Restoring faded suede shoes?

[theyare]

I have a pair of dark brown suede shoes that are getting pretty light toward the toe area. What's the best way to go about restoring / darkening them back to the original color (same as the rest of the shoe)? They are worn enough that my simple brushing doesn't work. Is there an alternative?

 

[MyOtherLife]

A competant cobbler may be able to spray on new dye, or you can just embrace the wear as a mark of character.

 

[theyare]

Thanks! Anyone else weigh in or have before after pics?

 

[juvefan]

How much would a reasonable cobbler charge?

 

[lefty]

Look for a product called Suede Renew.

lefty

 

[NOBD]

Originally Posted by theyare

Thanks! Anyone else weigh in or have before after pics?

I used the right one: RÃ

novateur, colour 05 - marron foncÃ

(dark brown).

Sprayed the left shoe, brushed the right one (against the nap).

Both sprayed. The left on already dried a little and is a bit lighter because of that.

I'd use gloves. The spray is rather 'painty'. And I'd only use it on dark brown shoes.

After an hour:

 

[niidawg3]

nicely done NOBD!!

 

[lee_44106]

^that's an amazing, info-filled answer to a question.

By the way, how is the Saphir suede renovateur different from your run of the mill suede protector spray, which also naturally darkens the suede?



NVM: found this on Will's blog/sale site:

"Saphir's Renovateur Suede/Nubuck spray cleans, re-colors, and waterproofs suede and Nubuck shoes, leather goods and clothing while the sweet almond oil in the spray is helping to maintain the silky appearance of the skin.

Offered in black, neutral, dark brown and medium brown."

 

[NOBD]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

By the way, how is the Saphir suede renovateur different from your run of the mill suede protector spray, which also naturally darkens the suede?

You mean colourless protector spray? The colour-renovateur* stays dark(er) after drying. It contains quite a lot of pigment.

*) There's a colourless one as well. I don't know how that one differs from the Invulner, which I use for my other (coloured) suede shoes.

 

[NORE]

Awesome NOBD thanks!

 

[kev777]

This is what SF should be all about, a question asked and a fantastic concise imformative answer. No bloody snark or axe to grind and hopefully this is why SF will survive. NOBD your a credit welldone my friend.

 

[pebblegrain]

Whoa.

I wonder if this would work to darken my camel-colored chukkas

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by NOBD

...

the mother theresa of suede owner's

the bottles with sponge applicator work for me also. very good results, though they don't seem to have almond oil as ingredient.

 

[theyare]

Amazing, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks nobd!

 

[NachoBroadway]

Originally Posted by kev777

This is what SF should be all about, a question asked and a fantastic concise imformative answer. No bloody snark or axe to grind and hopefully this is why SF will survive. NOBD your a credit welldone my friend.

yes!