News — Accessories

In order to continue creating amazing customs, it's important to continue learning new techniques and ways to create unique designs. To help you do this, we have a large collection of tutorials over on our YouTube channel -- each offering new tips, tricks, and techniques for painting customs.

For this week's tutorial, Austin (also known as @jarcustoms) was nice enough to stop by the studio to teach you how to create a custom pair of boxing gloves. Customizing a pair of boxing gloves has been on our list for a while now so we're super excited to have final knock these out.

Keep reading to see how you can create these The Simpsons-inspired boxing gloves for yourself.

Just like customizing a pair of sneakers, you're going to want to start by preparing the leather on your boxing gloves. Otherwise, the paint will not adhere effectively to the surface. Prepping it will help avoid chipping and peeling after you're done.

To prep the gloves, use a cotton pad to apply an even layer of Leather Preparer and Deglazer to any area that you plan to paint.

After applying the Leather Preparer and Deglazer, you can use masking tape to tape off the bottom section of the gloves.

By using masking tape and paper towels to separate the bottom and the top of the gloves, you can prevent paint from dripping down into unwanted areas.

Once the gloves are prepared, it's time to start painting.

For this project, Austin started by using an airbrush with a mixture of paint and 2-Thin to paint over the wrist section. Since the wrist section is black, start with a layer of gray paint, then light gray, before finally moving on to white. This will make sure the base is completely covered.

Apply two to three coats of each color, and let each layer completely dry before applying another.

Next, Austin used a mixture of light blue, white, blue, and 2-Thin to create a sky blue base for the wrist section.

Again, be sure to apply multiple light coats and allow each coat to completely dry before applying another.

Next, it's time to move on from the airbrush and start painting your design.

For this project, Austin painted the wrist section to mimic the classing The Simpsons opening sequence. He also used a custom Everlast stencil to finish off the section.

Of course, if you want to paint a different design, you don't have to stick with the same theme.

*Note: For that classic The Simpsons yellow, use a 60/40 mixture of yellow and maize paint.

Now, it's time to transfer your design to the top portion of the glove. To do this, Austin made custom stencils to easily transfer his sketch over to the gloves.

To make a quick custom stencil, place masking tape over a section of your sketch, use a pencil to sketch the outline of your design, then use a detail knife to cut out the stencil.

To use the stencil, simply tape it on to the glove, and use your airbrush to fill it in with a flat white base coat.

Then, use a brush to fill in all of the finer details in the stencil. You can repeat this step as many times as necessary to complete the rest of your design.

Lastly, once you've finished painting your design, use an airbrush to apply a final layer of Matte Acrylic Finisher.

This acrylic finisher will act as a clear protective top coat to protect the gloves from minor scuffs and scratches.

Once the finisher dries, your gloves are done and ready to go.

For a more detailed walkthrough on how to create these custom boxing gloves, make sure to check out the full tutorial on our YouTube channel.

Don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram, and make sure to check out our online store to grab the products you need for your next project.

Angelus paints can be used for a lot more than customizing a pair of sneakers. From clothes to furniture to accessories, you can customize nearly anything with the right tools.

To show you how flexible our paints and other products can be, Andrea (@10andrea26) stopped by the Angelus studio to show you how to create a custom Super Mario Nintendo Switch case.

Keep reading for a quick walkthrough, and make sure to check out the full tutorial on our YouTube channel for more detailed instructions.

Since Nintendo Switch cases are made of a soft, mesh-like material, you're going to need to mix your paint of choice with Angelus 2-Soft before applying your base coat. Mix 2-Soft with your paint at a 1:1 ratio for best results. For this project, Andrea used Cream for the base coat.

Apply several coats to make sure the case is evenly covered, then use a heat gun at 300º F for 3-5 minutes to set the base coat.

After the 2-Soft mixture is set, go ahead and apply a new layer of Flat White paint. For this coat, you don't need any 2-Soft as the base coat will serve as a good foundation for the rest of your paint.

Next, before you start painting, it's always a good idea to sketch out your design on the case using a pen or sketching pencils.

Free-hand painting is, of course, always an option, but it's more difficult to correct mistakes once the paint is already on the case.

Next, it's time to start painting your design. For this project, Andrea decided to do a Super Mario-themed custom, but you can paint any design you want.

If you want to try to replicate this design, you'll need to pick up some Green, Light Green, Turquoise, Grey, Red, Yellow, and Blue paint (you can grab a 12 color assortment kit to get all the colors you need for this project).

To add the outline to your design, combine Flat Black paint with Angelus 2-Thin in a 1:1 ratio and pour the mixture into a paint marker. 2-Thin will help the paint flow seamlessly through the marker so that there aren't any breaks in your outline.

Once your mixture is ready to go, you can use the paint marker to add all of the finer details to your design.

Lastly, apply a layer of our High Gloss Acrylic Finisher to give the case a nice, clean, glossy finish. After the finisher sets, your custom case is finished and ready to take on the road.

Once again, make sure to check out the full tutorial on our YouTube channel for a more detailed walkthrough and check out Andrea's Instagram to see more of her great custom projects.

And don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram and check out our online store to grab the materials you need to create your next project.

Nothing ruins a pair of shoes more than yellow soles. While most people might consider yellowed shoes to be ruined, it's a lot easier than you might think to restore your worn-out kicks.

Let's take a look at how you can restore your yellowed shoes with just a few products.

Why Shoes Turn Yellow

There are a few reasons your white shoes and soles might turn yellow over time, but the main reason is oxidation. In some cases, though, it might be because of something simple like dirt or because you aren't cleaning them correctly.

