To dye shoe soles, mix Angelus Sole Bright 50/50 with Angelus Leather Dye, brush it onto the clean rubber, wrap the sole in plastic, and set it in the sun until you like the color. The dye works into the rubber instead of sitting on top, so there's no paint layer to crack off. To paint mesh, mix Angelus Leather Paint 1:1 with Angelus 2-Soft, build thin coats, and heat set it at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes so the mesh stays soft.
We've made paints and dyes in Los Angeles since 1907. This guide follows a custom Nike Air Max 720 by Jake of @visionarykickz, with a cotton candy fade on the mesh and dyed translucent soles. You can watch the full Air Max 720 custom on YouTube.
Quick answer: dye soles and paint mesh
- Clean: Easy Cleaner on the soles and mesh.
- Soles first: tape the uppers, brush on Sole Bright + Leather Dye 50/50, wrap, and sun.
- Mesh next: tape the soles, then paint mixed 1:1 with 2-Soft in thin coats.
- Heat set: 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
Shop This Guide
Dyes soles
Sole Bright
Mixed 50/50 with Leather Dye, it carries color into the rubber. 4.7 stars from 760+ reviews.
ShopSole color
Angelus Leather Dye
Pick the color for the mix. Icy soles show it best. 4.8 stars from 2,200+ reviews.
Shop colorsKeeps mesh soft
2-Soft Fabric Medium
Mix 1:1 with paint so the mesh doesn't go stiff. 4.9 stars from 520+ reviews.
ShopClean lines
Red Vinyl Tape
Bends around midsole curves so dye and paint don't bleed. 4.8 stars from 350+ reviews.
ShopReal reviews from Angelus customers
4.9 stars from 520+ reviews of Angelus 2-Soft
★★★★★
"2-Soft works as intended. On mesh or soft fabric it works perfectly. Mixing at a 1:1 ratio with the paint is key, but besides that the product is amazing."
Aaron W. · Verified buyer · 2-Soft
★★★★★
"Great product for painting sock liners and mesh. Keeps you from ending up with a hard crusty finish."
N. K. · Verified buyer · 2-Soft
★★★★★
"Best, most reliable way to dye my customs translucent soles. Easiest and cleanest way I've ever done it."
Brad T. · Verified buyer · Sole Bright
How to Dye Shoe Soles and Paint Mesh, Step by Step
You'll need Easy Cleaner, tape, Sole Bright, Angelus Leather Dye, Angelus Leather Paint, 2-Soft, a brush set or airbrush, plastic wrap, gloves, and a heat gun. We dye the soles before painting, so tape never has to go on fresh paint.
Clean the Soles and Mesh
Scrub the soles and the mesh with Easy Cleaner and a brush, then let everything dry. Mesh doesn't have a factory finish, so it doesn't need deglazing. If your pair has leather overlays you plan to paint, wipe those with Leather Preparer & Deglazer.
Tape Off the Uppers
Run vinyl tape tightly along the line where the sole meets the upper, all the way around, and put on gloves. Sole Bright can burn mesh, so this line matters.
Dye the Soles With Sole Bright and Leather Dye
Mix equal parts Sole Bright and Angelus Leather Dye. Jake used Light Blue and Rose for the fade. Brush a thin, even coat over the sole up to the tape, wrap the sole in plastic wrap, and set the shoes sole-up in direct sun. Check every 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse and repeat until you like the color. For black soles, use Jet Black Leather Dye in the mix.
Customer tip
"The dye, when mixed with Sole Bright, works great on the icy soles of Jordans. It holds up great, doesnt chip or damage the sole." (Devin B., verified buyer)
Caution: keep Sole Bright off the mesh
Sole Bright is for rubber and foam soles only. On mesh, canvas, leather, or suede it can burn and permanently discolor the material, and the sun speeds that up. Wipe drips right away, and if it creeps onto the upper, bring the shoes in and rinse it off with water.
Rinse, Dry, and Tape the Soles
Rinse the soles, let the shoes dry, and pull the tape off the uppers. Then tape over the dyed soles and any hard overlays you want to keep their original color.
Mix Paint 1:1 With 2-Soft and Paint the Mesh
Mix Angelus Leather Paint with 2-Soft in a 1:1 ratio. Jake used Hot Pink and Light Blue. Apply several thin coats, letting each one dry, until the coverage is full and even. If you airbrush, thin the mix with 2-Thin until it flows smoothly through the airbrush.
Heat Set at 300°F
Once the paint is completely dry, go over the mesh with a heat gun at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This step is required to activate 2-Soft, so don't skip it.
Finish the Details
Pull the tape and touch up small details with a fine brush. Jake finished the Swooshes in Flat White. Skip 2-Hard on shoes: it dries hard and cracks on anything that bends, so it's meant for rigid items like cups and bottles.
Which Method for Which Part of the Shoe
| Part | What we'd use |
|---|---|
| Mesh, knit, Primeknit | Angelus Paint + 2-Soft 1:1, then heat set. |
| Canvas | Same as mesh. See how to paint canvas shoes. |
| Leather | Deglaze, then Angelus Paint on its own. See how to paint leather shoes. |
| Translucent or icy soles | Sole Bright + Leather Dye 50/50. Icy soles show color the most. |
| Rubber soles you walk on | Dye, not paint. See why paint won't last on soles. |
| Yellowed soles | Sole Bright on its own. See how to restore yellowed soles. |
Shipping to California? Regular Angelus Leather Dye can't ship there. Low VOC Leather Dye can, and customers use it on soles too.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Painting mesh without 2-Soft. Paint alone dries stiff on fabric and can crack when the shoe flexes.
- Skipping the heat set. 2-Soft needs heat to activate.
- Thick coats. They fill the mesh holes and dry stiff. Thin coats keep the texture.
- Letting Sole Bright touch the mesh. It can burn uppers, so tape the edge and check often.
- Taping over fresh paint. Tape can pull it up. Dye the soles first.
- Using 2-Hard on shoes. It cracks on anything that bends.
Related guides: Can you paint shoe soles? · Restore yellowed soles · Paint canvas shoes · Paint leather shoes
Dyeing Soles and Painting Mesh FAQ
How do you dye shoe soles?
Clean the soles, tape the uppers, and brush on Sole Bright mixed 50/50 with Angelus Leather Dye. Wrap the sole in plastic wrap and leave it in the sun, checking every 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse and repeat for deeper color.
How do you dye rubber soles black?
Use the same method with Jet Black Leather Dye in the Sole Bright mix. Darker dyes give the strongest color on rubber.
Does sole dye last longer than paint?
Yes. Paint sits on top of the rubber and wears off as you walk. The Sole Bright and dye mix works into the rubber, so there's no layer on top to crack or peel.
Can you paint mesh shoes?
Yes. Mix Angelus Leather Paint 1:1 with 2-Soft, apply thin coats, and heat set at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. The mesh stays soft instead of feeling stiff.
Do you need to deglaze mesh before painting?
No. Mesh has no factory finish. Clean it with Easy Cleaner and let it dry. Deglaze only leather parts.
Can you airbrush on mesh?
Yes. Mix your paint with 2-Soft, then thin it with 2-Thin until it flows smoothly through the airbrush. Spray light coats and heat set when it's dry.
