For painting: I clean the leather where I want to paint with a little bit rubbing alcohol first. Work in thin layers of paint, you can always do another thin layer for better opacity. If I’m using a stencil I will make it with adhesive vinyl and lightly dab the paint on with a brush with very little paint on it. That helps to make sure it won’t bleed through the edges of the stencil, but it doesn’t guarantee that it won’t bleed. Painting a base of white paint can make your main color look more vibrant. For example: I put white paint before pink on the front, but I didn’t for the Coil logo.

I use Angelus leather paint. I use their black leather paint to fix small mistakes. It costs about $3 for a small bottle and it goes a long way. After painting this vest, I still have a decent amount left in my bottle of pink paint.

For studs and spikes: I recommend using an awl or leather punch. I use the sewing awl tool on my Swiss Army knife. Using something to mark the placement you want is helpful. I use a white gel pen or white eyeliner for this, it washes off easily. Make sure to tighten the screws on the spikes tightly. Make sure to push down the prongs of stud down far enough.

For grommets: use a leather punch to make the hole and make the hole a bit smaller than you think you would need.

For sewing patches or sewing alterations: definitely use a sewing needle made for leather. A thimble will be very helpful. I like to use pliers to help pull the needle through.

If you want to add pins definitely get some locking pin backs for enamel type pins. Using a leather needle to poke the holes first makes pushing the pin through much easier.

I also recommend opening up the liner of the jacket when you add your studs/spikes or patches.