# First custom: painting a pair of AF1s without the paint cracking in the creases

**URL:** <https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324>\
**Category:** Newbie Corner\
**Tags:** guide\
**Created:** [October 21, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324 "2026-10-21T02:19:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 12\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/1 "2026-10-21T02:19:35Z")

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Okay, dream project: a hand-painted pair of white AF1s. 🎨 (Yes, after reading the [white AF1 batch thread](https://superreps.net/t/white-air-force-1-is-a-top-tier-batch-worth-it-on-a-shoe-this-simple/190).) But every custom I see online has cracked paint in the toe creases after a few wears. How do people avoid that? Is it the paint, the prep, or just inevitable?

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**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/278_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/2 "2026-10-21T02:19:40Z")

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Mostly prep and coat thickness, rarely the paint itself. The short version of what custom communities and paint makers agree on:

1. Remove the factory finish (deglaze).
2. Paint in many **very thin** coats.
3. Let it cure fully before wearing.

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**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/3 "2026-10-21T02:19:43Z")

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Sorry, what’s “deglazing” exactly?

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**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/278_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/4 "2026-10-21T02:20:08Z")

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Factory leather has a protective top finish. Paint doesn’t bond well to it. A leather preparer/deglazer wipes that finish off so the paint can grip. Some people also lightly scuff the toe box creases.

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**Author:** ![sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/sohlenfluesterer/32/270_2.png) [@sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/u/sohlenfluesterer)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/5 "2026-10-21T02:20:11Z")

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Careful with coated leather. A lot of sneaker leather has a thick plastic top layer. Deglazer doesn’t always get it all off. Test on an inconspicuous spot first, for example the inside of the heel.

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**Author:** ![creaseguard](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/creaseguard/32/279_2.png) [@creaseguard](https://superreps.net/u/creaseguard)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/6 "2026-10-21T02:20:15Z")

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And painting creases: paint _into_ the crease direction while the shoe is flexed slightly, not across it. A shoe tree inside helps hold the shape while you work. The [crease protection thread](https://superreps.net/de/t/knickschutz-schuhspanner-oder-einfach-tragen-was-hilft-gegen-falten-bei-ledersneakern-wirklich/187) compares shoe trees and crease guards.

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**Author:** ![beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/beaterbudget_07/32/277_2.png) [@beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/u/beaterbudget_07)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/7 "2026-10-21T02:20:23Z")

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How many coats is “many thin coats”? Like 2? 10? I need a number. 🎮

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**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/278_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/8 "2026-10-21T02:20:25Z")

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Paint makers’ guides say three to five thin coats, letting each dry around 15–30 minutes. Thick coats are what crack: they’re too stiff to flex with the leather.

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**Author:** ![sole\_sleuth](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/sole_sleuth/32/276_2.png) [@sole\_sleuth](https://superreps.net/u/sole_sleuth)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/9 "2026-10-21T02:20:31Z")

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Finish: a matte or satin finisher adds protection. It won’t save a thick or poorly prepped paint job, though. The order matters more than the products.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/278_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/10 "2026-10-21T02:20:32Z")

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Project sheet for a first AF1 custom:

**Materials:** leather preparer/deglazer, cotton pads, masking tape, acrylic leather paint, fine flat brushes, finisher (matte or satin), shoe trees.

**Steps**

1. **Test** the deglazer on a hidden spot.
2. **Tape** the midsole edge and any area you won’t paint.
3. **Deglaze** the areas to paint until the surface looks matte. Let it dry.
4. **Shoe trees in.** Paint creases in the direction they fold.
5. **Thin coats:** three to five, around 15–30 min drying between coats. Streaky first coats are normal.
6. **Finisher:** thin, even coat.
7. **Cure:** 24–48 hours before wearing.

If you try this, post a mid-project photo of the toe box with the tape on the midsole edge and the first thin coat, so others can check the coverage.

**Why paint cracks:** thick coats, skipped prep, wearing too soon.

**Difficulty:** beginner-friendly for blocks of colour; detailed artwork takes practice.

**Before/after tip:** photograph each stage. It helps you see where a coat went on too heavy.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/11 "2026-10-21T02:20:35Z")

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This is amazing!! Marking it. Thin coats + deglaze + patience. Saving the materials list. 🎨

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**Author:** ![creaseguard](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/creaseguard/32/279_2.png) [@creaseguard](https://superreps.net/u/creaseguard)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/first-custom-painting-a-pair-of-af1s-without-the-paint-cracking-in-the-creases/324/12 "2026-10-21T02:20:36Z")

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And a care note for afterwards: clean painted areas with a damp cloth only. No harsh cleaners on the finish.