If your kicks are yellow or are starting to turn, just follow the steps below to restore them to factory condition.

How to Restore Yellowed Shoes

Ready to get started?

Follow these simple steps to get your shoes back to like-new condition.

Grab Your Supplies

Not all cleaning supplies are safe to use on certain shoes and materials. The wrong tools can make your kicks look even worse, or at least won't be effective in restoring your shoes.

If you want to easily and safely restore your shoes, try using the following products:

• Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit
• Angelus Sole Bright
• Angelus Mink Oil

Once you grab these materials, it's time to get started on the restoration.

Clean the Shoes

This Easy Cleaner Kit has everything you need to clean your shoes and prep them for painting or restoration.

To use it, pour some of the Easy Cleaner into a bowl, dip your brush into the cleaning solution, and scrub your shoes to get rid of any dirt and grim. Afterward, use the microfiber towel to wipe the surface clean.

De-Yellow the Soles

Next, it's time to get rid of that yellow tint. Sole Bright works to remove oxidation and restore yellowed soles and midsoles. Sole Bright is safe for all soles including Glow in the Dark and will not hinder glow properties. 

Start by using a brush to apply a light to medium coat of Sole Bright to the oxidized parts of your shoes. Be careful not to let the product get onto unwanted areas. Also, avoid contact with non-rubber materials.

Then, cover the shoes in clear wrap and leave them in the sun for one to six hours (one hour for midsoles, four to six for clear/icy soles). After you remove the clear wrap, you can use a toothbrush and warm water to remove any excess Sole Bright.

Keep in mind, multiple sessions might be necessary to c=completely get rid of any oxidation.

Apply Mink Oil

Mink Oil is a water-proofer and conditioner and can also help protect against stains.

To use it, simply apply a thin layer to the shoe with a few quick sprays. Then, use a clean and dry rag to pat down the shoe. This will help protect your shoe from yellowing once the restoration is complete.

Make sure to check out this tutorial on our YouTube channel for a more detailed walkthrough on how to restore yellowed soles.

Also, don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram and check out our website to pick up the materials you need for your next custom or resto project.

It's one thing to simply give your kicks a new colorway, but if you want to make your customs really stand out, you might want to try your hand at painting some more detailed and intricate designs.

Of course, painting detailed designs is a little more difficult than color-blocking. So, if you want to try creating some more complex customs, check out these tips for painting detailed designs.

Choose High-Quality Paint

Customizing a pair of sneakers takes a lot of time and effort, but it's only worth it  if your design doesn't fade the second you wear them out of the house. If you want your customs to look professional, you need to start by picking up some high-quality paint.

High-quality paint will create a smooth factory finish without cracking, chipping, or easily fading.

Use the Right Brushes

Good tools always make a big difference. If you want to create a pair of incredible custom kicks, don't use dollar store brushes.

High-quality detail paint brushes will help you paint intricate designs without leaving streak marks and jagged edges.

Start With an Outline

Precision is key to creating professional intricate designs, and it's hard to be precise when painting by free hand.

To make it easier to paint your design, use masking tape and a drawing pencil to create a detailed outline. After you outline your design, it's easy to paint over it to create a clean final product.

Use Stencils

Outlines are great for planning your design, but stencils are perfect for specific shapes and lettering -- especially if your design has repeating shapes. Stencils are also great for airbrush projects.

You can buy pre-made stencils or cut your own using a detail knife. Then, you can use them to paint some of the finer details in your design.

Protect Your Customs

Once your customs are finished, you need to keep them in top condition. Otherwise, the paint can start to fade and crease over time.

If you want to learn how to protect your customs from damage, make sure to check out this post for some essential products and tips for cleaning to protecting your sneakers.

Don't forget to check out our Instagram to get some design inspiration, and check out our website to grab the materials you need to for your next custom project.

The holidays are coming up fast, so if you haven't already bought gifts, it's time to stop procrastinating.

If you're not sure what to buy, we've got you covered. We offer a bunch of great gifts  under $35 for the artists in your life.

Check out this list for some great, affordable holiday gift ideas.

If you know someone new to customizing and restoring sneakers, the Angelus Starter Kit is a perfect holiday gift.

This kit includes three paints, acrylic finisher, Easy Cleaner, Leather Preparer and Deglazer, a cleaning brush, and a paintbrush set -- everything you need to get started on your first pair of customs.

If you don't need to pick up all of the essentials, the 12 Color Assortment Kit is the perfect alternative to the starter kit.

You can choose 12 colors of your choice to put in your kit, which is enough to create a variety of different combinations. Whether you're customizing your Jordans or working on a restoration, our 12 Color Assortment Kit is your best choice.

The Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit provides all the products you need for basic shoe cleaning and care.

This kit includes one bottle of Easy Cleaner, a cleaning brush, and a premium microfiber towel. Perfect for anyone looking to keep their shoes nice and clean.

Wagner’s Furno 300 is a basic heat tool designed to apply focused heat for custom projects and is an essential tool in every artist's toolbox.

Be it for speeding up drying times or setting some Angelus 2-Soft, a heat gun is an incredibly useful tool for creating customs.

Last but not least, it's hard to go wrong with a gift card. Angelus gift cards are available for $10, $20, $50, and $100.

If you're not sure what to get, grab a gift card and let your friend decide what they need.

Hopefully, this list gave you a few good ideas for affordable holiday gifts.

If you want to take a look at some other gift ideas, check out our online store for more gifts under $35. And don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram to see how you can use these gifts to create some amazing pairs of customs.