The ultimate guide
for painting midsoles

A step-by-step guide

How do I paint my midsoles? A step-by-step guide

Want to give your sneakers a fresh, unique look? Painting your midsoles is a fantastic way to achieve this! Below is a detailed guide to painting midsoles, focusing on the essential steps, tips, and tricks. Perfect for both beginners and experienced sneakerheads. Here, we'll teach you how to paint midsoles and provide THE answer to the question "how do I paint my midsoles?"

Supplies:

How do I prepare the midsole?

Step 1: Preparation

  1. Cleaning and Stripping : Start by removing the old paint layers. Use the Essential Deglazer to carefully strip the paint or factory finish. Work in sections, ensuring the entire surface is covered. Take your time!
  2. Masking : Use masking tape to mask off the areas you don't want to paint, such as the upper part of the sneaker and the sole. This creates clean, professional lines. You can use masking tape for this.

Step 2: The painting process

  1. Color selection : Decide which colors you want to use. For multicolor midsoles, plan your design in advance.
  2. Thin Coats : Applying multiple thin coats is crucial. This prevents cracking and ensures a more durable finish. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
  3. Detail work : Use a fine brush for detailed work and clean edges. Be patient and precise for the best results.
  4. Masking off sections : Use tape to separate different color sections. Make sure the paint is dry before applying the tape to prevent it from coming off.
  5. Base coat : Start with the lightest color as your base. This is especially important when working with transparent or semi-transparent colors.
  6. Blending : When blending colors for a gradient effect, work quickly and blend the colors while they are still wet for a smooth transition.
Step 4: Final check and maintenance
  • Carefully remove the masking tape and let the sneakers dry completely before use.
Tips for a perfect result
  • Practice on an old pair of sneakers first to become familiar with the materials and techniques.
  • Watch tutorials and attend workshops to improve your skills.
  • Don't rush; care leads to the best results.
  • Use quality materials for long-lasting results.
Painting midsoles
Frequently Asked Questions

Drying time varies, but count on at least 20-30 minutes per coat. You can speed up the process with a heat gun or hairdryer.

It's not required, but a finisher will help the paint wear out more slowly. It's therefore highly recommended.

No. It's important to use special midsole paint that stays flexible and adheres well to the midsoles. You can find all midsole paints here.

You can also use Angelus or Alpha 6 paint for the midsoles. However, we recommend SneakersER paint for the midsoles.

You can carefully remove minor mistakes with the Essential Deglazer and a cotton swab.
That depends on the coverage you want. Usually, two to three thin coats are sufficient.
Sanding isn't always necessary, but a light sanding can help ensure even better paint adhesion.
Yes, an airbrush is an excellent tool for an even and professional finish
Use thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. A flexible paint and a finisher also help.
If the paint looks uneven, apply additional thin coats until you get even coverage.
That's definitely possible. We often recommend a neutral base coat like light gray before lightening it. It is often easier to apply a dark color over a lighter color than the other way around.