Changing shoe color

neatshoes200 · 2nd August 2008, 08:38

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 · 2nd August 2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 5th August 2008, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatshoes200

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatshoes200

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatshoes200

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!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy N. Heels

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!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy N. Heels

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy N. Heels

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 · 21st September 2008, 22:29

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.

SteveMaddenWesternBoots.jpg

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

Dr. Shoe · 22nd September 2008, 06:34

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 · 22nd September 2008, 12:19

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 · 30th September 2008, 08:36

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 · 2nd October 2008, 12:49

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

spiker · 3rd October 2008, 07:36

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 · 3rd October 2008, 10:17

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