Learn with Angelus

How-To Videos: Paint, Dye and Clean Your Shoes

Learn how to paint, dye, clean and restore shoes with 38 free videos from Angelus. Tap any video to watch it right here, then add the gear for that project to your cart.

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Deglaze until the leather looks dull, brush on thin coats, then seal it. These are the do's and don'ts that make paint last.

How do I paint leather and shoes with Angelus Paint?

Start with prep, thin coats and the right finisher. These videos cover the basics.

  • We put painted shoes through a real durability test so you can see how it holds up.

    Gear: High Gloss 4-CoatAcrylic Finisher12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

  • 4-Coat is our scratch-resistant clear coat. Brush it over dry paint to protect your work in the sheen you want.

    Gear: High Gloss 4-CoatSatin 4-CoatMatte 4-Coat

  • Sponsored artist Bryan Phillips answers the questions we get asked the most.

    Gear: Paint & Prep Starter KitPaint Brush SetLeather Preparer and Deglazer

  • Make your kicks pop with Angelus Neon Paint.

    Gear: Neon Color KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerAcrylic Finisher

  • Thin your paint with 2-Thin first, then learn the airbrush basics from setup to cleanup.

    Gear: 2-Thin Paint Thinnerx Grex XGi5 AirbrushAirbrush Cleaning Set

  • Pick your sheen with Acrylic Finisher or 4-Coat. For an even flatter look, add Angelus Duller to Matte Acrylic Finisher.

    Gear: Acrylic FinisherDullerHigh Gloss 4-Coat

How do I clean and restore my sneakers?

Deep clean, fix scuffs, bring back yellowed soles and reglue what's coming apart.

  • Our most-asked cleaning question, answered by the Angelus team.

    Gear: Easy Cleaner KitPremium Sneaker Cleaning BrushFoam-Tex Cleaning Kit

  • Bring yellowed soles back with Angelus Sole Bright and the Easy Cleaner Kit.

    Gear: Sole BrightEasy Cleaner Kit

  • Touch up scuffs with Angelus Paint, shown on a Jordan 1 Black Toe restoration.

    Gear: Leather Preparer and DeglazerBlack PaintWhite Paint

  • The brushes we reach for to clean every part of a sneaker.

    Gear: Premium Sneaker Cleaning BrushDetail Cleaning Brush SetEasy Cleaner Kit

  • Foam-Tex is a pump-action foam cleaner made for quick cleaning wherever you are.

    Gear: Foam-Tex Cleaning KitFoam-Tex Gentle Foaming Cleaner

  • Reattach a separating sole, shown on an Air Jordan 4 Tour Yellow restoration.

    Gear: Clear Shoe CementEasy Cleaner Kit

  • Smooth out a creased toe box so your pair looks fresh again.

How do I dye leather and suede?

Change the color of suede boots, tint soles and dye leather, wood and more.

  • Dye suede Timberlands a whole new color with Angelus Suede Dye.

    Gear: 12 Color Suede Dye Assortment KitNubuck & Suede KitWater & Stain Repellent Pump

  • Detail a pair of suede Timbs with fine lines of Angelus Suede Dye.

    Gear: 12 Color Suede Dye Assortment KitDye Pen ApplicatorsNubuck & Suede Kit

  • Don't paint soles you walk on. Mix Angelus Leather Dye 50/50 with Sole Bright to tint them instead.

    Gear: Sole Bright12 Color Leather Dye Assortment Kit

  • Jake Polino shows how to get a marbled dye effect on a pair of shoes.

    Gear: 12 Color Leather Dye Assortment KitLeather Preparer and Deglazer

  • Yes. Watch a SpongeBob guitar get dyed and painted, start to finish.

    Gear: 12 Color Leather Dye Assortment Kit12 Color Paint Assortment KitAcrylic Finisher

  • Angelus Paint and Leather Dye on a skate deck, step by step.

    Gear: 12 Color Leather Dye Assortment Kit12 Color Paint Assortment Kit

  • Bryan (@swellguycustoms) dyes and carves a pumpkin for Halloween.

    Gear: 12 Color Leather Dye Assortment KitDetail Knife + 5 Replacement Blades

How do I custom paint sneakers?

