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Customer reviewsPainting leather or how to transform your shoes.
How to paint leather shoes?
We often hear the phrase 'painting leather shoes', but what does it mean? Painting leather is associated with the art of patina. The art of colouring and decorating a raw shoe. This is where the patina artists personalise your shoes to your taste.
In some cases this can be an excellent way to give them a new lease of life.
All you need are a few materials such as paint stripper and dye to completely change the colour of your shoes. If you just want to personalise your shoes, a little opaque dye will do the trick. This step-by-step guide will help you achieve a professional result.
All the advice in this article applies to dyeing leather shoes. We do not recommend this for faux leather. We won't be discussing other surfaces, including leather sofas.
Preparation, a crucial stage
Before you start painting, you need to prepare your work surface and protect your clothing. Remember to protect your work area with a tablecloth. You can also wear an apron to protect your clothes.
It's important to prepare your shoes for this transformation: Cleaning: Use a leather cleaner to clean your shoes. This will remove dirt and the remains of old shoe polish. It should be applied with a clean chamois.
Stripping: Use a stripper and a clean chamois to remove all the colour from the shoe. This product should be used in a well-ventilated area and your work surface should be protected. The leather should be smooth and dull. In some cases it may be white.
Protection: Apply tape to the soles to protect them.
Step 1: Applying the dye
For this stage you need to choose a good quality stain.Stains need to be specifically designed for leather.A stain must be suitable for all types of leather.
Not all types of paint or dye will work on leather.For example, acrylic paint is not recommended, even for leather, as it will remain on the surface of the leather and will not be durable.
You can leave a few minutes between coats to see the colour and decide what to do next.The dye should be applied with the foam tip provided or with a clean brush for even application.
Continue until the desired colour is achieved. Use smaller brushes for details and hard-to-reach areas.
To create shades or mix colours, we recommend you read our article on shoe patina.
Step 2: Protect the patina
This is the last step to be carried out on your pair of shoes. The leather has been through a lot during the transformation process. It is essential to seal in the new colour and protect your shoes.
This step consists of carrying out a complete maintenance operation, skipping the cleaning stage. Apply a thin layer of shoe polish to nourish the leather that has been dried out by the dye. Finish with a patina of shoe polish to protect and shine.
Our professional advice: use a colourless cream polish and a yellow wax polish paste. By following this advice, you'll preserve all the nuances and depth of the transformation.
Conclusion
Changing the patina or painting leather shoes can be done with a little preparation and patience. To maintain the result, regular maintenance is highly recommended. Take a look at our leather care guide.
If you have any doubts, we advise you to consult a professional. Our advisors are on hand to answer all your questions.
