Introduction

Customizing sneakers is the ultimate way to express your personal style and turn a standard silhouette into wearable art. With the right prep, paint, and finishing products from Angelus, you can achieve durable, professional results right from your studio. Follow this quick 5-step guide to see how New Orleans-based artist and former art teacher Mariah (@starkeycustomco_shoes) transforms a pair of Nikes into a colorful masterpiece.

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Mariah @starkeycustomco_shoes

Former middle school art teacher, now custom shoe artist based in New Orleans. I started painting custom shoes for my little nephews, then started painting for friends, and now I’m painting for customers and huge brands like Pop-Tarts and e.l.f! I am currently in grad school working towards my counseling license. I am looking forward to combining my art experience with Expressive Arts Therapy to offer more programs in my community.

Instagram

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How to Customize Nike p-6000:

A Step-By-Step Guide

1

Prep the Surface

Before a drop of paint touches the shoe, use Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer with an applicator pad on all leather surfaces. This removes the factory sealant so your custom paint job won't peel or crack.

A person wearing black nitrile gloves pours Angelus Professional Leather Preparer and Deglazer onto a cotton pad to prep a white Nike sneaker for painting on a gridded cutting mat.

Before a drop of paint touches the shoe, use Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer with an applicator pad on all leather surfaces. This removes the factory sealant so your custom paint job won't peel or crack.

A person wearing black nitrile gloves pours Angelus Professional Leather Preparer and Deglazer onto a cotton pad to prep a white Nike sneaker for painting on a gridded cutting mat.
2

Mix Your Paints

Create your own unique colorway by mixing any Angelus Paints together on a palette tray. Mix your colors (like the custom teal and purples shown here) to ensure they are fully blended before applying them to the shoe.

A close-up view of a white plastic paint palette where Angelus Leather Paints in teal, blue, and red are being mixed using a metal palette knife to create custom shades.

Create your own unique colorway by mixing any Angelus Paints together on a palette tray. Mix your colors (like the custom teal and purples shown here) to ensure they are fully blended before applying them to the shoe.

A close-up view of a white plastic paint palette where Angelus Leather Paints in teal, blue, and red are being mixed using a metal palette knife to create custom shades.
3

Paint the Leather

Apply your custom-mixed colors to the leather overlays. The key to a factory-finish look is patience: apply 3-5 thin, even coats rather than one thick layer. Allow each coat to dry completely (or use a heat gun lightly) before applying the next to ensure the color is opaque and streak-free.

Close-up of a customizer applying pink Angelus Leather Paint to the leather overlays of a white mesh sneaker using a flat brush, with blue paint already applied to the heel.

Apply your custom-mixed colors to the leather overlays. The key to a factory-finish look is patience: apply 3-5 thin, even coats rather than one thick layer. Allow each coat to dry completely (or use a heat gun lightly) before applying the next to ensure the color is opaque and streak-free.

Close-up of a customizer applying pink Angelus Leather Paint to the leather overlays of a white mesh sneaker using a flat brush, with blue paint already applied to the heel.
4

Black Out the Mesh

Mix Black Angelus Paint with 2-Soft at a 50-50 ratio., this will keep the mesh soft after painting,. Use a brush and wool dauber to get full coverage. You MUST heat set with a head gun or hair dryer for 3-5 minutes for the paint/2-soft mix to properly dry and stay soft.

A hand using an Angelus wool dauber to apply black paint to the white mesh ankle collar of a colorful custom sneaker featuring vibrant teal, blue, and pink panels.

Mix Black Angelus Paint with 2-Soft at a 50-50 ratio., this will keep the mesh soft after painting,. Use a brush and wool dauber to get full coverage. You MUST heat set with a head gun or hair dryer for 3-5 minutes for the paint/2-soft mix to properly dry and stay soft.

A hand using an Angelus wool dauber to apply black paint to the white mesh ankle collar of a colorful custom sneaker featuring vibrant teal, blue, and pink panels.
5

Finishing Steps

Paint the edges of your leather for a polished look! Then finish your leather pieces with Angelus Matte, Satin, or High Gloss 4-Coat. Apply 2-3 light coats of your preferred sheen.

A flat brush applies a clear layer of Angelus Acrylic Finisher over a freshly painted pink leather section of a multi-colored custom sneaker to seal and protect the design.

Paint the edges of your leather for a polished look! Then finish your leather pieces with Angelus Matte, Satin, or High Gloss 4-Coat. Apply 2-3 light coats of your preferred sheen.

A flat brush applies a clear layer of Angelus Acrylic Finisher over a freshly painted pink leather section of a multi-colored custom sneaker to seal and protect the design.
A person wearing black nitrile gloves pours Angelus Professional Leather Preparer and Deglazer onto a cotton pad to prep a white Nike sneaker for painting on a gridded cutting mat.
A close-up view of a white plastic paint palette where Angelus Leather Paints in teal, blue, and red are being mixed using a metal palette knife to create custom shades.
Close-up of a customizer applying pink Angelus Leather Paint to the leather overlays of a white mesh sneaker using a flat brush, with blue paint already applied to the heel.
A hand using an Angelus wool dauber to apply black paint to the white mesh ankle collar of a colorful custom sneaker featuring vibrant teal, blue, and pink panels.
A flat brush applies a clear layer of Angelus Acrylic Finisher over a freshly painted pink leather section of a multi-colored custom sneaker to seal and protect the design.

Creator Questions

New Orleans

Instagram! Other custom shoe artists recommended angelus paints and I trusted their opinion.

I paint custom sneakers! I have also used angelus paints on fabric like hats and bags.

Oh man. That is hard to pick. I wouldn’t have a successful business if it wasn’t for the quality of Angelus products. I love their leather preparer and deglazer, the paints of course, 2-thin is also a must have because the right consistency of paint is everything. I also love 2 soft when I paint the sock lining or laces. And my all time favorite, the matte 4-coat finisher!

Find your why. I consistently create because it brings me peace when I’m in the creative process. Find your reason for creating and honor that time you dedicate to your art. In this wild world we are living in, it’s helpful to spend more time creating and less time consuming.

🛒 Téo's Top 5 Angelus Products

Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95
Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95
Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95
Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95
Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95
Angelus Direct 12 Color Paint Assortment Kit Paint Kit

12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

$42.95

-

$47.40
Angelus Direct 2-Thin Paint Thinner Paint Additives

2-Thin Paint Thinner

$3.95
Angelus Direct 2-Soft Fabric Medium Paint Additives

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95
Angelus Direct Leather Preparer and Deglazer 5 oz. Cleaner

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

-

$3.67
Angelus Direct Matte 4-Coat 4 oz. Top Coat

Matte 4-Coat

$6.95

Unlock More Inspiration

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