Changing color of leather shoes

[LadyBarbossa]

I've a pair of bone colored shoes I purchased a year and a half ago for a gown I no longer have and most likely will never used these shoes again in the bone color.

So... now I want to change them from bone to black. I want the heel though to be red.

Anyone have suggestions? Ideas? what works, what doesn't? Must I strip the color? Or just use a black leather dye over the white?

Help? Please?

~Lady B

[michaelsbagley]

I don't do all that much leather dyeing... So I am not an expert, so please take this with a huge grain of salt...

But from what I do know of leather dyes, is that they are almost always "sealed" in with some sort of sealant or leather conditioner... Which means that dyed leather will most likely NOT take another colour (darker or lighter) over it. I have heard occassional stories where people have had some luck dyeing a darker colour over a lighter colour, but more often than not, it is a bitch rant or horror story I hear when people attempt over-dyeing with leather.

I guarantee this is not the answer you wanted, maybe someone with more leather dyeing experience than I have will pipe up with some method or means of doing this successfully.

[Matty Bottles]

I've had some success removing dye with the strongest rubbing alochol I could find - something crazy like 90% - and it really did pull most of the dye off. I have tried to dye anything over it, though.

[pyrateleather]

Tandy sells a product called deglazer that can be used before re-dying to remove finishes, etc... I think it is alcohol based so Bloody Jack's technique would probably work too.

Since you are starting with a light color and going darker I don't see why you couldn't dye them black... it may take a couple of coats to get an even finish. If you were starting with darker leather & trying to get a lighter color it would be more difficult for sure.

[Kenneth]

Yes Yes.....what he said!! Deglaze! Dye! Super easy......If you dont want to buy deglazer......bust out yer nail polish remover!! About the same thing....Tandy has a nice antique black leather dye. It's got glaze in it and gives off a nice tone..one step process..

[LadyBarbossa]

Cute, Kenneth.

Thank ye, mates.

I shall take a look for it 'round here. The leather places I am aware of were washed out so.... but there be rumor there be another one on the otherside of town NOT washed out. I'll give this a shot.

I like my pair o' shoes and don't want to be rid of them. Figured attemptin' t' make them more of the old style might help... well, sort of.

Thank ye, mates. Will give this a shot.

Deglazer. Gotcha.

I'm presumin' I'll be needin' protective geer t' do this?

~Lady B

[DocF225]

I'd suggest gloves and eye protection. Deglazer is a acetone/ketone based chemical which isn't too good fer yer skin. And not good at all in yer eyes.

[LadyBarbossa]

Be ye kiddin'?!?!

That type o' stuff I used upon m' nails a few times t' remove fignernail polish if needed!

That be hilarious.

But I shall take int' consideration th' protection.

Thank ye, mates.

~Lady B

:angry:

[LadyBarbossa]

Aye, the acetone works great thus far.

I've the black dye but having troubles locating a red dye. Sucks when the only other leather store was washed out!

Question though with the red dye. Good brand anyone recommends? And should I be concered about coloring if I want it to match or close enough to my crimson outfit?

~Lady B

[Graydog]

50 different leather dye colors, choose what you want.

[Kenneth]

Ahem...

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/product...ts.asp?dept=172

[LadyBarbossa]

The Acetone is working but apparently I'm not using the right utensil to take off the finish.

Ideas on what I can use that won't damage the leather? I used a soft bristle brush, wash rag, cotton balls, Qtips(to get into those hard to reach places).... but the finish is not wanting to come off so easily.

~Lady B

[LadyBarbossa]

Ok... be there a certain way to do this?

Perhaps I'm doing this wrong? I'm using a washcloth with 100% acetone, been working on this for a while (weeks it seems) and the bone finish is slightly coming off! But there is still way too much bone finish on here that I can't get to the raw skin.

Is there a particular technique I'm suppose to be using? Particular brush? Do I soak them or not?

Ahh! Now I can't fin the black dye!

Oh, this is lovely.

HELP!

~Lady B

[Kenneth]

Yer only wanting to deglaze, then dye ....right over the bone color..If you want to strip the old color off completly you have to use a reducer.. Just rub the deglazer on, wait a tick, poke the leather with yer finger and see if it's tacky, then rub in yer dye like yer shining shoes. Apply a second coat after a few minutes and they should look really good.. This is what I do and it works for me......

[LadyBarbossa]

Ok, I'll take yo'r word fo' it, Kenneth.

The Shoe Repair guy said to get down to the raw leather and this is proving to be more than a problem.

I shall give this a shot then. May run out here in a bit to get some dye since I can't find my damn bottle of black dye. Too many freakin' projects going on!

I'm presuming it won't be a perfect black? Look a little distressed?

~Lady B

[LadyBarbossa]

Haha! It worked! Thank ye, Kenneth! I was about to rub my fingers raw to get to the leather.

They turned out fantastic! Now... to seek out the red and turn the heels red!

Huzzah! This look wicked, mates!

Ya know... got me thinkin'... ya know yo'r a reenactor or any historical portrayer when you spend more money on yo'r period clothing than yo'r own modern every day clothes!

Again, thank ye, Kenneth! This are right nice! Not too shiney, but they are rather nice looking.

~Lady B