics or acrylic with fabric medium. Ordinary craft acrylic on its own goes stiff.
- Expect some wear at the toe crease. Fewer, thinner coats in that area last longer.
- Seal the finished design.
How to care for painted shoes
- Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid scrubbing brushes and solvents on painted areas.
- Do not machine wash.
- Touch up chips with the same paint and re-seal.
- Stuff them when stored so the painted panels do not fold.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular acrylic paint on shoes?
On canvas, yes, if you mix it with fabric medium. On leather, use acrylic leather paint; standard acrylic tends to crack and peel.
Is the paint waterproof?
Sealed leather paint is water-resistant and copes with rain, but it is not designed for soaking or machine washing.
How long does paint last on shoes?
With proper prep and sealing, a design can last for years of normal wear, with occasional touch-ups at the flex points.
Can I paint the soles?
You can, but soles and midsoles flex and scuff, so paint wears off there fastest. An adhesion additive and a finisher help.
