What Paint To Use On Shoes? [Good Paints & Community Questions]

Time and time again, I face the question, “What paint to use on shoes?”. So are shoe painting crazes still going around?

This trend originated from individuals customizing Nike sneakers. But can someone paint $90 sneakers? The answer is- “Yes! You can!”.

For this lovely community, I have decided to share my younger kid’s shoe painting project along with good paint and some questions that will be commonly asked!

Acrylic paint + fabric medium: I have successfully used this combination before. Let’s jump in and see what we can do!

7 Good Paints To Use On Shoes

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for an old pair of shoes. However, not all paint products are created equal. You can explore these acrylic paints for your shoe painting!

When painting shoes, it’s essential to use a quality product that will adhere to the material and resist scuffs and scratches. With that in mind, here are seven good paint products to use on your shoes:

  1. Resin-Based Paint: This paint is designed to adhere to difficult surfaces like plastic and leather. It’s also very durable, making it ideal for shoes with a lot of wear and tear.
  2. Synthetic-Based Paint: If you’re looking for a paint that’s both durable and flexible, synthetic-based paints are a good option. They’re perfect for shoes made from materials like canvas and suede.
  3. Lacquer-Based Paint: Lacquer-based paints provide a high-gloss finish that’s perfect for dress shoes or other special occasions. These paints dry quickly and offer excellent resistance to scuffs and scratches.
  4. Enamel-Based Paint: Enamel-based paints are versatile and can be used on various materials, including leather, canvas, and vinyl. They offer excellent coverage and can be easily buffed to achieve a high shine.
  5. Fabric Dye: Fabric dyes can be used to achieve a unique look on fabric shoes like sneakers or slip-on. They’re available in various colors and can be mixed to create custom shades.
  6. Metallic Paint: Metallic paints add an instant touch of glamour to any pair of shoes. They’re perfect for special occasions and can be applied over other colors to create exciting effects.
  7. Glitter Paint: Glitter paint is perfect for adding sparkle to your favorite pair of shoes. It’s available in many colors and can be applied in multiple layers to create a truly dazzling effect.

My favorite paint to use on shoes is Angelus Brand Acrylic Leather Paint. It comes in many colors and can be found at most art stores.

How To Paint Shoes?

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect paint for your shoes, it’s time to start your project!

Supplies Needed For Painting Shoes

  • A pair of shoes
  • Acrylic paint
  • Fabric medium
  • Paintbrushes
  • Paper towels or rags
  • Newspaper or a drop cloth

Choosing Your Paint And Design

The first step is to choose the right paint for your shoes. As mentioned before, acrylic paint is a good choice. You can also use fabric dye, metallic paint, or glitter paint. Once you’ve selected your paint, it’s time to decide on a design.

what paint to use on shoes

You can keep it simple with a solid color or get creative with stripes, polka dots, or other patterns. If you’re unsure what to do, there are plenty of online tutorials and resources to help you get started.

Preparing Your Shoes For Painting

Once you’ve decided on a design, it’s time to prep your shoes for painting.

  1. Start by removing any laces or other removable parts. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris from the surface of the shoes.
  2. Next, apply a layer of fabric medium to the shoes. This will help the paint adhere to the material and prevent it from cracking or chipping.
  3. Once the fabric medium is dry, it’s time to start painting. Begin by applying a thin layer of paint to the shoes. Using multiple colors, allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next.
  4. Once you’re happy with your shoes, allow the paint to dry completely. This can take several hours or even overnight.
  5. Once the paint is dry, you can optionally add a layer of clear sealant to help protect the paint and make it more durable.

Now you’re ready to rock your new painted shoes!

What Matters When Applying The Paint?

When painting shoes, we recommend using a brush with synthetic bristles. Natural bristles absorb too much paint and can leave brush strokes behind. Synthetic bristles will give you a nice even coat of paint without brushstrokes.

As far as application goes, we recommend using light coats of paint rather than one heavy coat. Light coats will prevent the paint from dripping or pooling in any area and help the paint dry evenly without any bubbling or cracking.

Once you’ve applied your desired number of coats, set your shoes aside and let them dry completely before moving on to the next step. Depending on the paint you used, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours.

What Matters When Applying The Paint?

The last step in painting your shoes is protecting your new design with a sealant. This is important because it will help keep your design from fading or chipping over time. We recommend using a clear acrylic sealant spray for leather or synthetic shoes. 

Plus, it’s recommended to use fabric medium mixed with clear acrylic sealant spray for fabric shoes. Apply two or three light coats of sealant and let your shoes dry completely before wearing them again.

Tips For Painting Shoes

A fresh coat of paint can give life to an old pair of shoes. But before you start painting, there are a few things you need to know to get the best results. Follow these tips for painting shoes to achieve a professional-looking finish.

  1. Start with a clean surface. This means cleaning your shoes, so the paint will grip onto something. If your shoes are made of leather, you’ll also want to apply a primer before painting.
  2. Choose the correct type of paint. Make sure you select a paint specifically made for use on shoes. You don’t want to use just any old paint, as it may not adhere properly and could end up looking messy. 
  3. Apply the paint in thin coats. It’s better to apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat! It helps to prevent the paint from cracking or peeling off later on.
  4. Let the paint dry completely between each coat. Otherwise, you run the risk of the colors bleeding together.
  5. Be sure to seal the paint when you’re finished. This will protect your work and ensure that the paint lasts as long as possible.

