Coloring Black Jodhpur Boots

[tigger68[501st]]

Okay, I know I'm a noob, but after trying to find a good topic for information regarding dyeing/painting black jodhpur boots (since I can't wear the Caboots), I decided to pull out my old leather-working days knowledge and hope this helps others.

 

First of all, most jodhpur boots are specifically designed to resist weather, and other umm...well, substances shall we say. To get a good application you need to remove the finish from the boot. After searching around, I went back to the old standby I've used for leather for over 20 years, a Tandy Leather Factory product

 

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I have never used the Eco-Flo products so I'm not sure how well they would work. You can also purchase the applicators for all of the above products on the website, or at your local Tandy leather store. I don't know how any of this will work on faux leather because I've never tried it. I have used the Fiebing's leather dye and finish on several leather pieces for which I've won awards.

 

Also, I've not tried it yet, but am going to fairly quickly to see how it works...instead of having to cut out and reinstall the elastic inserts...I'm going to try carefull applications of fabric dye remover or bleach to black elastic strips. I don't want to destry the elastic properties...I'll report back on the results of those experiments later.

 

I hope these links help, and that the finishes work well.

Edited January 15, 2022 by gmrhodes13
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[Murray1134[501st]]

Some great info there. When you get a set of boots a WIP thread would help a lot of people

[Dmian]

Mark made a great how-to: --------

Maybe you'd like to see it (or complement it for American troopers )

Edited January 15, 2022 by gmrhodes13
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[pandatrooper[TK]]

Looking forward to seeing the results / tutorial. I've been reading up on all the threads about dying / painting, as I probably need to head down the Jodhpur / dye / paint route.

 

Thanks for the info so far!

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Hey Tiffanie, I have a question for you. You seemed to have worked with leather before, so you might know.

 

Even if you deglaze a black boot, will you get rid off enough of the black to actually dye the leather white? Most black jodhpurs that i've seen that were "dyed" didn't turn out that great. The better ones have been painted, since the white paint is more opaque than leather dye, is it not?

 

Also, the Feibings white leather dye is spirit based (which I assume grabs better than water based paints). Would you still need to sand the leather first?

 

This is all just based on what I've read so far, so any insight you can offer would be great (to a person who's looking at getting some jodhpurs and dying / painting them).

 

Thanks!

[tigger68[501st]]

Hey Tiffanie, I have a question for you. You seemed to have worked with leather before, so you might know.

 

Even if you deglaze a black boot, will you get rid off enough of the black to actually dye the leather white? Most black jodhpurs that i've seen that were "dyed" didn't turn out that great. The better ones have been painted, since the white paint is more opaque than leather dye, is it not?

 

Also, the Feibings white leather dye is spirit based (which I assume grabs better than water based paints). Would you still need to sand the leather first?

 

This is all just based on what I've read so far, so any insight you can offer would be great (to a person who's looking at getting some jodhpurs and dying / painting them).

 

Thanks!

 

Even with deglazing you won't be able to get rid of all the black dye. When commercial leather is dyed they dye the whole skin so it is practically saturated. Also, I would be really wary of sanding leather. The tanned edge is the one that provides smoothness and strength to the skin. I know this sounds weird, and I've seen where others have sanded and Dremeled and had fairly good results, but I'm going to try the Febring's dye and see what happens. One thing that I forgot to mention about dyeing leather is that the leather needs to be damp prior to the dye being applied. This opens the leather and allows it to absorb the dye more efficiently. Okay, I think I'll take the suggestion above and write out a tutorial on the basics of dyeing leather. I'll post it here as soon as I get the chance, probably later tonight.

 

As for completing the look, Mark (mentioned above) recommended using a shoe whitener to finish it off. I was going to recommend this also, but use it before putting on the finishing coat. Kiwi makes a great product, and having been a user of their shoe whitener (polish) for several years in a marching band it is easy to apply and you can always carry it with you for touch ups. Again, I would put it under the finish coat. The finish coat will seal the color, and you can use the whitener (polish) for touch ups.

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Thanks Tiffanie, looking forward to seeing the tutorial! I'm also looking into paint methods, as I forgot a Used to use special paints for airbrushing fabric, and I found that some are designed for use on leather. I might try this out, pending your results!

 

Thanks in advance.

[TK-2126_MD[TK]]

I dremeld the black dye and paint the raw leather with white leather dye and didnt look back. they look like new.

[tigger68[501st]]

I dremeld the black dye and paint the raw leather with white leather dye and didnt look back. they look like new.

Cool. If it works, then I can't say anything against it. The dremel tool removed the finish and allowed the white dye to adhere. If it works, I'm all for it. I have never dremelled leather and perhaps I'll purchase some to play with...just to see what happens and what effects I can achieve. Unfortunately my white boots for my TK uniform will have to wait until I finish my TIE pilot's uniform since that was what I started with... :tie: but as soon as I start dyeing my jodjpur boots, I'll post a WIP thread. I promise.