TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye 182 – 50ml Penetrating Dye for Suede and Nubuck

Description

TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye 182 – 50ml Penetrating Dye for Suede and Nubuck – a proper recolour, not a refresh

There comes a point where brushing and spraying will not save a pair of suede boots. The nap has gone shiny, the shade has washed out unevenly, and what they need is not a refresh but a proper recolour. That is exactly the job this bottle does.

TRG the One have been making leather chemistry in Spain since 1940, and their Suede Dye is a penetrating dye rather than a surface coating. It soaks into the fibres so the new shade looks like the suede’s own rather than a film sitting on top, and it stays put through brushing and wear. Each 50ml bottle comes with an applicator brush in the box.

Shade 182 Deep Purple is a rich, saturated aubergine-purple. It is the shade to reach for when purple suede has faded towards a dusty mauve, and it is equally good for taking pale lilac, grey or stone suede somewhere altogether bolder. One rule above all others: a dye only ever works light to dark.

Why choose the TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye?

What a penetrating dye gives you that a spray cannot.

• It soaks in rather than sitting on top. The dye works into the fibres themselves, so the shade survives brushing and will not rub off onto your hands or your trouser hems.
• Even, deep coverage. Two or three thin coats give a uniform purple across the whole shoe, including the scuffed toe that a spray would always leave patchy.
• Applicator brush included. The brush in the box handles seams and welt edges neatly. For large flat panels a sponge or a wool dauber is easier and faster.
• Works on suede and nubuck alike. Boots, shoes, bags and jackets all take it, as long as the material is a genuinely napped leather rather than a smooth or coated one.
• Made by a specialist house since 1940. TRG dyes are used in repair shops right across Europe, and the pigment strength is why. A 50ml bottle goes a long way.

How to use the TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye

Do the whole shoe rather than spot-treating. Suede shows every edge where a coat stops.

1. Brush the suede all over with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove every last trace of dust and dried dirt.
2. Mask the sole edge and any smooth-leather trim, and stuff the shoes with paper so they hold their shape.
3. Start at the seams and around the sole, where dye tends to pool, then work outwards across the panel.
4. Apply the dye in a thin, even coat over the whole shoe. Suede almost always needs two coats for an even tone, three for a big shade change.
5. Let each coat dry thoroughly before the next. Allow around twelve hours for the final coat to dry completely.
6. Brush the nap up with a suede brush, then finish with a waterproofing spray so the recoloured leather resists dirt and moisture.

My tip from behind the counter

Test on the inside of the heel and judge it dry, because wet dye always looks two shades darker than the finished result. And be realistic about where you are starting from: deep purple over grey or stone suede looks superb, over a mid brown it will read as a murky plum, and over black it will not show at all. If your suede is darker than the bottle, no dye on earth will lighten it – that is a job for a replacement pair, not a chemical.

Specifications

• Volume: 50ml bottle with applicator brush
• Shade: 182 Deep Purple – rich saturated aubergine
• Type: Penetrating dye for suede and nubuck
• Suitable for: Suede and nubuck shoes, boots, bags and jackets
• Important: Only works from light shades to dark; it cannot lighten suede
• Drying time: Around 12 hours for the final coat
• Brand: TRG the One, Spain, since 1940
• Price: £7.99

Frequently asked questions

Can I dye black suede purple with this?

No. A penetrating dye only ever adds pigment, so it works from light to dark and never the other way round. Deep purple over black suede will simply disappear.

How many coats will I need?

Two as a rule. Suede takes dye unevenly on the first pass and the second coat is what levels the tone out. Moving from a pale stone or lilac to a deep purple, budget for three thin coats rather than two heavy ones.

Will the suede still feel soft afterwards?

Yes, provided you brush it up once it is completely dry. That brushing lifts the nap back to its velvety texture, and skipping it is what leaves suede feeling flat and crusty.

Where can I buy TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye 182 in the UK?

You can order TRG Deep Purple Suede Dye 182 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.