Cowboy boots that are used for many years without proper storage are likely to fade and become ugly. You definitely don’t want to wear such cowboy boots for going downtown or flirting.
There are many different ways to make cowboy boots newer or to restore their appearance. Among them, the most prominent is still dyeing them.
With just a good dyeing process, your faded cowboy boots will instantly come back to life.
However, dyeing leather boots is never easy as cowboy boots are actually very big compared to other types of footwear. So, it will take more time to dye them.
Today, we will show you how to dye cowboy boots most effectively, for both smooth leather and suede, so you will reduce the risks and save time.
Let’s start reviving your cowboy boots!
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We will give you a step-by-step guide on how to dye black cowboy boots made from leather and suede.
In this article, we will show how to dye cowboy boots black, but you can apply this method to other colors.
For LEATHER cowboy boots
The 3 most basic processes for your cowboy boots to have the perfect new color are Cleaning, dyeing and finally preserving.
We will guide you step by step in each of these processes!
FIRST: Make sure your leather cowboy boots are clean
Yes, before dyeing your cowboy boots black, you must clean your cowboy boots first, here are some basic steps for cleaning:
Step 1: Moisten cowboy boots with a water spray bottle (warm water is recommended). Then use a damp cloth to clean the stains. Wipe carefully at the welt and stitches.
Step 2: Use a horsehair brush and leather cleaner to clean cowboy boots. These 2 items will repel any stubborn stains on cowboy boots.
Note: You should use a specialized brush to clean cowboy boots. Do not use toothbrushes or other non-specialized brushes, these things can be harmful to cowboy boots.
Step 3: Dry cowboy boots, use a dry towel to clean the cleaning solution on cowboy boots.
Step 4: Use conditioner to maintain and soften cowboy boots’ leather.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Leather Care Kit
Tip: You can use a hair dryer at a moderate temperature to make the conditioner quickly permeate into cowboy boots.
After this stage, leave the cowboy boots overnight before the dyeing process!
SECOND: Start dyeing leather cowboy boots black
First, you need to prepare:
- Soft cloth: In case you need to clean something
- Thin rubber gloves (waterproof): To protect your hands from dyeing chemicals
- Old leather brush
- Foam brush: Use to apply the dye
- Small plastic container
- Wool daubers ball brush leather dye tool
- Leather dye kit: Of course, to dye
- Color dye self-shine kit: to make shiny black leather cowboy boots
Tips: In case you don’t want to dye some parts of cowboy boots, you should cover them with tape.
Conveniently, you can buy Color Dye Self-Shine Kit and Leather Dye Kit, which include: a preparer solution, dye, sponge, brush, cotton dauber and color dye self-shine.
Step 1: Prepare
Use: Rubber gloves, old leather brush, preparer solution.
Put on gloves and apply a small amount of “preparer” to the old leather brush and rub well over the surface of the leather cowboy boots.
Preparer: This product is often included in the Color Dye Self-Shine Kit, which supports the dyeing process.
Rub well and evenly onto the welt, texture as well as stitches of cowboy boots.
Step 2: Begin the dyeing process
Use: rubber gloves, small plastic container, leather dye kit, foam brush, wool daubers ball brush leather dye tool.
Pour the leather dye into a small plastic container.
Note: You should go over the instructions before using, each leather dye of each brand will have different instructions, so be careful!
Then use a foam brush to dip inside the small plastic container that already contains the leather dye.
After you have dipped the foam brush completely into the dye, use it to rub the surface of the leather cowboy boots.
Rub thoroughly and apply black dye to every corner, thread, welt… of cowboy boots.
You should leave cowboy boots horizontally to perform a dye sweep to avoid uneven dye. Use 2 types of foam brush: big and small. Big foam brush to scrub shaft parts, vamp, … And a small foam brush to scrub stitches, welt, patterns, nooks, etc.
After dyeing evenly and carefully the outside surface of the leather cowboy boots, let’s dye the pull tabs and the upper portion of the cowboy boots with wool daubers ball brush. (Inside the top of cowboy boots will be partly made of leather, you should dye that part as well)
The wool daubers ball brush can get into the narrow, hard-to-dye corners of cowboy boots.
Tip: On the first time of dyeing, the boots have not completely turned black, you should wait for the cowboy boots to dry and then continue adding another dye coat for the boots.
Then leave the cowboy boots in a dry place for 24 hours.
