News — Artists

We get a lot of questions about what types of products and materials can be used on.

The good news is that, if you're interested in customizing something besides a pair of sneakers, Angelus paints can be used on most common materials -- you just might have to take a couple of extra steps.

For this tutorial, Enzo from @ehkcustoms walks us through how to Angelus paint and 2-Hard to customize a stainless steel Hydro Flask.

Take a look below to see what materials you need to get started, and make sure to watch the full video on our YouTube channel for a detailed walkthrough.

Materials

Before getting started, you'll need to grab  a few things, including:

• Angelus Paint
• Angelus 2-Hard
• Angelus High Gloss Acrylic Finisher
• Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer
• Angelus Paint Brush Set

You can find all of these materials on our website if you don't already have them. For this project, 2-Hard is particularly important as it's what allows the paint to successfully adhere to the stainless steel.

How to Customize a Hydro Flask

Like any other custom project, start by prepping the surface with Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer. This will the factory6 finish and create a clean surface for you to paint.

Simply apply some of the Leather Preparer and Deglazer to a cotton pad and wipe down the Hydro Flask.

Next, use masking tape to separate the areas that you don't want to paint. If you're painting a Hydro Flask, tape off the lid and leave it on to use as a handle while painting.

This is all the prep work that's necessary, but if you want to take things a step further, pick up some adhesion promoter from a hardware store to spray the bottle before painting.

When you're ready to paint, mix your paint with 2-Hard in a 50/50 ratio. This will help the paint adhere to the stainless steel without chipping or cracking. Without this, the paint will come right off of the bottle after drying.

Next, it's time to start painting your design. If you're not comfortable doing freehand, start by using a pencil to outline your design before painting.

Use a heat gun to set your paint before moving on to the next layer. (Note: allow the stainless steel to cool before touching to avoid burning yourself.)

Once your design is finished, apply a layer Angelus Acrylic Finisher to protect the paint from minor scratches and to add a glossy top coat to your custom Hydro Flask.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more tutorials, customs, and product updates.

While we all have a lot of extra free time on our hands, now might be a good time to practice some new tips and tricks that can help you take your customs to the next level.

Below are five great tips and tricks shared by some incredibly talented artists to help you learn how to make your own high-quality customs.

Tip #1: Use 2-Soft to Paint Canvas

Our first tip, from @sneakerqueenscustoms, is for those who aren't sure whether or not it's safe to use Angelus paints on soft fabrics like canvas or mesh.

Angelus 2-Soft is a fabric medium that you can mix with paint to ensure that your canvas shoes remain soft and flexible after you customize them. Without 2-Soft, the paint will cause the shoe to stiffen up, which can lead to chipping and cracking.

To use 2-Soft, mix it with Angelus Acrylic Paints in a 1:1 ratio, apply multiple layers, let the paint dry, and heat-set using a heat gun at 300º F for 3-5 minutes.

Tip #2: Prepare Cleats

For those interested in creating customs cleats, sponsored artist @truebluecustoms has a tip to help you prepare them correctly before you start painting.

Like any other shoe, start by using Leather Preparer and Deglazer to get rid of the shoe's factory finish. Then, use 400-grit sandpaper to completely rid the surface of any contaminants and synthetic materials.

Once done, you can tape up your cleats and start painting.

Tip #3: Deal With Overspray

(source: @parksart)

Next, @parksart shows us how to easily deal with unwanted paint using a detail knife.

If you notice overspray on your outsoles after airbrushing, use a detail knife to carefully scrape away the unwanted paint and create a clean line.

Detail knives can be used for several other purposes as well, such as cutting off stray bristles from a worn-out brush.

Tip #4: Watercolors

(source: @bre_yeahthatsme)

Another great way to paint canvas shoes is to use watercolors, as @bre_yeahthatsme shows us with this next customizing tip. This is particularly helpful if you don't have any 2-Soft at hand.

To get this effect, simply mix a small amount of Angelus paint with water until the mixture is fairly thin, then paint the shoe. After applying the first layer of paint, add more water to the mixture to make it thinner, and add another coat.

Repeat this until the shoe is covered and you get the desired watercolor effect.

Tip #5: Painting Fine Lines

(source: @dejesuscustomfootwear)

Detail brushes are great for painting fine details, but sometimes you need something even more precise.

For painting extremely fine lines and details, sponsored artist @dejesuscustomfootwear uses a toothpick (yes, a toothpick). Experiment with this tip yourself to see how you can use a toothpick to create detailed designs.

If you found these helpful, make sure to follow Angelus on Instagram for more tips and tricks, and if you have a tip or trick you want to share, please tag us and use #HomeWithAngelus for a possible feature.

With all of us stuck at home, we thought it'd be a good time to share some of the great customs our sponsored artists have been working on so that you can get some inspiration for your next quarantine project.

Check out the customs below, and make sure to visit our online store to grab the tools and materials you need to create your own unique pair of customs.

(source: @mache275⁠)

If you haven't seen the new Tiger King documentary on Netflix, you're missing out. Joe Exotic, the star of the doc, has become a cultural phenomenon over the past week, and what better way to join in on the fun than with a fresh pair of customs.

Sponsored artist @mache275 designed these custom AF1s, featuring a portrait of the man himself on top of a clean tiger print background.

If you want to see how these were made, make sure to check out the design video on the artist's YouTube channel.

(source: @sab_one)

We might not see basketball come back for a while, but that's no reason to give up that Mamba Mentality.

These custom Kobe 11s, created by sponsored artist @sab_one, feature the classic purple and gold Lakers colorway in dedication to the late Los Angeles legend.

(source: @solesbysir)

Hand sanitizer is a precious commodity these days, so these next customs are sure to have some serious resale demand.

Sponsored artist @solesbysir designed these Purell-themed Stan Smiths to keep his feet as clean as his hands while we're in quarantine.

(source: @tragik1993)

This next pair is certain to bring on some nostalgia.

Sponsored artists @tragik1993 threw it back to a childhood classic with these Toy Story-inspired custom Air Maxes.

Grab a 12 color assortment kit to see if you can recreate this clean Buzz Lightyear color scheme.

(source: @wallychamp15)

Last is another pair of Air Maxes designed just in time for Air Max day.

Sponsored artist @wallychamp15 designed the Air Max 90 "Warhawk," featuring a green and silver upper with the iconic Warhawk shark mouth design on the toe box.

If you liked these, make sure to follow us on Instagram for more great customs, and don't forget to wash your hands, stay inside, and stay safe.