The biggest do’s and don’ts of Angelus Paint come down to matching your prep and additive to the material. On leather, strip the factory finish with Deglazer and use the paint on its own. On canvas and mesh, mix paint 1:1 with 2-Soft and heat set at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. On hard plastic, metal, and glass, mix 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint, and never use it on shoes. Paint thin coats, don’t skimp on the number of coats, and seal with Acrylic Finisher.
We’ve made paint in Los Angeles since 1907. This guide combines both parts of our most popular YouTube series, with tips from artist @sophiesophss and our studio team. Watch Part 1 and Part 2 on YouTube.
Quick answer: the rules that matter most
- Do deglaze leather until it looks dull.
- Do use 2-Soft on fabric and heat set it.
- Don’t use 2-Hard on shoes or anything that bends.
- Don’t paint rubber soles you walk on. Dye them.
- Do build several thin coats, then seal.
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Leather prep
Preparer & Deglazer
Strips the factory finish so paint and dye can bond. 4.8 stars from 1,000+ reviews.
ShopRigid surfaces
2-Hard
Helps paint grip hard plastic, metal, and glass. Not for anything that bends.
ShopReal reviews from Angelus customers
4.9 stars from 13,900+ reviews of Angelus Paint
★★★★★
"Highly recommend this product to anyone who is interested in customizing shoes. It really helps the paint stick better and last longer."
Mark F. · Verified buyer · Deglazer
★★★★★
"Used 2-Hard as I was applying to a plastic. It worked like a charm."
Bob B. · Verified buyer · 2-Hard
★★★★★
"Love the product! If you plan to use an airbrush gun, this product is an absolute must."
Brandon · Verified buyer · 2-Thin
Prep and Additives by Material
Use this as your cheat sheet. The additive changes what the paint can stick to, so using the wrong one is the most common reason a custom fails.
| You’re painting | Do | Don’t |
|---|---|---|
| Leather | Deglaze until dull, then use Angelus Paint on its own. | Add 2-Soft or 2-Hard. |
| Canvas, denim, mesh | Mix paint 1:1 with 2-Soft, then heat set at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. | Skip the heat set. It’s what activates 2-Soft. |
| Hard plastic, metal, glass | Lightly sand, wipe clean, and mix 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint. | Use 2-Hard on shoes or anything that flexes. It dries hard and cracks. |
| Rubber soles you walk on | Dye them with Sole Bright mixed 50/50 with Angelus Leather Dye. | Paint them. Rubber wears away like a tire and takes the paint with it. |
| Already-painted leather | Strip the old paint and finish with Deglazer back to raw leather. | Paint straight over old paint. |
| Dark leather, light color | Lay a white base coat first. | Expect a light color to cover black on its own. |
| Additive | Ratio | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Soft | 1:1 with paint | Fabric and mesh. Heat set at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. |
| 2-Hard | 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint | Rigid surfaces only. Never shoes. |
| 2-Thin | 1 part 2-Thin to 4 parts paint | Airbrushing, with a 0.35mm nozzle or larger. |
| Duller | No more than 5 to 8% of the mix | A flat or matte finish in any color. |
How to Make an Angelus Paint Job Last, Step by Step
Prep for Your Material
On leather, rub Deglazer on with a cotton pad in 3 to 5 passes until the shine is gone. Repainting a custom? Strip as much of the old paint and finish as you can, back to raw leather, so the new paint bonds to the leather instead of old paint.
Tape Off Clean Lines
For panels like a Swoosh, tape over the whole thing, press the tape into the edge with your fingernail, then trim the extra with a Detail Knife. It’s faster than laying tape exactly along the edge.
Mix the Right Additive
Check the table above. Leather takes paint straight. Fabric takes 2-Soft 1:1. Rigid items take 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint. Too much of an additive can make paint less durable or flexible, so measure.
Use the Right Brush
Cover big areas with a larger flat brush, switch to smaller brushes for line work, and save the tiniest detail brushes for the smallest details. One brush for everything makes everything harder.
Build Thin Coats
Most colors cover in 3 to 5 thin coats. Don’t stop early on wearable customs, even with an opaque color like black. Large areas need enough coats to be strong. Line work and small details are the exception.
Heat Set Fabric
If you used 2-Soft, let the paint dry, then go over it with a heat gun at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Leather and rigid items don’t need this step.
Seal With Acrylic Finisher
Once the paint is fully dry, brush on thin coats of Acrylic Finisher. It helps protect the paint from minor scratches and sets the sheen, from matte to high gloss.
Airbrushing Do’s and Don’ts
Do thin your paint. Mix 1 part 2-Thin to 4 parts paint and spray through a 0.35mm nozzle or larger. Older paint that has thickened needs it most.
Do strain it. Pour the mix through a reusable paint strainer to catch dried bits before they clog the airbrush. Thinned paint strains much faster.
Don’t skip cleaning. Run Angelus Brush Cleaner through the airbrush after every use. Every few uses, take it apart and deep clean it with the Airbrush Cleaning Set.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Deglazer on leather. Paint can’t grip the factory finish and will peel.
- Using 2-Hard on shoes. It dries rigid and cracks when the shoe bends.
- Painting walking soles. Use Sole Bright and dye instead.
- Too few coats. Thin coverage is weak coverage on wearable customs.
- Too much Duller. Keep it to 5 to 8% of the mix.
- Forgetting to heat set 2-Soft. It doesn’t activate without heat.
Related guides: Paint leather shoes · Paint canvas shoes · Can you paint shoe soles? · Remove paint from leather
Angelus Paint Do’s and Don’ts FAQ
Do I need to deglaze before using Angelus Paint?
On leather, yes. Deglazer removes the factory finish so the paint can grip. Canvas and mesh don’t have a factory finish, so just clean them.
What’s the 2-Hard to paint ratio?
3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint, on rigid surfaces like hard plastic, metal, and glass only. Don’t use it on shoes.
What’s the 2-Soft to paint ratio?
1:1. Heat set at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes once the paint is dry.
How many coats of Angelus Paint do I need?
Most colors cover in 3 to 5 thin coats. Don’t stop early on wearable customs, since full coats hold up better.
Can I paint over old paint?
Strip as much old paint and finish as you can with Deglazer first, so the new paint bonds to the leather.
Do I need to thin Angelus Paint to airbrush?
Mix 1 part 2-Thin to 4 parts paint and use a 0.35mm nozzle or larger.
Can I paint rubber soles?
Not soles you’ll walk on. Rubber wears away and takes paint with it. Dye them with Sole Bright mixed 50/50 with Angelus Leather Dye.
