Kaps Black Nubuck Colour Renovator Spray 118 – 200ml for Suede and Nubuck

Description

Kaps Black Nubuck Colour Renovator Spray 118 — proper black, not grey

Black suede does not really fade. It greys. The pigment lifts out of the surface fibres first, so the toes and the flex crease turn a chalky charcoal while the sheltered parts of the boot stay properly dark, and the result looks worn out long before the boot actually is.

This black nubuck colour renovator spray from Kaps is the fastest cure I know for it. The 200ml aerosol carries pigment together with an impregnating agent, so one even pass takes the grey out, feeds the nap and leaves the surface far better able to cope with rain and road salt. The leather still breathes afterwards, which is exactly what a coloured lacquer would not let it do.

It works on more than boots as well. Black suede bags, jackets, gloves and velour uppers all take exactly the same treatment, and since black is the shade most of us own most of, a single can usually finds four or five jobs waiting for it. That is a good deal better value than it looks on the shelf.

Why choose the Kaps black renovator spray?

• Takes the grey out properly. Black is the shade where half-measures show. A pigmented renovator puts the colour back into the fibre itself, so the chalky look goes rather than being covered over. Brushing alone will lift a bit of dust but it cannot put back pigment that has physically worn away.
• Feeds while it colours. The conditioning agents keep the leather supple in the same pass, so you are not left with a boot that looks right and feels like cardboard. Suede that has dried out creases at the vamp and those creases never really come out again.
• The nap stays open and breathable. Air still moves through the upper, which is what stops treated suede feeling clammy and what stops the flex crease cracking.
• Even coverage into the awkward bits. The welt seam, the eyelet facings and the tongue gusset are where brushes streak. An aerosol simply does not have that problem.
• Adds water and salt resistance. The impregnation means winter pavements do far less damage, and that is half the reason black suede greys in the first place.
• One can, a whole wardrobe. Boots, trainers, bags, jackets, gloves, velour and textile uppers. At 200ml and under a tenner it is very good value indeed.

How to use the Kaps black renovator spray

Brush, test, shake, spray lightly, wait, brush again. That is the entire method, and the waiting is the part people skip.

1. Brush the pair down with a suede brush, working into the seams and around the welt to lift the loose dirt.
2. Test on a hidden spot such as the inside of the heel and let it dry fully before you decide.
3. Shake the can well so the pigment is properly mixed through.
4. Spray from around 20cm away in light, even sweeps across the whole upper.
5. Add a second light pass only if the first has dried patchy or shy of the colour you want.
6. Dry naturally away from heat, then brush the nap back up to restore the soft finish.

My tip from behind the counter

Black suede benefits enormously from being done before it needs it. Once a year, at the end of the winter, give the pair a light pass and a good brush and they simply never reach the chalky stage at all. It takes ten minutes, it costs a fraction of a can, and it is far easier than trying to rescue a boot that has already gone properly grey across the toe.

Specifications

• Volume: 200ml aerosol
• Type: Pigmented colour renovator with impregnation for napped leather
• Shade: 118 Black
• Suitable for: Suede, nubuck, velour and textile shoes, boots, bags, jackets and gloves
• Not suitable for: Smooth leather and patent leather
• Brand: Kaps, made in Europe

Frequently asked questions

Will it rub off on my socks or trousers?

Not once it is properly dry. The pigment binds into the fibres rather than sitting loose on top, but do give the pair a full brush after drying to lift any surplus, and leave them overnight before their first full day of wear rather than putting them straight on.

Can I use it on black suede trainers?

Yes, and it is one of the quickest wins there is. Mask off any rubber toe cap and midsole with masking tape first, because the pigment will happily colour rubber as well and that is much harder to undo than it sounds.

My boots are more charcoal than black. Will this match?

It will pull them towards a true black rather than matching charcoal exactly. If you want to keep the softer tone, test on the inside of the heel and judge it dry before committing to the whole boot. In practice most charcoal suede has simply faded from black in the first place, so going back to black is often exactly what the boot wants. If yours was genuinely sold as charcoal, the dark grey renovator is the safer choice.

Where can I buy the Kaps black renovator spray in the UK?

You can order the Kaps black renovator spray directly from Shoespecialist.co.uk. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, same-day dispatch when you order before 5pm, and a 60-day return policy.