All About Dying Suede

Suede -- absolutely lovely stuff but once you paint it (which you can do), all that softness and subtle, variagated response to light disappears. Now, this can be a good thing if you suede shoes or purse are old and worn.

But what if you just want to change the color? I have found n excellent answer to that question and it's called Angelus Suede Dye.(You can find it online -- I buy mine from a site called www.turtlefeathers.net.) I have used it before and written about it here, and last week I tried a new project, a pair of ultra-discounted Ugg boots.

I got these awhile back for $39.99 from Decker's Factory Outlet Store in Ventura, CA, which also carrys Teva and Simple brands. (They don't have a website, but if you Google "Deckers Ventura" you'll find info and maps.) You can probably find other Uggs bargains online, if you're interested, since this is the time of year when no one else is buying warm fuzzy boots!

Anyway, these boots were a perfectly decent color, but since my last pair of Uggs (which I wore to a frazzle -- it isn't as warm here on the central California coast as you might think...) was purple, I couldn't very well switch to a plain "sand" color.

I decided to aim for a dusty rose and looked through the Angelus colors. No dusty rose. But there was a shade called Wine and advice on using their Neutral dye to lighten other colors. So I bought two bottles of Wine and one of Neutral to mix together.

Here are two VITAL tips about dying suede. First, wear latex gloves! Unlike the Lumiere paint I work with all the time, suede dye does not wash off with a little soap and scrubbing! It lasts and lasts and alarms your friends and family when they see the scary splotches of colors on your hands.

Second tip: Be prepared to do three coats. The reason for this is that it's hard to get the dye to absorb evenly, but three coats seems to be the key.  I let each coat dry overnight. For these boots, after the first coat, I didn't think the color was rose-like enough, so I poured in a bottle of Lilac suede dye that I had leftover from a previous project. Two coats later, I had a pair of crushed-raspberry Uggs to die for, pun intended.

As you can see, I also applied the dye to the rubber sole. It seemed to work pretty well, but I'll have to let you know how it wears over time.  I have these boots on right now and I love them! The color makes my feet happy!

Destiny has also used the Angelus Suede Dye on a shoulder bag she painted. She loved the contrast of the suede and smooth-leather panels, but felt the gray just had to go.

Now, another key factor in dying suede -- as in dying fabric -- is taking into account the existing color. Dye penetrates the leather (or fabric), unlike paint, which creates a layer over it. So whatever color you start with needs either to be factored into the color you want to get, or be overwhelmed by it.

I factored the slight sand color of my Uggs into my color choice; Destiny chose the overwhelm method and dyed the suede areas on this purse a deep purple, which she got by adding a little black suede dye to a bottle of Lilac.

By the way, she did the top section with Neopaque Black topped with Royal Purple Glitter It! The lower panel is done in several shades of Lumiere. (She has this one for sale in her Etsy shop, which will be back up as soon as she unpacks from vacation!)

Comments

[wearinbeads]

Those boots would make my feet happy, too.

[Destiny Carter]

How could such a vibrant color pink not!?

[Jackie]

Hot many bottles of dye did you use?

[Margot Silk Forrest]

It took the equivalent of two bottles, though since I was mixing colors, I ended up buying three.

[Lana]

I plan to dye a pair of suede tan boots black. Have you found any issues with the boots being exposed to water after being dyed? I live in New England and want to make sure they can with stand rain and snow after I dye them. Can I spray them with suede protector after?

[Margot Silk Forrest]

Whether it's dyed or not, suede doesn't fair that well when it gets wet (not just damp, but truly wet). Actually, it's how I learned to dye suede -- my precious lavendar Uggs got caught in a wet snowstorm in British Columbia and they dried with water stains. I dyed them a darker purple and they looked new again.)

Having said that, yes I would definitely try a suede protector -- you might even see if the same company (Angelus) makes one to go with their dye. Otherwise, just use the best one you can find.

[Lana]

Thanks for the information. Also, have you noticed if the nap or suede feels different or stiffer. I really want to dye these boots but everything else I read (other than this site) tells me DON'T.

[Margot Silk Forrest]

No, I haven't noticed that. I use a clean stiff nail brush to brush the nap up again. Shoe stores also carry brushes like this. We have used this dye on fine suede as well as the rougher kind used to make Uggs and it hasn't harmed the nap. It does fade over time, so if you decide to go ahead, be prepared to give your boots a fresh application now and again.

[Lana]

Thanks! This was very informative and helpful!

[Shannon]

Have you had any issues with the raspberry color wearing off on your feet? I questioned Angelus and their comment was,"It will be fine when it dries but when/if it gets wet again (ie: sweat, water, etc.) it may bleed onto your skin or transfer from the outside... it will most likely bleed"
I'd like to try this, but I'm afraid of ending up with unwearable boots... or lime green feet.
Thanks for your help!

[Suede knee high boots]

I just love that raspberry color on your boots. I tried to dye my brown suede knee high boots blue ages ago and made a real mess of it. The boots were ruined. I also got the dye on my skin and came out in a nasty rash and had to get cream from the doctor.
Kind Regards Caitlin

[Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket]

I follow you VIA GFC and I love your blog!