Paint to use on leather?

[Wenyce]

I have a project I'm working on, I'm hand painting women's black leather boots , but I'm not sure of how to go about this, I would like to know what type (poly, etc..) paint should I buy, I would imagine oil based paint would be good since these are boots (just in case it rains) or if not maybe any old paint with a coating on top? But not sure what type of coating would be somewhat flexible. As u can see I'm really not sure even how to get started... Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Slappy]

I'd find out what they use on NFL footballs  as that stuff takes the wet ,abuse,scuffing ,swelling ( inflation )

 

[peter halle]

Here is a link for you:  http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/leather-dye/leather-dye.aspx

Peter

 

[JSlovic]

Ive been out of the leather business for a while but will share what i can. Feibings is great dye for undyed or natural leather. They might make a paint now.  On finished leather like you describe you need good adhesion and flexiblity.  Acrylics offer flexiblity but you might need to scuff the surface
You can also top coat with a flexible lacquer, thin coats and be sure to do a
Test if you can

 

[upscale]

Here is a link for you:  http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/leather-dye/leather-dye.aspx

I've been carving and painting leather projects for a number of years. The dyes you've got listed above need a finish on them such as Fiebing's Saddle Lac or Leather Sheen. I can't however, vouch that they will protect dyes and stains from the harsh conditions that boots might experience.

 

[Wenyce]

Ive been out of the leather business for a while but will share what i can. Feibings is great dye for undyed or natural leather. They might make a paint now.  On finished leather like you describe you need good adhesion and flexiblity.  Acrylics offer flexiblity but you might need to scuff the surface
You can also top coat with a flexible lacquer, thin coats and be sure to do a
Test if you can

Thanks I was thinking the same thing, top coating with a flexible lacquer, I'll have to do some research on flexible lacquers,

@ upscale, thanks I didn't know that was required.

For some reason when I think dyes I think messy, this project would have me paint the boots in about 5 different colors, imagine something like this

For some reason I think the dye wouldn't give me precision because it would soak into the leather instead of let's say top coat that would lay on top that's why I think maybe an acrylic and a coat would be best process.. ? But I'm not sure that's why I was hoping someone had some experience in that..

 

[JSlovic]

You're right dye is sort of like watercolor and difficult to keep a sharp edge
Another thought would be to airbrush a lacquer it might be easier to handle

Good luck

 

[peter halle]

A Google search about painting leather seems to indicate that acrylic paints work for shoes.

Peter

 

[Wenyce]

A Google search about painting leather seems to indicate that acrylic paints work for shoes.

Peter

Thanks I saw that as well I was wondering more towards a coating to protect the paint, that fiebing's saddle lac seems like the way to go. Thanks again guys, I'd say I'd report back with some pics, but I don't think many guys would be interested.