Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye 102 – 100ml with Ball Brush

Description

Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye 102 – 100ml with Ball Brush – real dye that soaks in, not a coating that peels off

There comes a point where shoe cream is no longer enough. The leather has gone patchy, the black has drifted to a tired charcoal, and no amount of polishing brings it back. That is the moment for a black penetrating leather dye – a dye that soaks into the leather rather than sitting on top of it.

Slitesterk is our own registered brand, and we had this line put together specifically for dyeing smooth leather shoes and boots. The most obvious difference from the alternatives is the bottle: 100ml, roughly double the usual 50ml, with a ball brush included in the box. On a pair of boots that extra volume is not a luxury, it is the difference between finishing the job and running out halfway through the second shoe.

Because a penetrating dye becomes part of the leather instead of forming a film, the result stays flexible and will not crack or peel along the flex lines. Black is also the easiest shade to work with, because penetrating dye only ever travels dark over light – so any faded brown, grey or washed-out black can be taken to a deep, even black.

Why choose the Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye?

What a penetrating dye does that a pigmented cream simply cannot.

• It soaks in, it does not coat. The dye penetrates the leather itself, so there is no surface film to crack, peel or scuff off at the toe the first time you catch a kerb.
• A generous 100ml bottle. Twice the volume of the usual 50ml bottles, which matters enormously on boots. Running dry mid-job is the fastest route to a patchy finish.
• Ball brush in the box. A dauber brush is included, so you can start straight away and lay down thin, even coats without hunting round the house for an applicator.
• A true, deep black. Shade 102 restores proper depth to leather that has gone grey and dusty, and it evens out the pale creases across the vamp at the same time.
• You control how far it goes. Build thin coats until the depth of colour reads correctly. Black over faded black, grey or brown all work, because dye always travels from light towards dark.
• Specified for footwear by us. Slitesterk is our own brand, put together for smooth leather shoes and boots rather than adapted from a general-purpose dye.

How to use the Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye

Preparation decides the result. Skip the cleaning stage and the dye simply will not key.

1. Brush the shoes down with a stiff brush so every trace of dust and dried mud is gone.
2. Now the step people skip: clean the leather with Slitesterk Leather Cleaner on a polishing cloth to strip old polish, cream and grease so the dye can reach the leather itself.
3. Mask off the soles and heels with masking tape if you want a crisp edge, and put newspaper down.
4. Test the shade on a hidden area such as the inside of the heel, and let it dry so you can judge the true result.
5. Apply a thin, even coat with the ball brush, working across the whole shoe rather than spot-treating one patch.
6. Let each coat dry, repeat until the black looks right, then finish with a black shoe cream to feed the leather and bring the shine back.

My tip from behind the counter

Dye the whole shoe, never just the bald spot. Leather absorbs unevenly and a spot-dyed toe cap always ends up a slightly different black from the rest, which reads as a repair rather than a restoration. Two thin coats across the entire upper takes ten more minutes and looks like a different pair of shoes.

Specifications

• Volume: 100ml bottle, ball brush included
• Shade: 102 Black
• Type: Penetrating dye for smooth leather
• Direction: Works dark over light only
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, ankle boots and boots
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck, patent and coated faux leather
• Brand: Slitesterk, our own registered brand
• Price: £12.99

Frequently asked questions

Will the dye rub off onto my socks or trousers?

Not once it is dry and finished properly. The dye bonds with the leather rather than sitting on it. Let each coat dry fully, then seal the job with a black shoe cream and buff off any surplus before you wear the shoes.

Can I use it on suede or nubuck?

No – this version is made for smooth leather. Napped leather needs a dedicated suede dye, which is formulated to colour the fibres without gluing the nap flat. We stock a separate Slitesterk suede penetrating dye for exactly that.

How many pairs will one bottle do?

Two coats on a pair of shoes uses a fairly small part of the bottle, so most people get several pairs out of 100ml. A pair of tall boots naturally takes more, which is precisely why we specified the larger bottle.

Where can I buy Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye in the UK?

You can order Slitesterk Black Penetrating Leather Dye 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.