Wondering how to get the most out of SneakArts paint ? You’re in the right place !
Our FAQ is packed with tips and answers to all your questions.
PAINT
SneakArts paint works on many materials including :
- Leather and faux leather
- Fabric and textile
- Plastic, wood and metal
- Suede and nubuck
For best adhesion, make sure to prep the surface.
SneakArts paint is a high-quality professional paint, flexible and ultra-resistant, specifically formulated for leather, fabric, and more. Our formula is non-toxic, and there’s no need to buy additional additives to paint on different materials.
Conventional acrylic paints are designed for surfaces that do not bend or move, such as canvas, cardboard, or wood. On leather or fabric, these paints will eventually crack or fade over time.
To ensure the best preparation for leather, we recommend following these steps :
- Use the preparer with a cotton pad to remove the factory finish and open up the leather pores.
- For faux leather, sensitive and luxury leather sand using 600-1200 grit sandpaper.
- For high-flex areas like the front of the shoe, sand the surface using sandpaper (240 and 400 grit) to improve adhesion. This part of the shoe bends frequently, so proper prep helps prevent cracking and ensures lasting results.
- Remove any dust using a cotton pad and the preparer.
- Ensure the surface is completely dry before painting.
To paint leather, you can use a paint brush, sponge or airbrush, just make sure to :
- Always apply thin layers of paint to maintain durability and flexibility over time.
- Allow the paint to dry between each layer (1-2 minutes with a hair dryer or 10-15 minutes naturally).
- Let it dry for 24 hours once your customization or restoration is complete.
- Apply a matte or glossy finisher to protect the paint.
For fabric and textile we recommend washing and drying the fabric first to remove any factory finishes or chemicals that could affect adhesion.
Once clean, apply a white base coat before adding other paints : this helps prevent bleeding and ensures vibrant, long-lasting colors.
Always apply thin coats of paint for optimal adhesion.
To keep the colors vibrant, apply a thin layer of finisher once the paint is completely dry.
There are many types of plastics, each made from different materials.
Plastics you can paint on : ABS, PC, PMMA, rigid PVC, Phylon, EVA, expanded PU (Examples: consoles, controllers, midsoles, rigid soles)
Plastics to avoid with our paints : Silicone, soft TPU, soft TPE, POM, PA, PP, PE (Examples: plastic bottles, rubber soles, soft grips or cases)
To prepare plastic, use sandpaper with a grit of 600, 800, 1000 or higher. Avoid solvent-based products or the SneakArts paint remover, as they may melt the plastic.
Apply the paint in thin layers, and finish with a matte varnish for better protection.
Prepare the wood using 80 to 120 grit sandpaper for rough sanding, then finish with 240 or 400 grit.
Remove any dust with a damp cloth before applying the paint.
Apply the paint in thin layers, and finish with a wood varnish after 24 hours.
To remove the factory finish from the surface of your shoes before painting, you need to use a solvent.
- Acetone contains stronger chemicals that can damage leather by burning or overheating the surface you want to customize.
- Preparer is specially designed for leather. It opens up leather pores and removes the factory finish effectively without causing any damage to the leather.
Yes, you can mix all of our paints together to create new colors.
With SneakArts, no paint additives needed. You can dilute the paint with water :
- 5 to 50% water to thin your paint for airbrush
- 50 to 80% or more to dye fabric
We don't recommend mixing SneakArts paint with other brands to ensure best color and durability.
No, you don't have to dilute the paint unless you want to make it thinner or want to dye fabric.
The paint is ready to use. Simply make sure you correctly prep the surface before applying the paint.
DYE
Before dyeing, always clean suede and nubuck leather with a soft or medium brush. If the surface is dirty, we recommend using our cleaning kit to better prepare the surface.
Here’s what to do for the best results:
Apply one thin layer of SneakArts suede dye to revive the color.
Once the dye is dry, use a suede soft brush to gently brush the fibers and restore the texture.
If you’re working with very thin fibers suede or nubuck, we recommend diluting the dye with water to keep the suede soft.
To lighten the color, dilute the dye with water or mix it with white dye.
Following these tips will help you achieve vibrant, lasting color without compromising the feel of your suede or nubuck.
Here’s a simple way to dye fabric with our paint :
Dilute the paint with 50 to 80% water to make a fabric dye.
Apply the dye using a paintbrush or wool dauber or fully soak the fabric.
Let dry the fabric for 24–48 hours. There’s no need to wash it afterward.
Note: You can use less water (like a 50/50 mix) for stronger color, but the fabric may feel stiffer. We recommend the 80/20 mix for softer fabric and good color.
Our small 30mL bottle can dye 2 to 3 pairs of shoes or 1 small bag.
With our large 100mL bottle, you can dye 1 bag or 1 jacket.
PROTECT & CARE
Even if the paint has a very good resistance once dry, you can add an extra protection or change the sheen of your project using one of our finishers.
After completing your customization, let it dry for 24 hours. Then, delicately apply the matte or glossy finisher using a paintbrush or airbrush, for long lasting results.
Use the matte finisher to create a smooth natural look.
Use the glossy finisher to make a shiny and glossy look.
Yes, the paint is resistant to washing machines and cleaning products.
We recommend hand-washing leather and faux leather using a brush and cleaner.
We recommend delicate wash (< 40°C) for fabric to preserve vibrant colors over time.
STENCILS
SneakArts provides an online tool to create your own stencil using your logos or pictures.
We recommend importing high-quality images for the best results. Do not hesitate to contact us, our team will be happy to help you.
You can add multiples images, change the size, the position and much more!
A stencil is a sticker you can use to fill with paint. If your surface is not smooth, prepare the area first.
Remove your design from the vinyl stencil.
Use transfer tape if your design has small details or complex shapes.
Apply the stencil to your item and ensure it sticks properly. You can use a credit card or another stiff card to press it down.
Use our sponge to avoid applying a thick layer of paint. You can also apply an undercoat to prevent smudging, especially on grained or non-smooth leather.
Fill the stencil with thin layers of paint, making sure not to leave excess on the edges of the stencil, as this may cause the paint to peel off.
Let it dry before carefully removing the stencil.
AIRBRUSH
Yes, SneakArts paint works perfectly with an airbrush.
- Use a 0.2 to 0.5 mm nozzle for Standard, Collector, Fluorescent / Neon, UV, and Thermochromic colors.
- We recommend a 0.5 mm nozzle for Metallic and Chameleon paints.
The airbrush settings depend on what you want to do.
- For stencils or large area : Dilute with 5–10% water if needed (depending on the color), use a pressure of 2 to 2.5 bar, and a 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm nozzle.
- For fine details : Dilute the paint with 30–40% water or more, use a pressure of 1 to 1.5 bar, and a 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm nozzle.
Adjust the paint’s fluidity as needed and always keep the airbrush moving while spraying.
To clean your airbrush when using SneakArts paint, we recommend the following tips :
- Never leave the paint sitting too long in the cup without spraying.
- Clean the airbrush with water between each color.
- If the airbrush gets clogged, use the needle to clear the nozzle.
- If paint still doesn’t come out, disassemble the mechanism and clean the airbrush thoroughly.
Another question ?
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