Full custom builds on Air Force 1s, Jordans, Vans and more, start to finish.

  • Artist Sophie Sophs paints an earth-tone AF1 custom from start to finish.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerAcrylic Finisher

  • Mix Angelus Paint 1:1 with 2-Soft, then heat set it so the canvas stays soft.

    Gear: 2-Soft Fabric MediumRed Masking TapePaint Brush Set

  • A Jordan 11 Platinum Tint custom with Angelus Paint and paint pens.

    Gear: Empty Paint Marker SetMicro Detail Paint Brush SetLeather Preparer and Deglazer

  • Space Jam LeBrons for a kid, painted with Angelus Paint.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitMicro Detail Paint Brush SetRed Masking Tape

  • Mix your own pastel shades with Angelus Paint for a springtime custom.

    Gear: Pastel Daydream Paint KitWhite PaintPaint Brush Set

  • A SpongeBob Larry the Lobster Kyrie 5, painted with Angelus Paint.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerMicro Detail Paint Brush Set

  • Blend colors into a smooth rainbow fade on a pair of Nikes, step by step.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerPaint Brush Set

  • An advanced, step-by-step Air Force 1 custom tutorial.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerMicro Detail Paint Brush Set

  • Yes. Watch a Jordan 11 patent leather custom, start to finish.

    Gear: Leather Preparer and Deglazer12 Color Paint Assortment KitHigh Gloss 4-Coat

  • Turn a plain pair of slides into a custom with Angelus Paint.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitLeather Preparer and DeglazerAcrylic Finisher

  • Splatter Angelus Paint for a speckled look, shown on a pair of Air Max 270s.

    Gear: 12 Color Paint Assortment KitRed Masking TapeAcrylic Finisher

What else can I paint with Angelus?

Leather bags and jackets, denim, hats, metal and plastic, with the right additive for each.

  • Yes. Deglaze, paint in thin coats and seal it, shown on a custom LV crossbody.

    Gear: Leather Preparer and DeglazerMicro Detail Paint Brush SetAcrylic Finisher

  • Prep the leather, then paint your design with Angelus Paint, start to finish.

    Gear: Leather Preparer and DeglazerJumbo Paint Brush SetAcrylic Finisher

  • Yes. Mix it 1:1 with 2-Soft, paint the denim and heat set it once it's dry.

    Gear: 2-Soft Fabric MediumPaint Brush SetWhite Paint

  • Create a chrome and lightning effect on a hat with Angelus Paint.

    Gear: 2-Soft Fabric MediumPearlescent and Metallic Paint KitPaint Brush Set

  • Yes. Lightly sand it, then mix 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint for hard surfaces like stainless steel.

    Gear: 2-Hard Film HardenerRed Masking TapePaint Brush Set

  • Yes. Lightly sand hard plastic, then mix 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint.

    Gear: 2-Hard Film HardenerMicro Detail Paint Brush SetRed Masking Tape

Quick answers before you start

Can you paint leather shoes with Angelus Paint?

Yes. Wipe the leather with Leather Preparer & Deglazer until it looks dull, brush on thin coats and let each one dry 15 to 30 minutes. Let it dry at least 24 hours, then seal it.

How many coats of Angelus Paint do I need?

Plan on 4 to 5 thin coats for shoes and anything you'll wear. Line work and small details need fewer.

Should I use 4-Coat or Acrylic Finisher?

Use 4-Coat when you want scratch resistance, and Acrylic Finisher when you mainly want to set the sheen. Finish all your painting first, because paint won't stick to 4-Coat once it cures.

Can I paint canvas shoes or jeans?

Yes. Angelus Paint works on canvas on its own. For a softer feel, mix it 1:1 with 2-Soft and heat set it at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes.

Can I paint the soles of my shoes?

Don't paint rubber soles you walk on. Mix Angelus Leather Dye 50/50 with Sole Bright and dye them instead.

Can Angelus Paint go on plastic or metal?

Yes. Lightly sand, wipe it clean and mix 3 parts 2-Hard to 1 part paint. Don't use 2-Hard on shoes or anything that bends.

Is Angelus Paint waterproof?

Yes, once it's dry.

Ready for your first project?

Pick your colors and save on the set, or grab everything you need to clean.

Gear for this project