Angelus is a renowned company and has had a growing reputation since 1917. If you know anything about them already, then you know that their products are of the highest quality, and most importantly, you know that they last. Even with this is being said, people do still have worries or questions about how durable the products are.
So, is Angelus Leather Paint waterproof? Yes! Once the paint is completely dry, it will be entirely waterproof. You won’t experience any wear or tear from Angelus paint, or cracking. So whether you live in a wet country or not, you can have peace of mind that Angelus has designed their products for expert longevity.
The paint can not only survive rain, but it can also survive snow, sun, or any other factor that will be thrown at it. The Angelus company was founded by Paul. T Angelos and his brothers George and Louie. They set out to make products in the correct way after being unsatisfied with the then-currently available boot polish, and the same work ethic has been carried on to the present day.
How to Use Angelus Acrylic Leather Paint
Angelus acrylic leather paint is fairly straightforward to use, however, the methods will vary slightly depending on the specific product. It is suitable for mass production and crafted work, but it’s more useful to know how to use the paint for crafts. Different materials will require different techniques and tools to make sure the product sticks, so let’s get into it.
Since the paint is typically designed for leather, we’ll start here. It can be applied with either a paintbrush, a spray gun, an old rag, or even sheep wool. Generally, there is no buffing required. Most people use Angelus Paint on their shoes, more specifically their Nike Air Force 1’s.
Customizing Air Force’s has actually become really popular, and people pay a good amount of money for them. If you don’t want too much detail, it’s pretty easy to paint the logo or small areas yourself.
Start by prepping the leather with the Angelus Deglazer and Preparer. If you’re working with dark coloured leather, we’d recommend putting on a first coat of white paint before adding the final colour, this will help the end results show up more vividly. Once this is dry, you can apply the next layer. Apply multiple coats, making sure there are no streaks, then seal with a finisher.
I recommend waiting around 10-20 minutes for each coat to dry, before applying the next one. If you don’t allow enough time for the paint to dry, it will pile up and smear, which will cause it to clump and not layer on properly.
Leather-based, and other shoes can be painted in the same method as written above, but there is a different technique for painting the soles.
The rubber part of the soles should never be painted with Angelus paints. It is not made for this and the results won’t come out as planned. However, you can use a translucent formula called Angelus Sole Bright, and then combine it with Angelus Dye to create a color.
To paint soles, you should first paint inside all of the crevices and then dab any excess paint away. Once this has dried, you can paint the outer part of the sole. This is to prevent gaps or consistencies – but before this, wipe down the soles with a cotton bud to remove any dirt, which will make sure the paint sticks properly.
Lastly, here’s how to paint non-porous surfaces such as glass or plastic. Since Angelus paint is not originally designed for this either, you will need to combine it in a 50/50 formula with Hard-2. This allows the paint to adhere to non-porous materials.
Then, simply apply a layer of the mixture onto the plastic/glass and wait for it to dry before applying the second coat. Apply more only if needed. As always, seal it off with a finisher.
Is Angelus Acrylic Finisher Waterproof?
Angelus acrylic finisher is water-resistant and will not smear, crack, or peel. With this being said, there can be no guarantee that it is 100% waterproof. Meaning that the paint will not be damaged by the rain, but it cannot always make non-waterproof substances waterproof. For example, if your shoes are not waterproof before applying the formula, Angelus finisher is not an end-all fix and can not be replaced with a waterproof sealant.
It is important to bear in mind that water resistance implies having a good level of tolerance towards wet conditions, but it doesn’t mean it’s full proof. Therefore it can be exposed to moderate amounts of rain/moisture, but not an extreme amount.
Nonetheless, Angelus is a popular brand as it is known for its flexible yet strong formula. Angelus acrylic finisher can be used on a variety of smooth leather surfaces including saddles, shoes, handbags, luggage, or belts, leaving a uniform finish. Note that this finisher can only be used on smooth leathers. It is not suitable for suede.
Is Angelus Leather Paint Water-Based?
Yes, Angelus leather paint is water-based and acrylic based. Its formula combines a strong and flexible paint coating designed to recolour your leather. Since the paint is water-based it is also non-toxic and safe to use.
Is Angelus Leather Paint Permanent?
Angelus has different products and although they are all designed to be permanent, some are more permanent than others.
To start, Angelus Paint is used to give a transparent coat or a recoloring to your existing leather items, this is permanent. However, the product does state that it works best on smooth leathers, which means the results aren’t as satisfactory on rough leathers.
The Angelus dye is the most permanent product. The difference here which some people may not like is that the dye is alcohol-based, however, it is extremely high quality and durable. The product comes with a company guarantee to leave a lasting colour that will not fade, smear, or wash off.
Which option you choose will really depend on how you want the finished item to look or what the item is being used for. The regular paint will offer more of a shine than the dye will, but the dye is likely more resilient.
How to Seal Angelus Leather Paint
After you’ve applied Angelus Leather Paint, the last step is to seal it off with a finisher. Before doing this, make sure that the leather is clean and dry. If it’s not, the finisher won’t be able to adhere properly and won’t offer the same protection. You should also ensure that the surface your leather item is on is also clean and dry.
Then, seal the paint in bursts. This can be done with either a spray finisher or a paint finisher, but either way, you want to make sure that your layers are not too thick. So, only spray/paint a light dusting on each time and wait for the product to dry before adding the next layer.
Generally, using Angelus paint alone works perfectly fine. Even without the finisher, you will not need to worry about peeling, cracking, or any other sort of damage, however, the finisher does add a more glossy looking finish which some people prefer. Or, if your item is going to be exposed to harsh conditions, it is best to be safe and apply a finishing seal.
Final Thoughts
Once Angelus paint is fully dry, it is completely waterproof and resistant to the outdoors and external factors. Other types of Angelus products may only be water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, so you should always read the description properly before purchasing.
With this being said, Angelus products need time to cure before encountering water. Without sufficient time to dry, or without a sufficient finisher, the formula will not be as durable.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your Angelus Leather Paint project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
