[Califax]

Greetings all,

I own a lovely pair of natural colored Chomexcel Bluchers (Alden) - fit beautifully, a quality shoe. But to be honest I just cannot stand the light color; I went out on a limb making the purchase and now regret it bit.

So I'm thinking about my options regarding how or even whether to dye them.

Anyone ever try this? Am I going to just end up changing these from somewhat wearable to totally unwearable? LOL?

If I do go forward with this: Alden won't dye them; however, a very competent local cobbler will but now I need to find the right dye (he has some basic ones); I'd like to do something close to dark burgundy, as in Allen Edmond's shell cordovan; or Alden No. 8. Something alone those lines.

Can you recommend a dye for this purpose and the color I have in mind?

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

I’d think a good cobbler would have or have access to a bit of natural Chromexcel. If so, I’d ask him or her to sacrifice a scrap to test some dyes from which you might choose. Also keep in mind that with use and natural abuse the existing color may darken a bit.

A review of Angelus brand cordovan dye reported that it restored some Lucchese black cherry boots. I’m just reporting, not recommending.

 

[Flanderian]

I'd be a little concerned about Chromexcel's ability to take dye. It's hot stuffed with waxes and oils, which I assumed after dyeing a a final stage in processing the hide. Might that affect the ability to take dye? Maybe, or maybe not. Chromexcel can get wet, so obviously it's not impermeable.

 

[Califax]

Thanks guys for the advice!

What about darkening it a bit with, say, that dark burgundy shoe cream for cordovan shell that AE makes? Is that less risky? Or even less risky, darkening it with Venetian cream.

@Flanderian - that's one thing I was worried about. My cobbler mentioned "stripping it" before applying a dye, but who knows.

Maybe I should just rub some dirt on them haha.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Thanks guys for the advice!

What about darkening it a bit with, say, that dark burgundy shoe cream for cordovan shell that AE makes? Is that less risky? Or even less risky, darkening it with Venetian cream.

@Flanderian - that's one thing I was worried about. My cobbler mentioned "stripping it" before applying a dye, but who knows.

Maybe I should just rub some dirt on them haha.

Even though you added an ha ha, that's exactly what I'd do, rub a little dirt on them and then brush well.

 

[Flanderian]

Thanks guys for the advice!

What about darkening it a bit with, say, that dark burgundy shoe cream for cordovan shell that AE makes? Is that less risky? Or even less risky, darkening it with Venetian cream.

@Flanderian - that's one thing I was worried about. My cobbler mentioned "stripping it" before applying a dye, but who knows.

Maybe I should just rub some dirt on them haha.

A good shoe cream has a volatile agent that should saturate the hide easily, and it has plenty of pigment. As long as you don't mind a little possible variation in tone on the shoe, I would think it would be easy to darken them a little.

These day I'm using Tarrago, but Saphir may have even more pigment.

 

[Califax]

A good shoe cream has a volatile agent that should saturate the hide easily, and it has plenty of pigment. As long as you don't mind a little possible variation in tone on the shoe, I would think it would be easy to darken them a little.

These day I'm using Tarrago, but Saphir may have even more pigment.

Thanks, the AE Cordovan Shell cream should be pretty safe otherwise, right? NOt going to be a disaster at least?

Edit: actually, the AE cream prolly IS saphir isn't it?

 

[Flanderian]

Thanks, the AE Cordovan Shell cream should be pretty safe otherwise, right? NOt going to be a disaster at least?

Edit: actually, the AE cream prolly IS saphir isn't it?

I don't predict disasters, I only cause them!

I have no idea what's in AE Cordovan Shell cream, if might be awful, or wonderful. But if it's compounded specifically for shell, it very well might not be best suited for Chormexcel which is cattle derived, not equine. And though my experience with AE shoe care products is very old, I was never very impressed with their results.

If I were to try a shoe cream I'd use one intended for regular leather. I've had good results with Tarrago as a replacement for the discontinued Meltonian, and Saphir is a quality product that still uses turpentine which should aid in carrying the pigment into the hide.

 

[Califax]

I don't predict disasters, I only cause them!

LOL! Thanks for the laugh; according to my wife, no one would believe the degree to which that is apparently true for me. Which is why anything done to these shoes will be done by a cobbler - should the result be a disaster, I'll pretend to blame him (just pretend, I won't of course).

 

[Flanderian]

LOL! Thanks for the laugh; according to my wife, no one would believe the degree to which that is apparently true for me. Which is why anything done to these shoes will be done by a cobbler - should the result be a disaster, I'll pretend to blame him (just pretend, I won't of course).

A quality cobbler is a prize of great value!

👍