InsightsInsightsSep 2026
Caring for Your Custom Sneakers: How to Keep Hand-Painted Art Looking Fresh
A hand-painted design sits on the surface of the shoe under a flexible sealant. Treated sensibly it lasts for years of real wear. Treated like a factory sneaker — scrubbed, machine-washed, left in a hot car — it will not.
Let them cure before the first wear
Fresh paint and finisher need time to harden fully. Give a new pair a few days out of the box before wearing, and avoid stacking anything on top of them.
If a pair arrives slightly tacky, leave it somewhere dry and airy rather than trying to speed it up with heat.
Clean gently, never aggressively
Wipe painted panels with a soft damp cloth and, if needed, a drop of mild soap. Work lightly and dry with a towel.
Never use a washing machine, acetone, alcohol, magic-eraser sponges or stiff brushes on painted areas — all of them strip sealant and pull colour with it.
- Soft cloth or soft brush only
- Mild soap and cool water
- Blot, don't scrub
- Air-dry away from radiators and sunlight
Store them properly
Keep pairs out of direct sunlight, which fades pigment, and out of damp, which affects adhesives. Room temperature and a shelf is ideal.
Use shoe trees or loose paper to hold shape. Deep creasing at flex points is the main cause of hairline cracking.
Expect wear, and plan for touch-ups
Toe boxes and flex creases show wear first. A little patina on a worn pair is normal and not a fault.
Ask your artist about touch-ups when you commission. Many will refresh their own work, and knowing that up front is worth more than trying to fix it yourself.
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