Is it possible to dye a brown pair of shoes black?

[Gunney]

Gents,
I was wondering if it is possible to dye a brown pair of shoes black. I have two pairs of brown shoes (that are still in good condition... and the same size... no idea why lol) floating around, but no black ones-- my parade uniform for the fire department requires black shoes. Instead of going out and buying a pair of black shoes, is it possible to dye the brown ones black? They are regular dockers oxfords. They only are needed a few times a year, and as a poor unemployed college student I would be keen on the poor mans solution lol.

In theory it seems like a few coats of black would do it, no? Or would you need to melt off the top layer of whatever is on them?

Again these aren't an every day necessity, so having to polish them every time I use em isn't that much of a problem (well... my room mate might not agree lol.)

I'd be curious to here your responses.

 

[adriang]

Had a similar experience when I was at school. Was a long time ago,but the rules were black shoes only!

My mother got a black leather dye, and it worked pretty well.

Latin, beatings and rugby, my school days were so much fun.

 

[Mike H]

I used Tarrago dye I got off Amazon that worked well on a couch. I looks like it would work great on shoes too.

 

[Gunney]

Had a similar experience when I was at school. Was a long time ago,but the rules were black shoes only!

My mother got a black leather dye, and it worked pretty well.

Latin, beatings and rugby, my school days were so much fun.

Ahh yes the pleasures of schooling... lol

Alright so it sounds like it can be done... Any suggestions on the dye or polish, and the application method? Cheers!

 

[strop]

I have done it, many many years ago, successfully. You'll need to strip off all the old wax/polish. IIRC I used lighter fluid since that was how my Dad always cleaned his shoes. Two coats of Black dye. I think I used Kiwi leather shoe dye, but can't be sure. Several coats of good paste wax after that and no one but me knew the difference.

 

[razorquest]

make sure to not use kiwi parade gloss, terrible stuff. normal kiwi polish and bull them properly!

 

[Gunney]

make sure to not use kiwi parade gloss, terrible stuff. normal kiwi polish and bull them properly!

Bulling.. been a while since I have heard that... I vaguely remember being shown a while back-- polish and a blow torch lol...

Yea no I am none to keen on that parade gloss crap, I have heard it does awful things to shoes/boots.