Saphir Fauve Suede Spray 19 – 200ml Renovetine Colour Reviver for Suede and Nubuck

Description

Saphir Fauve Suede Spray 19 – 200ml Renovetine Colour Reviver for Suede and Nubuck – for tan suede that has gone pale where it rubs

Tan suede almost never fades evenly. On a pair of chukkas the toe and the outer flank go pale and slightly shiny long before the rest, and that is wear rather than sunlight, because the nap has been rubbed flat and the colour has gone with it.

A fauve suede spray is the answer to precisely that. This is Saphir Renovetine in colour 19, a 200ml aerosol built to refresh, feed and protect suede and nubuck, and fauve is the warm tan that more suede shoes are made in than any other shade. The formula nourishes the fibres so the nap keeps its softness and its matte finish, and it leaves light protection against dirt and moisture behind.

Saphir have been making leather care in France since 1920. Renovetine is their aerosol for colour, and an aerosol is the right tool on a nap because it lands as a mist rather than as a wet patch.

Why choose this fauve suede spray?

• Fixes rubbed-pale wear, not only sun fade. The toe, the flank and the heel counter go pale because the nap has flattened there. Colour plus a brush lifts those fibres and puts the tan back at the same time. Most people think their suede has faded when it has really only been flattened.
• Keeps the matte finish suede needs. A suede shoe that comes out glossy looks wrong however well the colour matches. Renovetine dries matte, which is the whole reason to use a suede product rather than a leather one.
• Feeds the fibres while it colours. Dry suede snaps and mats instead of moving softly. The oils in the formula keep the nap flexible so it brushes up rather than lying flat. A can that feeds as well as colours saves you buying a second product.
• Light protection against dirt and damp. There is enough water and dirt resistance in it to make the refresh last rather than wash out at the first shower. It is not a substitute for a proper waterproofer, but it buys you time. Reproof the pair properly if they are going out in real weather.
• Fauve suits more shoes than any other shade. Tan is the default colour for suede boots, loafers and trainers, so this is the one can worth keeping in the cupboard. It also covers a multitude of near-tan shades.
• Two hundred millilitres treats several pairs. An aerosol this size will refresh a whole cupboard of tan suede over a season or two. Kept upright and capped, it stays usable for years. One can will comfortably see three or four pairs through a winter.

How to use the Saphir Fauve Suede Spray 19 – 200ml Renovetine Colour Reviver for Suede and Nubuck

The brushing before and after is what separates a good result from a blotchy one. Suede is unforgiving about a shortcut at either end of the job.

1. Brush the suede firmly with a suede brush to lift the nap and take out loose dirt.
2. Make sure the shoes are completely dry before any colour goes near them.
3. Mask off or hold back any smooth leather trim, soles or laces you want to keep clear.
4. Shake the can, then spray in even passes from about twenty centimetres away.
5. Let it dry fully rather than brushing while the nap is still damp.
6. Brush again in one direction to bring the nap up and even out the finish.

My tip as a shoe specialist

Two light passes beat one heavy one every time on suede. A wet coat mats the nap together and dries darker in patches, whereas two mists dry evenly and let you judge the colour as you go. Do the whole shoe rather than only the pale toe, because a treated patch on an untreated shoe shows up more than the original fade did. And keep a dedicated brush for after the spray, since a brush loaded with tan pigment will carry it onto the next pair.

Specifications

At a glance

• Volume: 200ml aerosol
• Colour: Fauve 19, a warm tan
• Also listed as: Fawn or Tan 19 on other Saphir lines
• Type: Colour reviving and conditioning spray
• Suitable for: Suede and nubuck shoes, boots, bags and accessories
• Not suitable for: Smooth leather and patent leather
• Applicator: Aerosol, plus a suede brush before and after
• Properties: Restores colour, feeds the fibres, matte finish, light dirt and moisture protection
• Brand: Saphir, France, established 1920
• Price: £14.99

Frequently asked questions

Is fauve the same as tan or fawn?

They are the same colour under different names. Saphir use fauve on this line and fawn or tan on others, but the number 19 stays consistent, so buy by the number.

Will it darken my suede?

A single light coat refreshes rather than darkens. Heavy or repeated coats will deepen the shade, which is worth knowing if your boots sit on the pale side of tan.

Can I use it on nubuck trainers?

Yes, nubuck takes it well and the finish stays matte. Mask the midsole and any mesh panels first, because an aerosol does not distinguish between materials. Two light passes are safer than one heavy one on a trainer upper. Brush the nap up afterwards and the shoes will look considerably fresher.

Where can I buy the Saphir Fauve Suede Spray 19 in the UK?

You can order the Saphir Fauve Suede Spray 19 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. Renovetine is available in a wide range of suede shades.