Step 3: Create shiny black for leather cowboy boots
Use: rubber gloves, soft cloth, color dye self-shine, sponge, small foam brush
After letting the cowboy boots dry for 1 day. Use a dry cloth to wipe the surface of the leather cowboy boots. Wipe thoroughly to remove any residue left by the dye solution.
After that, apply a thin layer of self-shine dye from the Color Dye Self-Shine Kit to the sponge, and then rub it onto the surface of the cowboy boots. Use the small foam brush to wipe the corners, welt and seams of cowboy boots.
This is an important stage to make your leather cowboy boots shiny black.
Then let it dry for a day.
Use a dry towel to clean the boots again to make sure the surface of the cowboy boots is smooth, without any residue from the dye.
Tips: You can use a hair dryer to make cowboy boots dry quickly, but keep the temperature moderate and be careful not to burn the boots.
THIRD: Preserve and take care of leather cowboy boots
During the first period of time when the cowboy boots are dyed, limit cowboy boots to contact with water, use conditioner products and specialized waxes to maintain and polish cowboy boots.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Leather Care Kit
Put cowboy boots in dry places and use boot shapers to keep them in shape. And so you’ve got a new cowboy boot that doesn’t cost much.
For SUEDE cowboy boots
Unlike leather cowboy boots, suede cowboy boots are easier to dye, because suede is permeable to dyeing chemicals.
However, keep in mind to use a special dye for suede.
FIRST: Clean your suede cowboy boots
You will need to prepare three main tools: A suede brush, suede eraser and suede cleaner.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Suede Care Kit
Step 1: Use a special brush to clean suede and scrub thoroughly to remove stains from suede cowboy boots. Apply suede cleaner to the entire surface of the cowboy boot, then continue to use the brush to scrub
Step 2: After using a special brush to remove stains, use a special eraser to clean the suede. Rub it on the surface of the suede cowboy boots and remove any stubborn stains left.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the suede cowboy boots are free of stains.
Step 3: Apply suede conditioner for comprehensive protection and maintenance of your suede cowboy boots.
Because suede is very hydrophobic, when cleaning your suede cowboy boots, keep them away from water as much as possible.
SECOND: Start dyeing suede cowboy boots into black
You need to prepare the same equipment we have introduced above including:
- Soft cloth: In case you need to clean something
- Thin waterproof rubber gloves: To protect your hands from dyeing chemicals
- Foam brush: Use to apply the dye
- Small plastic container
- Wool daubers ball brush leather dye tool
- Suede dye: Of course, to dye
Step 1: Pour the suede dye into the small plastic container, then dip the foam brush to take a certain amount of the suede dye, then wipe the surface of the suede cowboy boots.
Carefully dye the welt, seams, and small nooks and crannies of suede cowboy boots.
If the dyes are smeared on the sole of cowboy boots, take a soft cloth and wipe them off.
Step 2: Use wool daubers ball brush to dip in suede dye and wipe on small areas that the foam brush cannot reach, such as pull tabs or welts.
Step 3: Let the suede cowboy boots dry the dye. Then observe the irregular dye areas. If there is an uneven dye area, repeat steps 1 and 2 at that position.
Leave cowboy boots in a dry place for 24 hours.
Step 4: After 24 hours, use a special brush to scrub cowboy boots again. This ensures no residue of the dye remains on the cowboy boots.
Use a special brush to scrub until the suede cowboy boots are clean, or make sure the suede is as soft as it was.
Voilà, that’s it! Pretty much simpler than dyeing leather cowboy boots!
THIRD: Preserve and take care of suede cowboy boots
Use suede conditioner to protect suede cowboy boots and help their color last longer. Limit them to contact with water, suede cowboy boots are more easily damaged than leather cowboy boots.
Store suede cowboy boots in a cool and dry place. Unlike leather, suede needs to breathe.
Before you leave
We have provided you with the most detailed guide on how to dye cowboy boots. Hopefully, this information is helpful for you.
Suede cowboy boots are easy to dye because they are so permeable, while leather cowboy boots are much more complex, we have to use more tools to help them absorb color and shine.
Anyway, it takes a little time and money but your cowboy boots will get a new look without spending too much money compared to buying a new pair of cowboy boots.
Good luck!
Howdy y’all, and welcome to From The Guest Room, your ultimate guide to all things Western! I’m Jay Gatz, a lifelong cowboy boot enthusiast with over 5 years of experience in the Western style world. I’m excited to share my knowledge with you and help you discover the perfect cowboy boots and western gear to elevate your style. Let’s explore the rich history and timeless appeal of Western fashion together!