KixKote FAQs

Prep → Primer → Paint → Finisher

This ordering prevents peeling/cracking and gives the most durable, professional result.

No. You can get excellent results with brushes using thin coats. For smoother brushing and stronger coverage, add KixKote Brush Boost (Pro Brush Booster). An airbrush simply makes gradients and smooth coverage easier.

Walk101 Series – Opaques: Shop Walk101
UV Blaze Line – Neons: Shop UV Blaze
ChromeFlex Line – Metallics: Shop ChromeFlex

Apply 3–5 thin coats with short flash time between passes. Thin coats flex better, look smoother, and last longer.

Use it when all you’re painting hard-to-stick materials or for any job where durability on MAX is required. (leather, synthetics, vinyl, midsoles). It helps prevent peeling and maximizes bond strength and flexibility.

Product: KixKote Adhesion Promoter (Leather & Synthetics)

KixKote Sole Flex is designed for areas that flex hard (soles/midsoles and plastics/rubbers/TPU). It helps coatings bend with wear without cracking and increases paint flexibility.

Product: KixKote Sole Flex (Adhesion Promoter for Plastics, Rubber & Nylons)

Yes—the easiest way to cover leather, synthetics and soles is the KixKote Primer Kit – Adhesion Promoter + Sole Flex (2-Pack).

KixKote Sticky Icky (Cross-Linking Binder) boosts wear, adhesion, and chemical/cleaning resistance. Mix 3–5% by volume into your paint. This is about 2-3 drops mixed into your paint in the airbrush cup. Back Bubble and Spray!

Extreme durability tip: You can also add 3–5% into Adhesion Promoter/Sole Flex and Finishers to reinforce the entire system (synthetics + high-wear projects).

For best performance, use crosslinked coatings within 4–6 hours. If it sits longer, remix a fresh batch.

Yes. KixKote Brush Boost (Pro Brush Booster) is the go-to additive for brushing: smoother flow, better coverage, and less visible brush texture — while keeping durability strong.

KixKote Soft Feel is mixed at 3–5% to soften hand-feel and keep coatings flexible (add to paint or finishers). Soft Feel is also great for coloring suede or fabrics, mix into paint, thin paint/soft feel mix with about 3% water and apply. This will allow for better absorbtion into fibers of the material.

KixKote Thick Sauce (Thickener) increases viscosity for better control during fine detail work (small lines, crisp edges, hand-painted accents).

Protection is similar — the difference is sheen. Matte = stealth, Semi Gloss = balanced glow, Gloss = high shine.

Shop: Matte · Semi Gloss · Gloss

Kits are curated to remove guesswork—depending on the kit, you’ll get paints, finishers, adhesion/primers, and/or additives. Choose a kit based on the surfaces you’re painting (leather vs synthetics vs soles).

Shop all: Kits & Bundles

Cracking usually comes from coats that are too thick or under-cured—switch to thinner coats and allow proper dry time. Peeling usually means the surface needs stronger adhesion (common on synthetics/soles)—use the right primer system and recoat with thin layers.

Handle lightly after 24 hours. For full durability, allow about 72 hours before heavy flex and wear.

Order directly at KixKote.com.