To paint roller skates, take off the laces, wheels, and toe stops, tape off the soles, then wipe the leather boots with Leather Preparer and Deglazer until the shine is gone. Brush on thin coats of Angelus Paint, let each dry, and seal everything with Acrylic Finisher. If your skates are suede, use Angelus Suede Dye to recolor them and keep the nap soft. Paint works on suede too, but it flattens the nap and leaves a smooth, screen-print feel.
Skaters have been sending us their custom boots for years, and we've been making the paints and dyes they use in Los Angeles since 1907. A pair of thrifted skates, a weekend, and a few bottles is often all it takes to roll out with something nobody else at the rink has.
Start here: what are your skates made of?
Quick answer: painting roller skates
- Remove laces, wheels, and toe stops.
- Tape off the soles, plates, and eyelets.
- Wipe the boots with Deglazer until the shine is gone.
- Brush on thin coats of Angelus Paint, drying between each.
- Seal with Acrylic Finisher and wait 24 to 48 hours before skating.
Why skates need extra prep
A skate boot bends with every stride
Your ankles flex the boot hundreds of times a session, and the toes take hits from stops and falls. Paint that's only sitting on the factory finish cracks and flakes under that kind of movement. Deglazer lets the paint bond to the leather, thin coats keep it flexible, and finisher takes the scrapes so your color doesn't.
Find the flex line
Bend the boot at the ankle and toe. Those creases need the thinnest coats.
Leave rubber alone
Toe stops, wheels, and rubber soles don't hold paint. Tape them off or take them off.
Check for suede
If the boot feels fuzzy, it's suede. Dye keeps it soft. Paint flattens the nap into a smooth finish.
New to painting? Start here
Angelus Paint Basics Kit
Black, White, Red, Yellow, and Blue mix into almost any color, and the kit adds five brushes and Deglazer. Angelus Paint moves with the boot, so it holds up to crossovers, stops, and the occasional fall. Add Acrylic Finisher to seal your skates.
4.9 stars from 290+ reviews
Shop the Basics Kit or browse all colors
Do this first
Leather Preparer and Deglazer
Removes the factory finish so paint grips the leather instead of peeling off at the first scuff. It also lifts wet paint if you need to fix a mistake.
4.8 stars from 1,000+ reviews
Shop DeglazerShop this guide
Clean lines
Red Vinyl Tape
Holds tight around the sole edge so paint doesn't leak under. 4.8 stars from 350+ reviews.
ShopSeal
Acrylic Finisher
Takes the scrapes in matte, satin, or gloss. 4.8 stars from 1,700+ reviews.
ShopSuede skates
Angelus Suede Dye
Recolors suede boots and keeps them soft. 4.7 stars from 1,400+ reviews.
ShopReal reviews from Angelus customers
Skaters are rolling on Angelus Paint
★★★★★
"I painted my roller skates, and everyone thought they were brand new!! See images attached! Amazing what paint can do!"
Holly M. · Verified buyer · Collector Edition French Blue
★★★★★
"I used it to customize roller skates and it doesn't chip at all and the colors are super vibrant and cover in just a few coats. So great!"
Jessica G. · Verified buyer · Blue Paint
★★★★★
"Everything I needed to give my skates a makeover :) The paint looks beautiful and the finish helped them withstand a tumble from off my second-story porch no problem haha!"
Verified buyer · Starter Kit
How to paint roller skates, step by step
Strip them down
Pull the laces, then take off the wheels and toe stops if you have a skate tool. Everything you remove is something you don't have to tape. Keep the small parts in a labeled bag.
Clean the boots
Wipe the boots with Angelus Easy Cleaner on a soft cloth to lift rink dust, sweat, and scuff marks. Get into the seams around the toe and heel, then let the boots dry fully.
Tape off the soles and eyelets
Run Red Vinyl Tape along the edge where the boot meets the sole and plate, pressing it down firmly with a fingernail. Cover the eyelets and any hooks, and stuff the boots with paper so they hold their shape.
Customer story
"I wish I had waited until this arrived to start painting because the regular masking tape leaks... Did great around the top of my skates, no leaks!!" Holly M. · Verified buyer · Red Vinyl Tape
Deglaze until the shine is gone
Wet a cotton pad with Leather Preparer and Deglazer and work it over every part you'll paint, one panel at a time. Keep going until the boot looks evenly dull with no shiny patches, then let it dry. On white skates you may see a little color come off on the pad, which is normal.
Customer story
"I was generous rubbing each side with the deglaze leather preparer solution, (not drippy but saturated) and the paint was a dream." Verified buyer · Gift Box Blue Paint
Paint in thin coats
Brush on a thin coat of Angelus Paint and let it dry 15 to 30 minutes before the next. Two to four thin coats gives full color. Keep the paint especially thin over the ankle and toe creases, where the boot bends most. To go light over dark boots, start with a coat or two of Angelus White Paint.
Pro tip
Made a mistake? Wipe the wet paint off with a little Deglazer on a cotton swab, let it dry, and paint that spot again.
