So I’ve been wanting to customize a pair of Air Force 1s for a while, and I finally decided to go for it. I wanted something kinda low-key but still unique, so I went with a black and brown color scheme. “Air Force 1 black brown” – that was my search term, and that’s what I was gonna make.

First, I grabbed a pair of all-black Air Force 1s. Gotta start with a solid base, you know? Making sure they were clean and ready to go was the first step.
Then came the fun part – picking out the brown paint. I didn’t want anything too crazy, just a nice, rich, earthy tone. I spent a good hour at the craft store just staring at different shades of brown acrylic paint. Finally, found one that looked perfect – not too dark, not too light, just right.
Before I started painting, I taped off all the areas I wanted to stay black. This was probably the most tedious part. I used painter’s tape, the blue stuff, and made sure every edge was super crisp. Precision is key here, people!
The Painting Process
- I applied the brown paint in thin, even coats. No globs! I learned that the hard way on a previous project…
- Between coats, I used a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. Ain’t nobody got time to wait around all day.
- I think I did about three coats in total, just to make sure the color was solid and even.
Once the paint was completely dry, I carefully peeled off the tape. This is the most satisfying part, honestly. Seeing those clean lines emerge is just chef’s kiss.
Finally, I sprayed the whole shoe with a clear acrylic sealer. This helps protect the paint and makes the shoes more durable. Gotta keep those custom kicks looking fresh, right?

And that’s it! My black and brown Air Force 1s were done. I’m pretty stoked with how they turned out. They’re exactly what I was picturing in my head. It’s cool to have a pair of shoes that nobody else has, and it was a fun little project to do.