--- title: "Sneaker Customization Process: How I Paint Your Kicks" description: "Get a raw look at my sneaker customization process, from acetone deglazing to hand-painted details and protective sealing. See how I create custom kicks." canonical: https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/behind-the-scenes-the-process last_updated: 2025-09-19 --- # Sneaker Customization: The Process Behind Your Kicks Tribe Verified · Custom sneaker artist based in Hyderabad By [Unhinged Customs](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms) · Based in Hyderabad; ships across India · ₹3,000 per pair (estimate) Part of [Custom Sneaker Art](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/gallery) Ever wonder what happens to your shoes once they land on my workbench. Here is a look at the technical process behind creating your custom sneaker art. ## Photos and videos - ![A custom pair of Gryffindor-themed Air Force 1s, featuring various motifs from the Harry Potter world like the sorting hat, a broomstick, and even Dobby.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/02078d06-5b3e-4f6d-b7c4-fac7b186514d) - ![A close-up of the Harry Potter doodles. I'd love to make a whole collection with designs for all four Hogwarts houses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/112deac2-9ef1-44c5-a01d-0991671bb894) - ![The back view of the Gryffindor AF1s, showing the house crest.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c7b0cf7-69bb-4af0-962c-d27cb4a363a1) - ![Holding up the completed Harry Potter custom. The red and gold color scheme is classic Gryffindor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eab70a59-c2d8-4a9c-af1a-ca9d0d58f784) - ![Another angle of the Gryffindor Air Force 1s. A perfect pair for any Potterhead.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb6fb4a7-10c2-4469-a768-1f142573682c) - [Video: A process video of the Harry Potter custom, showing the painting of the tiny, detailed doodles. Send this to the Harry Potter fan in your life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e40a287-2827-4304-bccc-af5bf03932d3) - [Video: A compilation showing the variety of my work. I paint portraits, cartoons, landscapes, and pretty much anything you can dream of.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/657bca1a-04b1-4fab-9fe4-8d3f508d0355) - [Video: A reminder to always pay attention to the little details. Painting the edges of the leather panels gives the final custom a much cleaner, more professional look.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d2514e6-9852-4a7b-bea4-6fdabddf357a) ## About Behind The Scenes: The Process Most people see the finished product, but the real work is in the prep. Every pair goes through a deep clean with acetone to strip the factory finish, which is the only way the paint actually bonds to the leather. I do not skip steps here because a custom is only as good as the surface it sits on. A lot of folks ask if I just paint over the leather. If I did that, the art would crack and peel after one wear. The process starts with deglazing using pure acetone to remove the factory protective coating. This is the unglamorous, chemical-heavy part that ensures your design stays put. Once the base is prepped, I start layering. Whether it is a character portrait or a complex landscape, I use Angelus Direct leather paints applied in thin, consistent layers. For portraits or anime scenes, I switch to 000-sized brushes for those micro-details. This takes patience, especially when waiting for each layer to dry completely before adding the next. If I rush this, the colors muddy up and lose their pop. Finally, the finish. I use different top coats depending on the look, ranging from matte to high-gloss, and add scratch-resistant sealers for protection against the elements. If I am working on mesh or canvas, I mix in additives like GAC-900 to keep the material flexible so the shoe does not feel like a stiff board on your foot. It is a slow, methodical grind, but seeing the reaction when a client opens their box makes every hour of detail work worth it. ## About Unhinged Customs I have been painting kicks for nearly a decade, and honestly, every new pair still gives me a rush. I am just a fan making art for other fans, whether that is a complex anime piece or a simple doodle. Let me know what you want on your sneakers. [See all of Unhinged Customs's services](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms) ## More from Custom Sneaker Art by Unhinged Customs - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/featured) - [Anime & Manga Mania](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/anime-manga-mania) - [Cartoon & Comic Book Kicks](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/cartoon-comic-book-kicks) - [For the Love of the Game (Sports Tributes)](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/for-the-love-of-the-game-sports-tributes) - [Your Story, Your Kicks (Personalized & Doodle Art)](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/your-story-your-kicks-personalized-doodle-art) - [Kids' Corner](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/kids-corner) - [Unique Styles & Finishes](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/unique-styles-finishes) - [Music & Band Tributes](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/music-band-tributes) - [Brand Collabs & Live Events](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/brand-collabs-live-events) - [Luxury Sneaker Refurbishment](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-sneaker-art/luxury-sneaker-refurbishment) ## More services by Unhinged Customs - [Custom Hand-Painted Accessories](https://mytribe.in/unhingedcustoms/custom-hand-painted-accessories) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Art: Our Sneaker Customisation Process](https://mytribe.in/knickgasm/custom-hand-painted-apparel/behind-the-art) by Knickgasm · Custom Hand-Painted Apparel · Ships across India; Studio in Ghatkopar West, Mumbai - [The Artist's Corner: My Sneaker Customization Process](https://mytribe.in/ridhiimakkar/wearable-art-fashion-customization/the-artist-s-corner-my-process-musings) by Ridhii Makkar · Wearable Art & Fashion Customization · Ships across India - [My Creative Process: Behind the Scenes of Custom Art](https://mytribe.in/brushtler/bespoke-hand-painting-on-personal-items/the-artist-at-work) by Sanaya Irani · Bespoke Hand-Painting on Personal Items · Accepts items for custom painting and ships across India - [Custom Sneaker Art for Your Unique Style](https://mytribe.in/cause_ilove_art/hand-painted-product-customization/custom-sneaker-art) by Shweta Rane · Hand-Painted Product Customization · Ships across India - [Behind the Brush: How I Create Custom Art](https://mytribe.in/creativo_paints/custom-hand-painted-apparel/behind-the-brush) by Megha · Custom Hand-Painted Apparel · Ships across India - [Personalized Sneakers and Custom Hand-Painted Footwear](https://mytribe.in/alartz_/custom-hand-painted-wearables-goods/personalized-sneakers-footwear) by Al Artz · Custom Hand-Painted Wearables & Goods · Accepts and ships custom orders across India ## Book To book Unhinged Customs, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Rahul%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20the%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20page%20and%20want%20to%20discuss%20a%20custom%20pair.)