With these tips, you’re ready to start painting your shoes! Just remember to take your time and be patient, and you’ll end up with a great-looking pair of painted shoes that will last for years.

Shoes Painting Common Community Questions

Shoes Painting Common Community Questions
  • Tell Me The Best Paint For Sneaker Art.

You can easily paint shoes with a simple acrylic paintbrush or paintbrush. What makes it most helpful to paint sneakers? The surface will not be painted until it’s properly cleaned.

It is possible to paint sneakers using all kinds of acrylic paint pens or oil paint, but you have to choose a medium that will match the shoe material. This is because, as with art painting, you must ensure the paint types can be used for the material and withstand cracking.

  • Can I Use Normal Acrylic Paint On My Shoes?

The acrylic paint you may use in art shops or hardware stores can be plain old acrylic paint or wall paint. However, the best results are achieved when using specialist shoe paints, as angelus paints are designed to withstand the heavy wearing that a shoe goes through.

Use acrylic paint pen like posca pen. The pen comes in several sizes and nibs to meet your needs. They dry for a long time and only need sealing if the shoes are worn down.

  • How Can I Paint Shoes Without Cracking?

Paint shoes without cracks are best done using thin and dense layers. It’s possible that you are excited about a project you want quickly completed. Let the layer dry before applying the second layer. Usually, you should wait about 3-5 minutes before drying. If you notice paint drips, then stop. Let it dry, and don’t ruin your shoes. Don’t forget.

  • Can Shoes Be Spray Painted?

Can a spray paint shoe be used in a car? That’s true! Spraying paint can be done quickly to cover a whole shoe. Using spray paint for automotive paints (as opposed to spray paint used in graffiti art) is possible using Airbrush paints similar to those used to paint model aircraft.

Airbrushing is recommended since bigger spray bottles can increase the ability to paint more detailed lines. You must also purchase a good air compressor when utilizing airbrush technology. Spray paint doesn’t always float on your shoe surface – it stays on the shoe surface rather than inside.

  • Can I Paint My Shoes With Acrylic Paint?

Is there an easy method for spotting a shoe? That’s true. Take a closer look at the way my shoes are looking on my feet. Make sure you apply your paint in a thin layer and leave each layer completely dry.

  • What Paint Lasts On Shoes?

Leather and spray paint for shoe materials. Acrylic paint is intended for use in leather items and shoes. Acrylic colors are available at craft stores and on Amazon. This paint has a brush and gives a clean finish that lasts.

  • What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On Shoes?

Acrylic paint uses polymers that are both strong and flexible. This allows them to be easily used in canvas shoemaking and for drying. The paint is coated with plastic polyamides to create thin, rigid surfaces that are highly durable and resist cracks and stains.

  • Can Paint On A Shoe Make The Shoes Look A Little Shinier?

Acrylic paint can be easily removed using water on vinyl or leather shoes. The same is true of canvas shoes; soaking will only be necessary.

  • Do I Want A Canvas Shoe Painted?

Use fabric paints and sharpeners for a longer lifespan. Technically it will work well; however, the paint should be applied using a cloth brush or Sharpie. They’re more comfortable outdoors.

  • Who Should Paint Shoes?

Painting footwear isn’t an emerging trend in the shoe industry anymore. If anyone doesn’t like the color of their shoes, it’s a matter of drawing them. Paint shoes are an excellent choice in this regard. Moreover, many have long been fond of wearing shoes.

However, the shoes they like have scratches that signify that it’s deteriorating and worn down. It’s when helpful paints help you. It’ll give your clothes a new appearance. In addition, you may prolong your shoes’ lifespan by painting them. A great pair of shoes may also be as important today as fashion clothing.

  • Tell Me The Best Way To Paint Shoes.

The customization of clothes is not an old trend. Usually, the style of shoes fits the needs of a person. The shoes don’t have the color you want. Paint Shoes aren’t for everyone, so it’s a way to give a personal style to shoes.

If the paint is applied, you can find a pattern in the sole worn out with age or wear. Smoothing the shoes and then applying the paint can help prolong the life of your favorite shoe. In an era when everyone cares about appearance, it’s essential to keep them looking good. Cosmetic damage will go away once we refinish the shoes.

  • What’s The Best Way To Paint Shoes?

The answers to this may also depend upon footwear. Try acrylic and fabric paint when painting canvas shoes; when painting vinyl sneakers like ours, acrylic, fabric, or leather paint is the only option. It’s challenging to decide which one is right.

We’ve never used leather paints yet, but it seems to work. Purchasing leather paint for a pair of shoes seems to be a more costly investment. I prefer paintings that could have been used for other projects later. 

  • What Is The Best Way To Keep My Shoes From Being Damaged When I Paint Them?

One of the best things you can do is use a primer before applying the paint to your shoes. This will help to create a barrier between the paint and the shoe material. You can also use a clear coat of paint to seal the color and protect the shoes from scuffs and scratches.

Another thing that you can do is use fabric paint. This type of paint is designed to be used on fabric and will not damage the material of your shoes. You can also use leather paint if you are painting leather shoes. This paint is designed to be used on leather and will not damage the material.

Finally, you can use a clear coat of paint to seal the color and protect the shoes from scuffs and scratches. This will help to keep the paint from being damaged by the elements and will also help to keep the shoes looking new.

Leave a Comment