If you're bored with your leather or suede Timberland boots, try dyeing them a color of your choice. You can buy the products you need to do this at most discount retailers, shoe stores or hardware stores. Although suede is a product of leather, use suede shoe dye on suede boots and leather shoe dye on leather boots. You can dye both suede and leather Timberlands, but suede requires a gentler touch to protect its texture and to prevent dye from bleeding into the inside of the boot. With a little patience and a steady hand, you can soon have a pair of Timberland boots in your favorite shade.
Things You'll Need
Leather or suede shoe dye
Leather deglazer
Bowl
Cloths
Newspaper
Mink oil creme
Leather top coat
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Step 1
Clean your boots thoroughly. On leather boots, use a damp cloth to apply a deglazer and remove dirt, grime and protective waxes. On suede boots, use a cleaner specifically designed for suede. A thorough cleaning is important because any type of build up left on the boot will flake off after the dye has dried, leaving your boots patchy. Use circular motions when cleaning and allow each boot to dry completely before applying dye.
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Step 2
Apply dye to boots. Be certain that the dye is well mixed or shaken so that the color remains consistent throughout the application. Before dyeing suede boots, pack the inside of each boot with newspaper to prevent staining. According to the package instructions, use a cloth, sponge or spray bottle to carefully apply dye. Do not saturate the boot material. When application is complete, place the boots in a well-ventilated area and allow them to dry completely. You can apply up to three coats of dye but do not apply a new coat until the boot is thoroughly dry. Drying time varies by product.
Step 3
Determine if the color is right. After the first coat has dried, you will have a clear idea of how your boots will look after two more coats. If the color is too dark or light, you can mix water-based dyes together to achieve different colors. For example, if you had planned to dye your black boots a smokey gray shade, but they are still looking too dark, add more white to your black dye. Test dye on a small, hidden area of the boot for best results.
Step 4
Seal and waterproof the boots. If working with leather Timberlands, apply a matte, satin or glossy leather top coat once they have dried completely and follow by a thin layer of mink oil cream to seal in the dye and waterproof the boots.
Tip
If your boots are new, wear them for a few weeks before dyeing them. This will lessen the potential for flaking.
Warning
Dyeing can be messy. Be certain to use containers and cloths that you can discard when your work is complete. Cover your work area with newspaper and wipe up any dye spills quickly.