News — Artists

Blog Menu

How to Customize a Skateboard Deck

Posted by Connor Beam on December 01, 2019

How to Customize a Skateboard

Angelus paints and dyes aren't just for sneakers. Clothes, furniture, accessories, and skateboards are just a few of the other things you can customize with Angelus paints.

Bryan from Swell Guy Customs (@swellguycustoms) stopped by the Angelus studio to show you how you can easily customize your own skateboard deck with just a few techniques and materials.

Follow along with this tutorial to see how a skateboard deck can be the perfect canvas to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Sanding

Before you getting started, you need to prep the deck by sanding it down a little bit.

Skateboard decks have light coatings which can make it difficult for the deck to absorb dyes and paints.

Start with 300-grit sandpaper, then work your way up to 800-girt, then 1,500-grit, and even higher if needed to create a smooth finish.

Sand along the grain back and forth to get even coverage all across the deck.

Leather Dye

Once you're done sanding, apply some Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer to clean the surface and remove the factory finish.

Next, we're going to use some leather dye to stain the deck. Leather dye is a great way to create clean gradient effects on wood products.

Apply the leather dye in a color of your choice to the deck using a rag and work the dye into the deck using a circular motion.

Take your time, apply a few different coats, and make sure to get even coverage.

To create the gradient effect, use a different color dye along the edges of the deck and blend it in with the original color.

After applying the leather dye, be sure to let it completely dry before you start painting.

Paint the Deck

Once the dye is dry, it's time to start painting your own original artwork on top of the background.

For this deck, Bryan painted a deep-sea diver to go along with the nautical theme, but, of course, you can customize yours however you want.

If you want to replicate Bryan's design, make sure to check out the full tutorial to see which colors you'll need to get started.

Acrilyic Finisher

After you finish painting, you're almost there. All that's left is to apply some Acrylic Finisher to add a little bit of extra protection to the deck.

Use a cotton swab to apply a couple of layers of the Acrylic Finish to the deck. This will help create an even finish and make sure your masterpiece lasts a little bit longer than it otherwise would.

Thanks to Bryan for stopping by and creating this tutorial. Again, make sure to check out the full video for a more detailed walkthrough, and go ahead and follow @swellguycustoms on Instagram

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

Need Ideas? Check Out These Great Customs

Posted by Connor Beam on November 16, 2019

Coming up with ideas for your next pair of customs isn't always easy.

If you need some inspiration for your next project, check out these amazing customs to get the ideas flowing.

Mighty Ducks Customs

(source: @wallychamp15)

It's knuckle puck time!

Sponsored artist @wallychamp15 designed these customs dedicated to the iconic Mighty Ducks.

If you're not sure what to do for your next pair of customs, try creating a pair dedicated to your favorite sports team, fictional or otherwise.

Bulls Custom Jordans

(source: @astrotorfcustoms)

If you're going to customize a pair of Jordans, it only makes sense to dedicate them to the man's team.

Sponsored artist @astrotorfcustoms customized these Jordans, featuring the Bulls logo on top of the classic red, white, and black color scheme.

Floral AF1

(source: @kendrascustoms)

Is there anything better than a clean floral design? The answer is no.

These black AF1s, designed by sponsored artist @kendrascustoms, feature a clean pink floral pattern on top of the classic Air Force silhouette.

Grab some pink paint to try your hand at this design.

Jordan 12 Galaxy

(source: @truebluecustoms)

This next pair of customs is truly out of this world (sorry).

Sponsored artist @truebluecustoms killed it with these Jordan "Galaxy" 12s, featuring a monochrome purple color scheme and an upper designed to look like outer space.

If you want to get started on your own similar pair of customs, start by grabbing a purple galaxy kit.

SpongeBob Kyrie 5

(source: @customicasso)

Need a little more help getting started on your next project? We've got you covered.

Miles Costales (@customicasso) stopped by the Angelus studio to create a new tutorial to show you how to create this pair of Larry the Lobster Kyrie 5s.

To see the materials and techniques used to create these customs, make sure to check out the full tutorial over on our YouTube channel.

Hopefully, these creative customs were enough to help you get some ideas for your next project.

Don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram for more customs like these, and make sure to check out our website to grab the materials you need for your next pair of customs.

How to Repair Scuffs & Scratches

Posted by Connor Beam on November 08, 2019

How to Repair Scuffs and Scratches | Jordan 1 Black Toe Restoration | Angelus Paint

No matter what precautions you take, your customs are bound to get some scuffs and scratches over time.

Fortunately, though, a few scratched aren't the end of the world. With a few useful products, you can restore your customs to like-new condition in no time.

Sal Aceves, AKA @Salthesneakerhead, stopped by the Angelus studio to show you how to easily repair scuffs and scratches, using an old pair of Jordan 1 "Black Toe" beaters as an example.

Keep reading to see how you can mend your damaged customs in just a few simple steps.

First thing's first, you're going to want to start off by getting those customs nice and clean.

Using the Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit, pour some Easy Cleaner into a bowl, dilute it with a little bit of water, and use a brush to gently scrub your shoes to get rid of any dirt. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dirt without damaging the shoe.

Repeat this process as many times as you need to ensure that the entire shoe is completely clean.

Before you start painting, you need to sand down the scuffs to create a smooth surface.

Start with 600-grit sandpaper before moving onto 800-grit. Then, use 3,000-grit sandpaper to finish things off and create a completely smooth finish. This way, the paint will stick to the surface and you won't be able to notice the scuffs through the paint.

Then, use some Leather Preparer and Deglazer to prepare the area before painting.

Now, it's time to start painting.

For this pair of 2016 "Black Toe" 1s, Sal used a mixture of about 60% Red, 10% White, and 30% Varsity Collector Edition.

