Slitesterk Bordeaux Penetrating Leather Dye 105 – 100ml for Smooth Leather

Description

Slitesterk Bordeaux Penetrating Leather Dye 105 – a proper 100ml bottle

We had this line of dyes put together for one simple reason: the bottles everyone else sells are too small. A bordeaux penetrating leather dye in 100ml gives you roughly double the usual amount, which matters enormously when you are recolouring a pair of boots rather than touching up a heel.

This is a penetrating dye, not a surface paint. It sinks into the fibres of smooth leather and colours them from within, so the finish stays flexible, keeps the grain visible and will not crack or peel where the shoe flexes. Bordeaux 105 is a deep wine red with a brown undertone – the shade that brings faded burgundy brogues and oxblood boots back to life.

Why choose this penetrating dye?

• 100ml instead of 50ml – most dyes come in a small bottle that runs dry halfway through a pair of boots. You get roughly twice as far with this one.
• Colours from within – the pigment penetrates the fibre rather than sitting on top, so the leather still breathes, bends and shows its natural grain.
• Genuinely permanent – once dry it will not rub off on socks or trouser hems, and it stands up to rain far better than a surface paint.
• Rich bordeaux depth – a wine red with warmth in it, ideal for reviving burgundy and oxblood shoes that have gone patchy at the toe.
• Straightforward to apply – thin coats with a dauber or brush, building depth as you go, with no spray booth and no special kit required.

How to dye smooth leather step by step

1. Remove the laces and brush the shoes clean, then wipe them over with a leather cleaner to lift old polish, cream and grease – dye will not grip a waxed surface.
2. Let the leather dry completely and mask off the sole edge, welt and any stitching you want to keep clean.
3. Shake the bottle well and test the shade on a hidden spot, such as the inside of the heel counter.
4. Apply the first thin coat with the dauber or a soft brush, working with the grain and keeping the edges wet so you do not leave tide marks.
5. Let it dry for around 20 minutes, then add a second and if needed a third thin coat until the depth is even. Thin coats always beat one heavy one.
6. Leave it overnight to cure, then finish with a matching shoe cream and a wax polish to seal the colour and bring back the shine.

My tip from behind the counter

Dye only works darker, never lighter. You can take a faded tan boot to bordeaux without any trouble, but you cannot take a black shoe back to red – no dye on earth will do that. If you are unsure whether the existing colour is too dark, test on the inside of the tongue before you commit to the pair.

Specifications

• Volume: 100ml bottle – roughly double the usual size
• Type: Penetrating dye for smooth leather
• Colour: 105 Bordeaux
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, boots, bags and belts
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck and coated or patent finishes
• Brand: Slitesterk
• Coverage: Around two to three pairs of shoes, depending on how thirsty the leather is

Frequently asked questions

Can I dye black shoes bordeaux?

No. Penetrating dyes only ever go from light to dark, so bordeaux will disappear entirely on black leather. Going from tan, cognac or faded burgundy to bordeaux works beautifully.

Do I really need to degrease the leather first?

Yes, and it is the step people skip most often. Old wax and cream form a barrier, and dye applied over the top will look blotchy and lift off in patches. Five minutes with a leather cleaner saves the whole job.

Will the colour rub off on my socks or trousers?

Not once it has cured properly. Give it a full night to dry, buff off any loose pigment with a dry cloth and seal it with a shoe cream, and the colour stays in the leather where it belongs.

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

You can order Slitesterk Bordeaux 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.