Changing shoe color

[neatshoes200]

Hi all, this may seem like another silly question, but I bought a pair of shoes in brown, instead of black, the color I wanted because it was the last one of the style in my size. Brown is okay, but I would prefer black. If I ask a shoe repairer to dye it black, will that mess up the interior (closed toe) or get dye all over? Would the dye come off over time and leave brown spots (the underlying color)? Or would it turn out so well that after it is dyed I could never tell later that it was ever brown? Neatshoes

[Guy N. Heels]

Hi all, this may seem like another silly question, but I bought a pair of shoes in brown, instead of black, the color I wanted because it was the last one of the style in my size. Brown is okay, but I would prefer black.

If I ask a shoe repairer to dye it black, will that mess up the interior (closed toe) or get dye all over?

Would the dye come off over time and leave brown spots (the underlying color)?

Or would it turn out so well that after it is dyed I could never tell later that it was ever brown?

Neatshoes

Well, the foremost question is: What material(s) are the shoes made from? If they are made of leather then dying the shoes is so easy that you could really try it yourself.

After you've obtained a good quality dye you need to remove all old finishing material, wax, oil, or other stuff that might still be on the leather. I would suggest a good scrub with saddlesoap and/or with a 70% alcohol solution. Then you simply apply the dye per the dye mfgr's instructions. A second coat may be necessary, depending upon how things turned-out with the first coat. Then you finish up with a couple of coats of top quality shoe polish like Kiwi. Always remember that it's okay to go from a lighter finish to a darker one, but not the other way.

Of course, if the shoes are made of something other than leather, all bets are off.

[shoerepairer]

If I ask a shoe repairer to dye it black, will that mess up the interior (closed toe) or get dye all over?

Most repairers would have dyed many, many pairs of shoes in there time, we have little trade secrets that should ensure that you will get a top class job, and I would be really surprised if any dye ended up inside the shoe!

Mind you with a typical preparation & dying time of around the 1 hour mark, getting it done professionally doesn’t come cheap, so DIY is a very cost effective way of doing it!

When you buy the dye also buy a fine paint brush, for doing the edges.

There are two types of dye to consider, spirit based & water based. Most spirit based dyes achieve the best results BUT it depends on the way the shoes leather has been tanned as to whether this is the best choice & your retailer “should” be able to tell you which dye to use.

Spirit based dyes soak into the upper & are true dyes, once completed they will wear as well as the original colour.

Water based dyes normally put a surface on the upper, much like a paint & dry to a flexible & hard wearing coating. Which occasionally needs touching up. This is best used on plastic, synthetic & canvas uppers.

Would the dye come off over time and leave brown spots (the underlying color)?

Under normal wear generally no, provided the uppers are maintained afterwards! Scuffing as with any upper, will need polishing or touching up.

Or would it turn out so well that after it is dyed I could never tell later that it was ever brown?

if you take your time, you will not know they have been done, allow plenty of time, don’t rush them, consider allowing for two initial coats, and a 24 hour drying time & your shoes will look as good as new!

After you've obtained a good quality dye you need to remove all old finishing material, wax, oil, or other stuff that might still be on the leather. I would suggest a good scrub with saddlesoap

Do NOT use saddlesoap, neatshoes200. Saddle soap is a preparatory compound containing mild soap and softening ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, glycerin and lanolin. Your dye will not take well to neatsfoot oil! Use metholated spirits (not white spirits) to clean of the maufacturers polishes & “glossing” but please NOT saddlesoap!

Always remember that it's okay to go from a lighter finish to a darker one, but not the other way.

Of course, if the shoes are made of something other than leather, all bets are off.

Here in the UK (not to familiar with the US market) the water based dyes I mentioned before are made by several manufacturers, the two most popular being, Dylon & Punch both are capable of dying leather, synthetics, plastics & canvas & both state you can dye black shoes white. I have lightened the shade of an upper on several occasions with positive results.

Lee

[gary0618]

I had this pair of Steve Madden Western style boots. The colour was a real pale tan, almost white. I did not really like the colour, but also did not want to spend much money. I bought a bottle of Kelly's leather dye, dark brown.

You can see the original colour on the shaft of one boot. Also you can see the brown on the foot of the same boot.

I did not like the brown colour either. I had a bottle of the same brand leather dye in black, So i used that. Now I am Happy.

Just wanted to share this with y'all.

I think the black looks great, and now they will get much more use.

[Dr. Shoe]

Nice boots Gary!!! When it comes to dying shoes or boots there is just two words... Magic Markers! They are available from specialist art shops in any colour but you can get them in most stationery outlets in black or red. No fuss, no mess and dries almost instantly and sticks to absolutely anything, even concrete. Make sure you get the proper spirit based ones not the cheapo water based one. That is what a "heel renew pen" is, it's just repackaged.

