Material guide
What can Angelus paint and dye be used on?
Angelus Acrylic Leather Paint works on smooth leather, canvas, denim, nylon and wood, and on glass, metal and hard plastic when mixed with 2-Hard. Angelus Leather Dye is for leather, Suede Dye is for suede and nubuck, and Low VOC Leather Dye also stains bare wood. Most surfaces need prep first.
- YesLeather, canvas, denim, wood
- With prepPatent, slick and hard surfaces
- With limitsFoam like Crocs
Quick answers by material
The short answer for each surface. Details, prep and the right product are below.
| Smooth leather | Yes, with prep. Deglaze, then paint with #720 or dye with #500 or #510. |
|---|---|
| Patent and slick leather | Yes, with prep. Sand, then a light pass of Leather Preparer & Deglazer. An automotive adhesion promoter adds hold. |
| Suede and nubuck | Yes, with #520 Suede Dye & Dressing, which soaks into the nap. |
| Canvas | Yes. Paint with #720; add 2-Soft to keep it flexible. No deglazing needed. |
| Denim and fabric | Yes. Paint with #720 and add 2-Soft to keep fabric flexible. |
| Nylon | Yes, with #720 Acrylic Leather Paint. |
| Wood | Yes. Paint with #720, or stain bare wood with #510 Low VOC Leather Dye. |
| Leather couches and car seats | Yes, with prep. They’re smooth leather: deglaze, paint or dye, then seal. |
| Glass, metal and hard plastic | Yes, with 2-Hard mixed into the paint, on rigid surfaces that don’t bend. |
| Foam (Crocs and similar) | Yes, with limits. Paint will most likely wear off this material over time. |
| Yellowed rubber soles | Restore them with Sole Bright. Refinish soles with Walk On Sole Paint. |
| Bone, antler and gourds | Yes, with #510 Low VOC Leather Dye. Test on a scrap first. |
Material by material
What to use, how to prep it and what to expect.
-
Yes, with prep
Smooth leather
Sneakers, boots, bags and jackets. Strip the factory finish with Leather Preparer & Deglazer so paint grips and dye soaks in.
- #720 Acrylic Leather Paint to change or design
- #500 or #510 dye to restore or deepen color
- Seal with Acrylic Finisher
-
Yes, with prep
Patent and slick leather
Paint can’t grip a slick surface as is. Sand lightly, then make a light pass of Deglazer. An automotive adhesion promoter adds hold.
- Never mix 2-Hard into paint for patent leather; it cracks
- Test a hidden spot first
-
Yes
Suede and nubuck
Use #520 Suede Dye & Dressing, which soaks into the nap. Brush the nap up before and after, and remember dye works best going darker.
- 25 suede dye colors
- Suede Renew brings back faded, stiff suede
-
Yes
Canvas
Canvas has no factory finish, so just clean it and paint with #720. Mix in 2-Soft to keep the paint flexible on canvas and fabric.
- Works on canvas sneakers, bags and art
- Seal with Acrylic Finisher
-
Yes
Denim and fabric
Paint jeans, jackets and fabric with #720. Add 2-Soft so the paint stays flexible as the fabric moves.
See 2-Soft for fabric -
Yes
Wood
Paint wood with #720, or stain bare wood with #510 Low VOC Leather Dye. Guitar builders use #510 on bodies and tops. Test on a scrap first.
See Low VOC Leather Dye -
Yes, with prep
Leather couches and car seats
Leather furniture and car interiors are smooth leather. Clean, deglaze, then paint or dye and seal, just like shoes.
See leather paint and dye -
Yes, with 2-Hard
Glass, metal and hard plastic
Mix 2-Hard into the paint for rigid surfaces that don’t bend. Never use 2-Hard on leather or anything that flexes; it cracks.
See 2-Hard -
Yes, with limits
Foam, like Crocs
You can paint foam clogs, but paint will most likely wear off this material over time. Treat it as a short-term custom.
How to apply the paint -
Restore
Rubber soles
Sole Bright takes the yellowing out of rubber midsoles and clear or icy soles. Walk On Sole Paint is made to refinish soles.
See Sole Bright
Products in this guide
The prep, additives and restorers mentioned above, in one place.
What people make with Angelus
Jackets, bags, purses and more.
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A hand-painted leather jacket -
A leather messenger bag -
A leather purse -
Leather coasters
Paint or dye?
Both recolor leather. Paint sits on top; dye soaks in.
-
Paint
Change the color or add designs
Acrylic Leather Paint covers any color, light over dark included, and dries flexible and waterproof.
Acrylic Leather Paint -
Dye
Restore or deepen the color
Dye soaks in and keeps leather’s natural feel. It works best going darker.
Leather & Suede Dye
Material questions
Can you use Angelus paint on canvas?
Yes. Clean the canvas and paint with Angelus #720 Acrylic Leather Paint. Mix in 2-Soft to keep the paint flexible. Canvas has no factory finish, so it doesn’t need deglazing.
Can you use Angelus paint on Crocs?
Yes, with limits. Angelus paint goes on foam clogs, but it will most likely wear off that material over time.
Can you use Angelus paint on patent leather?
Yes, with prep. Sand lightly, then make a light pass of Leather Preparer & Deglazer; an automotive adhesion promoter adds hold. Never mix in 2-Hard on patent leather, because it cracks when the leather flexes.
Can you use Angelus paint on glass, metal or plastic?
Yes, on rigid surfaces that don’t bend, with 2-Hard mixed into the paint.
Can you paint a leather couch or car seats with Angelus?
Yes. They’re smooth leather, so clean and deglaze first, then paint or dye and seal with Acrylic Finisher.
Can you use Angelus paint on suede?
For suede and nubuck, use Angelus #520 Suede Dye & Dressing. It soaks into the nap instead of sitting on top.
Can you use Angelus leather dye on wood?
Yes. #510 Low VOC Leather Dye soaks into bare wood with no finish, and guitar builders use it on bodies and tops. Test on a scrap piece first.
Do I need to deglaze before painting leather?
Yes. Most leather has a factory finish that paint can’t grip and dye can’t soak through. Deglazing removes it so your work lasts.