How to Paint and Customize Your Shoes – Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Want to turn your kicks into wearable art? Whether you're customizing Jordans, reviving old AF1s, or creating something totally your own — this guide walks you through the full process using pro-grade products and trusted techniques.

✅ What You’ll Need

🛠️ Essential Tools

• Soft detail brushes
• Masking tape (painter’s or vinyl)
• Leather prep or acetone
• Microfiber cloths
• Gloves
• Heat gun or hair dryer
• Mixing cups or palette

🎨 Paints

• KixKote WALK101 Series – 101 full-coverage opaque colors
• KixKote UV Blaze – UV-reactive neon paint
• KixKote ChromeFlex – High-shine metallics

💡 All KixKote paints are urethane-based – built to flex and never crack.

🔧 Optional Pro Additives

• Adhesion Promoter (primer coat for tricky surfaces)
• Crosslinker (mix-in for durability)
• Soft Feel (smooth, low-tack texture)
• Thickener (for precision detailing)

🧼 Step 1: Clean & Prep Your Shoes

1. Remove laces and insoles.
2. Use leather prep or acetone to strip off factory finishes.
3. Wipe thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.
4. Mask off midsoles, logos, or protected zones.

🎯 Pro Tip: For rubber or synthetic panels, apply KixKote Adhesion Promoter before painting for optimal bonding.

🎨 Step 2: Apply Your Base Colors

Use brushes or airbrush for clean, even coverage:

• Shake paint well
• Apply 3–5 thin coats, letting each layer dry
• Use heat gun to assist with drying if needed

ChromeFlex shines best on black. UV Blaze pops on white. For fades/blends, try dry brushing or wet-on-wet mixing.

🧪 Step 3: Boost Your Finish with Additives (Optional)

• Crosslinker – Add to paint/top coat for durability
• Soft Feel – Creates a luxury, smooth finish
• Thickener – Helps with stencils and detail work
• Adhesion Promoter – Use before painting high-wear zones

✅ Step 4: Seal & Protect Your Artwork

1. Let paint cure for 24 hours
2. Apply 1–2 coats of clear finisher or top coat
3. Let cure fully before lacing up

Don’t skip the topcoat — it protects against water, dirt, and daily wear.

🎨 Try This: The Official KixKote Logo Colorway

Use these WALK101 Series paints:

• Whiteout
• Blacktop
• Primary Red
• Electric Blue

Alternate red and blue panels, black for outlines, and white for the base. Want to be featured?

📸 Post your pair with #KixKoteYourKicks for a chance to be on our homepage!

🛒 Ready to Start?

• Shop All Paints
• Get a Starter Kit
• Explore Additives
• Watch Tutorials

Got questions? DM us on Instagram @KixKote or hit the chat button below — we’re here to help!