[shoerepairer]

To even the colour over the entire boot, make sure you polish them with a good black wax polish, this really seals the colour, brings them to an even shine & protects the boots at the same time. Lee

[spiker]

shoerepairer: Thanks for this thread, you've convinced me to give this a try. I've been looking for some beige shoes for a while, and haven't been able to find any I like. So, hopefully I've bought / orderered everything I need: I've ordered some white leather shoes from devab, and some Fiebling's beige shoe dye from eBay. I then went into my local Timpsons and bought some beige shoe polish and a brush. I have some meths already as I have a camping stove that runs on it. I there anything I've forgotten? Plus are there any tips you can give me? I'm a bit nervous about trashing a brand new pair of shoes! Thanks very much. Spiker.

[shoerepairer]

spiker, can you post a link to the shoes you have brought?

[spiker]

shoerapairer, thanks for your reply.

I can't link to them on devab at the moment as it is down for maintenance. They're Pleasers, and I'm pretty sure they're Domina 420s (the order confirmation doesn't say either). I ordered white leather.

Spiker.

[shoerepairer]

your out of luck spiker, these are made from Patent leather, the dye you have brought will not soak into the leather, it will simply swim around on the top of them like oil on water. Patent is one of the few leathers that doesn't take dying very well. you will need to sand them down to make them matt & then use a water based dye, not spirit as you have brought. even then with patent shoes the dye rarely takes to well, and will often peel at a later stage. Lee

[shoerepairer]

as a rule of thumb, (although there are exceptions, which is why I advice asking a repairer who sells dyes for advice as to which dye to buy) if the leather reflects light you need water based dye & if they have a matt finish then the spirit based dye will give the best results. two leather to avoid with dying are metallic finishes like dance shoes or Patent leathers. Lee

[spiker]

Oh well, I guess I've got myself a new pair of white shoes then.

Thanks for your response...did you say before that there are dyes that work on patent? (I also have a pair of patent white so I could dye those instead)

Thanks very much for your help.

Spiker.

P.S. Devab is back up now so the link is here

[shoerepairer]

Ignore my "your out of luck" reply. Its difficult to tell 100% from the link you just posted but it looks like these are normal leather & should dye OK HOWEVER NOT WITH THE DYE YOU HAVE! because these reflect light so well you will need a water based paint on dye & not the spirit based soak in dye you have purchased. Lee

[spiker]

Thanks again for your help. I can't find any dyes that say they're water based, do you have any brands you can recommend? Is it worth me trying the dye I've got, or will that damage the shoes? Regards, Spiker.

[shoerepairer]

the dye you've got will be C**p on these, DON'T even go there! I see from your profile your in England, but your purchases are in dollars "IF" you're from the UK (the only brands I am familiar with) theres two main brands available, Punch Lady Esquire (my preferred) & Dylon shoe colour. I think woolworths might stock these or your local independent repairer will for sure! good luck, be sure to let us know how you get on! Lee

[spiker]

Once again, thank you for your response. I am in the UK (near Birmingham), so I'll pop down to Timpsons and see what they've got. I haven't received the shoes yet, I'll let you know how I get on for sure. Thanks again, without your help I wouldn't have even considered tackling this. Spiker.

[at9]

I saw this Punch dye in a local shop. (Ebay URL given only for reference - I have no connection with them - just needed a picture)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PUNCH-BLACK-LEATHER-SHOE-DYE-50-MLrenew-old-shoes-boots_W0QQitemZ370090965431QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370090965431&_trkparms=72%3A1295%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Does anyone know if it's water or spirit based? Says it's for leather only so I'm guessing spirit based which is what I want. Just looking for confirmation before I make a mess of the job.

[shoerepairer]

Punch make 3 dyes

• Water based dye (Lady Esquire) which will colour, leather, plastic & canvas & can be mixed to produce any shade or colour.

• Spirit based (shown) Leather dye. the leather dye is also suitable for Nubuck.

• Suede dye, which does exactly what it says on the box! Suede!

however the spirit based leather dye is only really good, if the shoes do not reflect light as this leather will allow it to soak in.

Lee

[shoerepairer]

Also! I retail Punch leather dye at £2.95 so make sure you don't buy it from Ebay! as from this supplier (I know the image was for reference, but this is for anyone reading this considering dying) it would cost £5.35 inc postage. Make sure you buy it locally, it will save you a couple of pounds at least! Lee

[at9]

Lee, thanks for the info. Woolworths have the dye locally for £3.45 so that's not too bad. The ankle boots I want to dye are ordinary leather, they only shine if they are well polished:smile: . Am I right to clean them carefully with meths (or isopropyl alchohol) before dyeing? Or is it better to use detergent and water and then allow them to dry thoroughly.

[shoerepairer]

Use meths (NOT WHITE SPIRIT) to clean them, its good for removing old polish (because it doesn't take to well to waxes) & shouldn't bring any harm to the leather. however if any of the shoe is plastic, try the meths in a small inconspicuous place first to make sure it doesn't react with the surface coating. Don't use detergents or water on them, as this can cause the leather to dry out, go hard & shorten their life span. Simple wipe over with meths & dye, don't over complicate the process! use a small artists brush for the edges & the brush supplied for the main areas. Pack the shoes with paper, to help lift out the creases in the uppers & once dyed & polished spray with a protector to help keep them in tip top condition. Lee