What kind of paint can I use on leather?
Most leather paints are acrylic based, but for the best effect, don't just use your “regular” acrylic paints that you use on paper, canvas, or wood. Leather paints are formulated specifically for leather, and last better. Angelus paint is especially popular among leather painters.
There are two ways you can letter with paint on leather: you can either paint directly on the leather with acrylic paint like Angelus paints and brushes, or you can use paint markers. Which one you use is really a matter of preference!
Leather is a popular substrate for many artists looking to create something a little different. From shoes or belts to jackets, the projects are extensive. When thinking about how to customise your design, you may ask the question “can I use acrylic paint on leather?” and the answer is yes!
Surface Preparation
Before painting, wipe the leather with Isopropyl alcohol to degrease, clean and remove any coatings, waxes, or oils that may be on the leather. If alcohol does not remove the coating, it may be necessary to lightly sand the surface with some fine sandpaper.
Most leather paints are acrylic based, but for the best effect, don't just use your “regular” acrylic paints that you use on paper, canvas, or wood. Leather paints are formulated specifically for leather, and last better. Angelus paint is especially popular among leather painters.
When properly applied Angelus Leather Paint will not crack, peel, fade or rub off. Non-toxic and water-based for easy clean up, Angelus is easy to use and can be blended together for countless custom colors. Apply with a brush, sponge or airbrush (should be thinned with 2-Thin before use in an airbrush or spray gun).
Leather conditioner or oil
It is important to condition leather before painting it in order to avoid any dryness or cracking. Allow the leather to dry completely before you start painting - this will ensure a long-lasting finish.
- Prepare Your Leather Object. ...
- Clean Your Object, if it Has Visible Dirt. ...
- Let it Dry. ...
- Apply the Cleaner/Deglazer. ...
- Let it Dry for a Few Minutes. ...
- Get Your Paints Ready. ...
- Protect Anything That Won't be Painted. ...
- Apply a Layer of Paint.
Even the most flexible paint is subject to lifting, cracking, and flaking over time. So, dye is better suited for items of clothing, wallets, belts, and other high-use items.
...
Buy soft insoles.
- Buy soft insoles. ...
- Avoid storing them in a room with reduced humidity. ...
- Maintain the shoes, especially if it's leather.
How do you paint leather without cracking it?
Use only thin layers of paint, letting them dry in between. But never use heat to dry the leather. Always bend leather before, during and after painting to make sure it keeps its flexibility. Otherwise, the paint will dry on the leather, it will become stiff and once you move or flex it later on – the paint will crack.
Preparation: Cleaning and Deglazing
This is done in order to remove any coatings such as oils or even waxes, as well as to make sure that the paint will be absorbed into the leather.

However, leather paint is specially designed to paint on leather. The paint is slightly thinner so that it can soak into the pores of the leather and not crack as much as normal acrylic. They also last longer on leather items than normal acrylic paints. There is even leather paint for shoes.
We recommend that you only use acrylic paint for leather, as any other paint may not soak into the leather effectively, reducing its flexibility and may cause cracking over time. Make sure you thin out your paint before you begin with one ounce of paint to one part of water, which is best done in a bowl.
WD-40 makes stiff leather items soft and supple. Dog collars, baseball gloves, work boots, shoes, and sandals all benefit from a spray. As a bonus, you'll remove stubborn stains which means the lubricant is particularly useful in treating vintage items.
Using olive oil on leather can restore colour and repair small scratches. This works on shoes, couches, chairs and other items. The process is the same as with wooden furniture, but just use straight olive oil – no lemon needed! Pour some oil onto a cloth and rub into the leather in a circular motion.
Mix two commercial products: leather conditioner and shoe polish. Mixed in equal parts. This solution can be rubbed onto leather, allowed to dry, and buffed into the material. Darker shades can be achieved by repeating the application several times.
Oil Paint on Leather
Some permanent markers are also oil-based and fine to use on leather. But regular oil paints can damage leather and may not work well on leather that needs to move—shoes, couches, jackets, etc.
White leather is also more durable than you may think. While it is still leather and requires the proper care, maintenance, and conditioning to keep it in like-new condition, it actually works well with tears and spills too. In fact, lighter colors will wear much better than black.
Yes, you can paint leather furniture. It's a fantastic way to breathe new life into a dated or worn leather piece of furniture.
Does acrylic paint stain leather?
Get Rid of Stubborn Acrylic Paint Stains
For tougher stains that persist even after using olive oil, try using rubbing alcohol or a dedicated leather cleaner with a dry cloth. Rubbing alcohol breaks the bonds of the polymer, which binds leather and acrylic paint together, making the removal process much easier.
Acrylic varnish is most often used to seal paintings and protect the surface from damage and fading, but it also works very well when used to prevent acrylic paint from flaking off a glass surface. The varnish is available in art stores and online is simple and effective to use.
Binder, available as liquid acrylic polymer emulsion or a gel, gives the paints their adhesive qualities, binding the polymers together. Too much water weakens the binder and results in cracking. There is a general consensus amongst brands that adding up to 30% water is still ok.
Peeling or flaking is usually a sign of a delaminating bicast, bonded or faux leather and may be cost prohibitive to repair. Sometimes, however, peeling or flaking is just a damaged finish (paint) on real leather or vinyl that is easily corrected. Look at the area that has chipped away.
There are deglazing products available from leather suppliers that will do this task nicely, or for a fraction of the cost and essentially the same effect, you can use any hardware store acetone. (Please note that nail polish remover will not work).