How To Paint On Leather

Gear

When it comes to sprucing up your favourite leather items or giving new items a unique twist, paint is the simplest way to go about it. It requires very little equipment, is easy to do and will have it looking like a million bucks in no time.

You will need:

  • Brushes
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Sandpaper
  • Deglazer
  • Acrylic paint
  • Acetone
  • Masking tape
  • Newspaper or tarp
  • Cloths
  • Face mask
  • Gloves
  • Aus vegas

Preparing The Area

Before you start painting up a storm, you need to choose your work area that is well ventilated and then set out to protect it from the mess that will more than likely happen. This involves laying down a tarp or some newspaper.

Next, you will want to prepare your leather item. Any parts that should not be painted needs to be masked off and protected – if they can be disassembled, we recommend doing so. If you anticipate things getting seriously messy, you may want to put on some old clothes.

Prepping For Painting

Wipe down the leather to clean the surface ad remove excess dirt and dust. Wipe it down a second time with isopropyl alcohol to remove excess oils and wax.

If there is anything you cannot get off, try using sandpaper but be a careful ton to damage the leather. The final step when it comes to preparation is using a deglazer that will assist the paint in sticking to the service.

Hitting The Paint

To start with, put on your gloves and face mask. Next, reach for your paint and prepare it according to the label instructions. Most acrylic paints will need to be thinned out before use. This will also prevent the paint from being applied too thickly and cracking when dry.

If you are painting multiple layers, wait for each layer to dry completely before starting on the next. Bending the leather after each layer of paint will help the paint remain flexible and prevent cracking while in use.

Top 10 Tips For Painting Leather

  1. To prevent paint from drying on items other than the one you are working o, keep a wet cloth on hand to wipe up any spills.
  2. Prevent brush damage by keeping a jar of water close by to rinse off the paint. This will prevent the paint from drying onto the brushes and becoming difficult to remove.
  3. Preparation is key, the effort you put in will show in the result.
  4. Start with a small-scale project to test the waters and work on perfecting your craft before taking on more adventurous pieces. Even when you do start on a small project, start on a small area to determine if the products are giving the desired result.
  5. Watch out for cracks and peeling when adding new layers. Rather paint thinner layers and have it set properly than applying thick layers that will more than likely crack.

When it comes to painting leather, do not take shortcuts. If you want instant gratification, rather buy Bitcoin now instead. Put in the time and effort and the results speak for themselves.