Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye 109 – 100ml with Ball Brush

Description

Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye 109 – 100ml with Ball Brush – a proper recolour for smooth leather, not a cover-up

If your favourite dark brown boots have gone patchy at the toe, scuffed along the heel counter or simply faded after a few winters of British weather, a surface cream will only ever hide the problem for a day or two. A penetrating dye works differently. It soaks into the fibres of the leather and changes the colour from within, so the new shade moves with the leather instead of sitting on top of it waiting to crack.

This is our own Slitesterk line, and we had it put together for one simple reason: the bottles you normally find on the shelf hold about 50ml and come in a handful of shades. Ours holds 100ml, which is roughly double, and the range covers the shades people actually ask me for. Every bottle comes with a ball brush in the cap, so you can start the moment the parcel lands on your doormat.

Why choose the Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye?

• It genuinely penetrates. The dye is absorbed by the leather fibres rather than forming a film on the surface, so it will not flake off the flex creases across the vamp the way a thick cover paint eventually does.
• A generous 100ml bottle. Most penetrating dyes are sold in 50ml pots. This one holds twice as much, which comfortably covers a pair of boots in two or three thin coats and leaves you plenty in reserve for touch-ups next season.
• Ball brush included. The applicator sits in the cap, so there is no hunting for a spare dauber. The rounded head lets you feed the dye into welt seams and around eyelets without flooding the surrounding leather.
• Dark brown that stays dark brown. Shade 109 is a deep, warm dark brown that reads as a true dark brown in daylight rather than drifting towards red or grey once it has dried and been buffed.
• Ideal for tired boots and shoes. Sun-bleached panels, water marks, faded toe caps and old scratches all even out once the leather takes the dye, which is exactly what you want before you rebuild the finish with cream and wax.
• Made for smooth leather. This is a smooth-leather product through and through, so it suits calf, box calf, corrected grain and most everyday shoe and boot leathers without any guesswork on your part.

How to use the Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye

1. Brush off all loose dirt and dust with a stiff dirt brush, paying attention to the welt and the sole edge where grit collects.
2. Clean the leather thoroughly with a leather cleaner and a soft cloth. Old wax, cream and grease must come off or the dye will not be absorbed evenly.
3. Let the shoes dry completely at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sun. Mask the sole edge and heel with low-tack tape if you want a crisp line.
4. Shake the bottle well, then apply a thin, even coat with the ball brush. Work in long strokes along the length of the shoe rather than in circles.
5. Let each coat dry fully before you judge the result, then build up a second and, if needed, a third thin coat until the shade is even.
6. Once the final coat is dry, feed the leather with a matching shoe cream and finish with a wax polish for shine and water resistance.

My tip from behind the counter

Always test on the inside of the tongue or the heel counter first. Penetrating dye only ever goes darker, never lighter, so a shade that is slightly too deep cannot be walked back. Two thin coats will always look better than one heavy one, and the second coat is where the depth comes from. And do give the leather a full day before you wear the pair again, so the dye can settle right through.

Specifications

• Volume: 100ml
• Shade: 109 Dark Brown
• Type: Penetrating dye for smooth leather
• Applicator: Ball brush supplied in the cap
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, boots, ankle boots and leather accessories
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck, patent leather and coated synthetics
• Brand: Slitesterk
• Article code: Leer-verf-dbruin

Frequently asked questions

Can I dye light brown shoes dark brown with it?

Yes, and that is the classic use for it. Penetrating dye can always take leather darker, so light brown to dark brown is straightforward. Going the other way, from dark brown to a lighter shade, is not possible with any dye of this type.

How many pairs will one bottle cover?

As a rule of thumb, 100ml is enough for two to three pairs of shoes in two or three thin coats, or one pair of tall boots. Thick, thirsty leather drinks more than fine calf, so keep a little back for the second coat.

Do I still need shoe cream afterwards?

I would say yes. The dye changes the colour but does not feed the leather. A matching shoe cream restores the oils and a wax polish on top gives you the shine and the water resistance, so the three products work as a set.

Where can I buy Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye 109 in the UK?

You can order Slitesterk Dark Brown Penetrating Leather Dye 109 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. If you are not sure which shade fits your pair, drop me a line before you order and I will happily talk it through with you.