re-dying suede shoes?

Legacy_user

I have a pair of shoes similar to this but in dark red



but they have not only faded, but one shoe has faded more than the other one, making them look a bit scruffy to say the least.

I'm loath to throw them out as they are quite a good quality pair of shoes and still have some life left in them so I was wondering about getting them re-dyed.

Does anybody know how much this is likely to cost? Is it worth dying them at home or better to take them to a shoe repairer?

Mayflower10cat

I had a pair of black suede shoes and some brown suede boots I adored. I re-dyed both of them several times when the colour faded. Depending on the thread content in the top stitching - it may resist the dye or not. If you have a steady hand and a wire suede brush to restore the nap, it's worth a go at home.

meritaten

^^^^^This! if one shoe has faded more than the other put a thin coat of dye on that one then wait for it to dry before doing both shoes - I learned this the hard way! I had a pair of tan suede shoes and one shoe got left in the sun and faded to almost cream - I just dyed both shoes tan and got one brown one and one light tan! I did them both black in the end!

System

Do shoes need to be prepped in any way before applying the dye? It's a long time since I dyed a pair of shoes.

I was thinking of taking them to Timpsons but am not sure how much it would set me back.. I paid about £25 for the shoes new :money: so was hoping it would be quite a bit less than that!

meritaten

just clean off any dirt and make sure the soles wont come in contact with the dye - from the pic I see they might - so I would cover them with masking tape. Its anyone's guess what colour the thread might go - but then you will have a unique pair of shoes! have a go - I have a feeling that it would be cheaper to buy a new pair than have them professionally dyed. i could be wrong though - google it!

MoaningMyrtle

I have dyed suede shoes, boots and sandals and was pleased with the results. The dye was about £5.00 from a cobblers.

System

Thanks, I will go to Timpsons and ask. I also have a pair of cream-coloured leather shoes which I am considering dying a different colour, maybe brown. If I manage to dye them I'll have the equivalent of two new pairs of shoes this summer :money: