Painting on a Leather Football

The majority of footballs are made from a synthetic leather that provides a better grip, especially in the rain. Still, real leather footballs are often given away with the team or player's name and dates for a season or game painted on as commemorative items. The most difficult part of this task, though, is selecting the right paint that bonds with the leather and leaves a lasting finish.

Things You'll Need

  • Acrylic paint
  • Wool dauber
  • Leather bleach
  • Water
  • Sponge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the leather with a solution of 1 ounce leather bleach for every pint of water. Apply with a sponge. Don't soak the leather. Let it dry naturally.

    • 2

      Mix an equal amount of the water-based acrylic paint and water onto the football using a wool dauber. Wool daubers act like paint brushes and come in variety of sizes. Use a large one for big areas of color and smaller ones for lettering.

    • 3

      Apply a second coat of the water-and-paint solution. Leave to dry for a few hours.

    • 4

      Paint on the design again. This time, though, use undiluted paint to achieve a crisp bright color.