TRG Light Grey Nubuck Renovator Spray 114 – Suede and Nubuck 250ml

Description

TRG Light Grey Nubuck Renovator Spray 114 – Suede and Nubuck 250ml – even out pale grey suede that has gone patchy

Light grey suede is the trickiest shade in the whole napped-leather family. It does not so much fade as go blotchy: rain leaves dark freckles, a brush against a car door leaves a shiny patch, the toe caps go pale and chalky, and the shoe ends up looking grubby in a way that no amount of cleaning fixes. The colour is not dirty, it is uneven.

That is precisely the problem this can solves. TRG have been making leather and suede care since 1940, and their Renovator Suede and Nubuck is a colour-refreshing aerosol: it lays a fine, even film of grey pigment into the nap, nourishes the fibres so they stay soft, and leaves the surface repelling moisture instead of drinking it in.

It is also gentler on technical footwear than you might expect. TRG have it tested and recommended for membranes such as Gore-Tex, and it does not alter breathability.

Why choose the TRG Light Grey Nubuck Renovator Spray?

• It pulls a patchy shoe back to one tone. This is the real reason to buy a pale renovator. Sun-bleached toes, dark rain marks and shiny flex points all move towards the same light grey, which is what people actually mean when they say their suede looks old.
• A true light grey, not a dirty white. Shade 114 is a proper pale cool grey. Pale shades are where a poor product gives itself away, either going chalky or drifting yellow; this one keeps the cool tone that made you buy the shoes.
• Feeds the nap while it colours. The fibres get conditioned rather than merely coated, so once dry the nap brushes back up soft and velvety instead of drying crisp and papery.
• Water and dirt stay on the outside. The same pass that evens the grey leaves the surface water-repellent, which on a pale suede is worth as much as the colour. Rain beads and brushes off instead of leaving a tidemark.
• Safe on breathable membranes. Tested and recommended by TRG for footwear and clothing membranes such as Gore-Tex, with no change to how the material breathes. Grey nubuck walking shoes stay comfortable and waterproof.
• Even coverage that no sponge can match. On a pale colour every overlap mark shows. An aerosol held at the right distance lays a uniform mist across the whole panel, which is the only sensible way to treat a light grey nap.

How to use TRG Renovator Suede and Nubuck 114 Light Grey

1. Brush the whole shoe with a suede brush to lift the nap and take off every trace of loose dirt. On pale suede this step matters more than on any other shade.
2. Lift stains and shiny crushed areas with a suede eraser or a suede cleaner, then let the shoes dry fully. Pigment over a stain simply gives you a paler stain.
3. Mask the soles, the laces and any smooth leather trim, and work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with newspaper down.
4. Shake the can hard for half a minute and test on the inside of the heel. Pale greys vary more between makers than dark shades do, so the test patch is genuinely worth it.
5. Spray in light passes from about 20cm, keeping the can moving. Build the colour in two or three thin coats rather than trying to cover in one go.
6. Let the shoes dry for roughly 30 minutes away from direct heat, then brush the nap up with a suede brush and take a look in daylight before deciding on another coat.

My tip from behind the counter

Pale suede rewards patience more than any other colour. Three whisper-thin coats with a brush-up between each will give you an even, natural grey; one generous coat will give you a flat, slightly cardboard-looking shoe. And treat both shoes together on the same day, because a light grey pair that has been done a fortnight apart never quite matches.

Specifications

• Volume: 250ml aerosol
• Colour: Light grey, shade 114
• Type: Colour-refreshing renovator spray for napped leather
• Suitable for: Suede, nubuck and microfibre footwear, bags and clothing
• Membranes: Tested and recommended for membranes such as Gore-Tex
• Not suitable for: Smooth leather, patent and painted finishes
• Brand: TRG the One, making leather and suede care since 1940
• Price: £9.99

Frequently asked questions

My grey suede trainers have gone slightly yellow. Will this fix them?

Usually yes, and it is one of the best uses for a pale renovator. Clean them first with a suede cleaner to take off whatever is causing the discolouration, let them dry, then build the grey back in thin coats. Yellowing that has come from heat damage rather than dirt is harder, but even then you will see a clear improvement.

Can I use a light grey on a mid grey shoe?

It will lighten it, so I would not. Refreshers work best when the shade is close to what you already have. On a mid grey the pale pigment sits visibly on the surface and the shoe ends up looking dusty rather than refreshed.

Does it work on grey canvas or fabric panels?

It does, and TRG list microfibre alongside suede and nubuck. Mask any white midsole or rubber toe bumper carefully first, because those will take the pigment just as willingly as the fabric.

Where can I buy the TRG light grey nubuck renovator spray in the UK?

You can order the TRG Light Grey Nubuck Renovator Spray 114 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. Pale greys vary a lot between brands, so send me a daylight photo if you want a second opinion before you order.