1. Determine if your leather surface has a clear shiny coating.

Most leather materials come with a clear shiny coating that prevents the paint from adhering properly to the surface. Check your leather surface to see if yours has a clear protective layer.

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2. Remove the shiny coating on your leather surface.

There are a couple of ways you can remove the shiny coating on your leather items. Most of the time all you’ll need is a soft cloth and one of the following: rubbing alcohol or acetone.

• Pour a generous amount of either onto a cloth, scrub your leather item gently, and wipe it dry.

• For thicker coatings, you can also very lightly sand your leather item with fine-grade sandpaper (600-800 grit is ideal).

Make sure the surface no longer has any protective coating on it by checking if it is matte.

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3. Remove dust, dirt, and debris from your leather surface.

If your leather does not have a shiny coating, make sure to still clean it to remove debris that may negatively affect the adhesion of your paint. The best way to clean your leather depends on how dirty it is. For simple jobs, just wipe with a cloth and warm water. If your leather needs some more love and care, then you can mix four cups of warm water (distilled water is ideal but not a must) with one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Soak a soft cloth with this solution, wring it, and wipe your leather. To get rid of the soap, wipe it again with warm water. Air-dry completely for about 30 minutes before painting.

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4. Lastly, make sure to use masking tape to cover areas you don’t want paint to get on.

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And that’s it! You’re now ready to get those creative juices flowing and customize your leather materials with Creative Nation Leather Paint.