Of course, if you're painting a different shoe, use a mixture that matches the color of your customs.

Once you get the mixture right, pour the paint into your airbrush to get started. If your paint is thick, use a little bit of 2-Thin as you see fit.

Using your airbrush, apply multiple thin coats of paint to your shoe, allowing each layer to completely dry before moving onto the next.

To fix the scuff, apply a little bit of extra paint over the affected area, and use 3,000-grit sandpaper to work the paint into the scuff.

After painting, use a Q-Tip to paint over any small scuffs or scratches on the rest of the shoe.

Small scratches don't need to be completely repainted, so this will save you some time and paint without sacrificing the quality of the final product.

Next, you can apply some Lustre Cream to help bring out the original color of the shoe. Apply with a microfiber cloth and wipe away any excess with a brush.

Use Neutral Lustre Cream for lighter colors and Black Lustre Cream for any black sections of the shoes.

This will help you avoid having to repaint sections that aren't damaged.

To restore the quality of your soles, use a brush to apply Sole Bright along the sole. Sole Bright gets rid of any yellow tint that has developed over time.

This product can cause damage to and dry out the leather, so be sure to tape off the upper before applying the Sole Bright.

After applying, wrap your shoes in some saran wrap and set them out in the sun for best results.

Lastly, Sal used a mixture of Matte Finisher and Duller to protect the paint from scratches and to give the shoes a finished look.

Simply use a brush to apply a layer of the finisher and use a heat gun to set it.

That's all there is to it! By following these steps, you can have your customs looking new in no time.

For a more detailed walkthrough, make sure to check out Sal's full tutorial on our YouTube channel, and don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram to see more customs and tutorials like this one.

Custom Halloween Kicks

Posted by Connor Beam on October 20, 2019

Halloween is right around the corner, so it's time to start getting your costumes ready. Whatever you're planning to dress up as, every costume can be bumped up a notch with a pair of custom Halloween kicks.

If you need some inspiration for your Halloween costume, check out these customs to get the ideas flowing.

(source: @ dejesuscustomfootwear)

Child's Play is an all-time horror classic, making it the perfect choice for your Halloween customs.

These Child's Play-themed Air Force 1s, created by sponsored artist @dejesuscustomfootwear, are the perfect pair of gruesome customs to rock at the Halloween party.

(source: @ danielcordas)

Who's your favorite Joker? Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger are hard to beat, but Joaquin Phoenix killed it in the newest addition to the DC universe.

In any case, you can't deny that these custom Joker Jordan 1s are the perfect Halloween customs. Sponsored artist @danielcordas nailed this depiction of Phoenix's Joker.

(source: @bbizon)

It's not easy to choose from the many iconic horror movie characters, so why not pay tribute to all of them?

That's what sponsored artist @bbizon did with these custom Yeezys. From Jason and Freddy to Michael Myers and Pennywise, these Yeezys feature some of the most famous Halloween characters of all time.

(source: @ lucha_loafers)

Sponsored artist @lucha_loafers designed these Halloween Collection custom Vans, showcasing a few of the most iconic characters the horror genre has produced over the years.

Want to try making your own? Pick up a 12 Color Assortment Kit to paint some of your favorite Halloween villains.

(source: @ astrotorfcustoms)

Jack-o-Lanterns, bats, zombies, etc... These custom Vans by @astrotorfcustoms take things back to basics by showcasing some Halloween staples.

You can get started on your own by picking up some black and orange paint along with some orange laces to tie things together.

Remember to follow Angelus on Instagram for more customs like these, and don't forget to check out our online store to grab some materials for your next project.

How to Paint a Denim Jacket in 5 Steps

Posted by Connor Beam on October 11, 2019

Most of you are probably using our products to pain custom sneakers, but there's a whole lot more you can do with Angelus paints.

To show you how you can use Angelus paints to create customs from other materials, Jamil Austin (@ill__customz) stopped by the studio to demonstrate how to paint a denim jacket in 5 easy steps.

Keep reading to see how you can create your own custom jacket, and make sure to check out the full tutorial on our YouTube channel.

Step 1: Prep & Clean

Prep and clean

Just like customizing a pair of shoes, you want to start off by prepping and cleaning the surface of your denim jacket.

Grab a cleaning brush to wipe off any dirt and debris. You can also use masking tape to pull off debris that doesn't come off with the brush.

This step will help make sure the paint can adhere to the surface of the jacket.

Step 2: 2-Soft

2-Soft

Next, mix some flat white paint with Angelus 2-Soft for the base coat. You can do a rough sketch of your design with a pencil to use as a stencil for the base coat.

We recommend using a 1:1 ratio of 2-Soft and paint for fabric materials like denim. This will help your paint adhere to the denim without making it stiff.

After putting down the base coat, heat-set using a heat gun at 300 degrees for three to five minutes.

Step 3: Sketch

Sketch

After heat-setting the base coat, use a pencil to sketch the rest of your design. This step will help you avoid mistakes when painting, which are harder to correct.

Step 4: Paint

Once you're happy with your sketch, it's time to start painting your custom jacket -- just like you would for a pair of custom sneakers.

Make sure to only apply paint on top of the 2-Soft base coat in order to avoid making the fabric stiff and rigid. (Note: 2-Soft isn't necessary for small detail work.)

Step 5: Protective Coating

Protective Coating

After you finish painting, all that's left is to add a protective coating to help make sure your design lasts.

Grab a can of Water & Stain Repellent and apply an even coat over any areas that you painted.

Rick & Morty Jacket

That's all there is to it. By following these steps, you can use your custom talents to create custom clothing and accessories.

If you want to follow along with @ill__customz to see how he made this Rick & Morty design, be sure to check out the full tutorial over on YouTube. And don't forget to follow Angelus on Instagram to see more custom projects like this.