It seems like every day there is a new way to express your personal style. There are tons of tutorials online for how to paint your nails, change your hair color, and even apply fake lashes. So it’s no surprise that some people are curious about how to paint their shoes. Painting your shoes can be a fun way to add a pop of color or some extra personality to an outfit.
Types of paint to use on shoes
Although it is not necessary to use shoe polish on your shoes, the most common way of bringing out the shine is by using shoe cream or wax.
The type of soil or mud that sticks onto your shoes also affects the condition of your shoe’s surface. The worse off you are with a muddy pair, the more polishing it would need.
Cream polish provides a smooth and even sheen, with colour pigmentation that enhances the look of your shoe’s surface over time.
Wax polish is thinner in consistency than cream polishes, but they provide immediate results which you can almost see immediately after application. Wax polishes may be scented for a more pleasurable experience.
As for shoe creams, below are the most common types used today.
Note: Different countries have different shoe polishing products. These are just some of the more common ones available locally.
1 – Kiwi Shoe Polish (Black)
This is one of the most popular brands out there. It comes in colors, but the most common one is black. It’s affordable and makes your shoes look new again.
2 – Angelus Shoe Wax Polish – Black
Their wax polish is also very popular. Many people swear by it especially when they need their shoes to be of top quality in a short span of time. I’ve personally used this before and I am pretty satisfied with it.
3 – Angelus Direct Spray Shoe Polish Finish
For those who don’t like putting on shoe cream using a brush, this is the product for you. Just spray and your shoes will look brand new!
4 – Meltonian Shoe Cream – Black
Meltonian is another known brand for making shoe cream. With a price range of almost the same as Angelus, it’s a good buy as well.
5 – Kiwi Black Shoe Polish – 8oz
I had to recommend this one because it comes in a bulk size and is very affordable, especially if you have multiple pairs of shoes that you want to polish.
6 – Angelus Shoe Cream – Brown
If you’re looking for cream instead of wax, this product is the one to buy. It makes your shoes look like new again!
7 – Auto Glym High Shine Shoe Polish (Black)
For those who want shine but not necessarily wear an occasional shoe cream or wax, their high shine polish is also a good buy.
8 – Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Cream Polish
Another product for those who want to keep their shoes in mint condition without the shine. Effectively moisturizes and conditions leather while providing a subtle low sheen luster.
9 – Meltonian Shoe Cream – Neutral (Cream)
For those who want a cream that is not black, you should try this neutral color variant. It makes your shoes look less noticeable and blends well with the color of your shoes.
10 – Kiwi Neutral Shoe Polish
If you don’t like wearing shoe creams as much as waxes, the neutral shine from Kiwi is a good alternative.
11 – Meltonian Matt Shoe Polish – Neutral (Matt)
As the name suggests, this product provides a matte look for those that prefer it. For those who want to tone down the shine of your shoes and still maintain their color, here is an option for you as well.
12 – Kiwi Shoe Polish – Neutral (Matt)
Same as Meltonian Matt, this product provides a matte look. For those who prefer the matte look over the normal shine, here’s another option for you.
13 – Meltonian High Shine Cream Shoe Polish
If you’re looking for a cream that provides a very high shine, here’s one. It has a slightly different color than the usual black!
14 – Angelus High Shine Cream Shoe Polish
Another cream that provides a very high shine. If you’re looking for something with shine, why not try this product?
15 – Aero Mint Shoe Wax Polish
This is another product by Angelus. If you want a minty smell after polishing, this is your product!
16 – Meltonian Hot Shine Shoe Polish – Black
If you’re looking for something that will give your shoes an extra kick in terms of shine, this is the shoe cream to get. It is very shiny and provides immediate results after application.
17 – Meltonian Instant Shine Shoe Polish
This is another shine variant by Meltonian. If you’re looking for a cream that will give your shoes an extra kick in terms of shine, this is the one to get. It also provides immediate results after application.
18 – Kiwi Glow In The Dark Shoe Polish
If you’re an admirer of the glow in the dark effect, this product will help you achieve that look. It’s very funky and is a good buy for those who want to stand out from the rest!