Customer story
"Bought some used leather skates for my daughter that had the white paint falling off like snow. Came across this paint and said why not. It turned out excellent!" Jeannie H. · Verified buyer · Blue Turquoise Paint
Seal it and let it cure
Brush two or three thin coats of Acrylic Finisher over the dry paint, with an extra coat on the toes and heels. Choose matte, satin, or gloss for the look you want. Wait 24 to 48 hours before you lace up and skate, so the finish hardens fully.
You can stop here
Put the wheels back on, lace up, and roll. Tag @angelusdirect with #AngelusDirect so we can see your skates. Want more? Glitter, suede, and touch-ups are below.
Adding glitter or shimmer
Angelus Glitterlites go on over a dry base coat of regular paint in a similar color. They take a few coats to build up, so be patient and let each one dry. Seal them with finisher so the glitter stays put while you skate. Our Glitterlites do's and don'ts covers the details.
Customer story
"I used the pearlites in Prince purple for a base color on my roller skates, then went over that with the Glitterlites in Princess Purple. I had to paint about 3-4 coats of each color but my skates look amazing and never fail to gain compliments." Heather E. · Verified buyer · Glitterlites Kit
Dyeing or painting suede roller skates
To change the color and keep suede soft, use Angelus Suede Dye. It soaks into the nap instead of sitting on top. Brush the nap up with the Nubuck & Suede Kit, tape off the soles, and work the dye in evenly with the applicator. A fine brush from the Angelus Paint Brush Set helps around eyelets and hooks. Two or three coats is typical. Once dry, brush the nap again and protect the boots with Water & Stain Repellent.
Customer story
"After 3yrs and at least 300+ miles I wanted to give my roller skates a fresh color.I picked the dark purple, and I am blown away at how vibrant the color is!I did 3 coats but could have stopped at 2." Verified buyer · Purple Suede Dye
We usually don't suggest painting suede. Paint flattens the nap, so the painted areas lose their softness and feel smooth and a little rubbery, like a screen print. If you don't mind that, paint works well for artwork on suede skates. Brush the nap up, keep your coats thin, and paint as you would on leather, skipping the Deglazer.
Touching up scuffed toes and heels
You don't need to repaint a whole pair for scuffs. Clean the spot, deglaze just that area, and dab on thin layers of the same color with a fine brush, feathering the edges. Reseal it with finisher. Keep a little of your mixed color in a sealed container so touch-ups match.
When to use something else
| If your skates are | What we'd use |
|---|---|
| Suede or nubuck | Angelus Suede Dye to recolor and keep the nap soft. Paint works for artwork if you're fine with a smooth, screen-print feel. See suede skates. |
| Faux leather or vinyl | Skip Deglazer. Scuff lightly with fine sandpaper, apply a general adhesion promoter, then paint and seal as above. |
| Fabric or canvas | Angelus Paint mixed with 2-Soft so the fabric stays soft. |
| Ice skates or hockey boots | The same leather steps work. Deglaze, paint thin, and seal well, since they see a lot of moisture. |
| A skateboard deck, not boots | See how to paint a skateboard deck. |
Mistakes that ruin painted skates
- Washing the boots with dish soap or detergent first. They leave a film behind that paint won't stick to. Easy Cleaner rinses clean.
- Wiping them down with rubbing alcohol in place of Deglazer. It dries the leather out and strips unevenly, so the paint goes on blotchy.
- Skipping Deglazer. Paint sitting on the factory finish flakes off at the toes after a session or two.
- Painting the rubber. Toe stops, wheels, and rubber soles flex too much for paint to hold.
- Thick coats over the ankle crease. They crack the first time you bend your knees.
- Skating the same day. Give the finisher 24 to 48 hours to harden.
Related guides: How to paint any leather · Glitterlites do's and don'ts · Mix custom colors · Clean suede · Paint a skateboard deck · Clean and care for leather shoes
Painting roller skates FAQ
What paint should I use on roller skates?
We'd use Angelus Paint on leather and faux leather boots. It's flexible enough to bend with the boot, and it seals with Acrylic Finisher. For suede boots, Angelus Suede Dye keeps the nap soft.
Do I need to sand roller skates before painting?
Usually not on leather. Deglazer removes the factory finish for you. Faux leather and vinyl boots do need a light scuff with fine sandpaper, plus a general adhesion promoter.
How do I keep paint from cracking on my skates?
Keep every coat thin, especially over the ankle and toe creases, and seal with Acrylic Finisher. Thick paint cracks where the boot bends.
Can you paint suede roller skates?
You can, but we usually don't suggest it. Paint flattens the nap and leaves a smooth, rubbery, screen-print feel. To keep suede soft, recolor it with Angelus Suede Dye. If you don't mind losing the nap, paint works well for artwork.
How long does paint last on roller skates?
With good prep and finisher, a painted pair handles regular sessions well. Toes and heels wear first, and you can touch them up anytime.
How long should painted skates dry before skating?
Wait 24 to 48 hours after your last coat of finisher. It can feel dry in an hour, but it needs the full cure to stand up to falls and stops.
Can I paint the wheels or toe stops?
No. They're rubber or urethane and flex too much for paint to stay on. Take them off or tape them before you start.