19 – Angelus Glow In The Dark Shoe Polish
Another variant, if you’re looking for a glow in the dark cream, this is the one to get. It glows very bright and will help you stand out from the rest!
20 – Chamberlain’s Cream Shoe Polish – Neutral
If you want a cream that doesn’t give your shoes any shine at all, this neutral shoe cream is just for you. If you’re looking for something to help you achieve that matte or no shine effect, this product is for you.
21 – Kiwi Neutral Shoe Cream
If you don’t want any shine but still want your shoes moisturized and conditioned, then this cream is the one to get! It will give your shoes a nice subtle look with absolutely no shine at all.
22 – Adam Elements Neutral Wax Shoe Polish
If you want something that won’t give any shine or color then this is the cream to get. It will condition the leather while giving it a subtle matte look which is really nice!
23 – Meltonian Leather Care Cream – Neutral (Cream)
If you’re looking for a cream that will give your shoes no shine at all while moisturizing it, this is the product to get. It doesn’t just work on leather, but also on vinyl and rubber!
24 – Meltonian Shoe Cream – Neutral (Cream)
If you’re looking for good value for money then this cream is the product to get. It provides moisturizing properties and will not give your shoes any shine at all. It’s especially good for those who don’t like wearing shoe polish all the time!
25 – Saphir Shoe Polish Cream – Neutral (Cream)
Another variant, if you’re looking for something that won’t give any shine or color, then this cream is the one to get. It will condition the leather while giving it a subtle matte look which is really nice!
26 – Saphir Reno’Mat Shoe Polish Cream
This variant provides moisturizing and conditioning properties, but also provides a bit of shine as well. If you want something to moisturize and condition your shoes, while also giving it a subtle shine, this cream is for you.
How to apply paint to shoes?
How to paint leather shoes?
First, clean the surface of your shoes using a sponge and warm water. Remove any dirt, dust or oil. Once this is complete, spray the paint on the shoe in thin coats avoiding drips and let it completely dry between each coat.
After that wait approximately 10 minutes and then brush over your shoe with a suede brush to help the paint adhere better to the surface of your shoe. Powder before you proceed to the next step.
To seal the paint on your shoes, spray over a layer of varnish after the paint has dried completely. Let this dry for at least 24 hours before wearing them out in rain or snow conditions.
The layers of varnish will make your shoes more durable and sturdy. It will help prevent moisture seeping through the top layers of paint.
How to paint suede shoes?
Suede is a leather with a soft finish and appearance. It’s normally made from lamb, sheep or deerskin (and other skins). Suede is more delicate than the smooth version and therefore has to be treated differently. The method of application also varies depending on whether we’re talking about suede shoes or suede bags, but in general the technique for application is very similar.
Suede cannot be painted with a brush like smooth leather because the bristles will leave brush strokes on the surface. For this reason, you’ll have to use either spray paint or an airbrush (a special compressor that sprays paint out of a nozzle).
The way to apply paint on suede is by first applying a white primer. This isn’t the same as the normal primer we use for smooth leather, but an acrylic-based primer that can be removed from the surface using water. After this step, you should apply a layer of latex paint and leave it to dry well. The following step is to dust the surface with talcum powder (baby powder), which will ensure that the paint sticks well and doesn’t flake off easily.
You might find this method too much trouble, but both Adrian Flux and Dr Marten’s provide different variations of suede paints that are easier to apply. These products include both acrylic and latex paints that are fast-drying, water repellent, resistant to high temperatures (frying pans) and most importantly they won’t be removed by contact with water.
How to paint fabric shoes?
The way you paint fabric shoes is by first brushing them over with a mixture of warm water and cleaning detergent. Then, use a standard brush to apply the fabric paint in thin coats, ensuring that they are not too thick. Avoid applying the paint when the temperature is too hot or cold, as this can affect how it works. Powder before you proceed to the next step.
The last step is to iron the shoes to help the paint set in and finally use a standard shoe shine brush along with your preferred shoe polish. That’s about it, but you’ll have to repeat these steps every time you wish to paint new shoes or after they’ve been washed.