Dyeing Brown Leather boots to a Dark Navy

[Bluemans]

Hey guys, im new to all things Leather. Ive recently purchased some Brown Wrangler Texas Mid Boots. I want to dye them to a dark navy, but they come with an oiled leather texture. I've read that oiled cannot be dyed; that being said, I've seen/heard of people dyeing their Birkenstock Sandals which also have an oiled leather finish, I believe.

 

Anyhow, apologies for the probable incorrect use of terms etc

[fredk]

There is a way which I use but would not recommend on new quality boots or bags as if it goes wrong the item can be ruined

You need to break through the top finish. To do that I wash the item down with cellulose thinners. A lot of. I really scrub it down. This removes the top finish and also removes some of the dyed colour, leaving the item looking a mess of patchwork of very pale areas of dyed and maybe dye-removed places. Then I wash it down with soapy water. Whilst its still drying I start to put the dye colour I want on. The dye is thinned down. It takes several coats of dye to get the colour built up and even. When the dye is looking good the item gets an oiling with Neetsfoot Oil as the oils in the item were removed by the cellulose thinners, After the item has dried I give it a feed and polish with a beeswax mixture I use. 

[Bluemans]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

There is a way which I use but would not recommend on new quality boots or bags as if it goes wrong the item can be ruined

You need to break through the top finish. To do that I wash the item down with cellulose thinners. A lot of. I really scrub it down. This removes the top finish and also removes some of the dyed colour, leaving the item looking a mess of patchwork of very pale areas of dyed and maybe dye-removed places. Then I wash it down with soapy water. Whilst its still drying I start to put the dye colour I want on. The dye is thinned down. It takes several coats of dye to get the colour built up and even. When the dye is looking good the item gets an oiling with Neetsfoot Oil as the oils in the item were removed by the cellulose thinners, After the item has dried I give it a feed and polish with a beeswax mixture I use. 

Worst case scenario, the boots can still be painted right?

[Tastech]

Here's my 10 cents worth . As a shoe maker i dye a lot of shoes . Both new and old . As a rule you can only go darker than the original color .  Oiled leather can be done and is easier than most shoe leathers .The process is as follows .

I use a leather stripper not thinners or acetone . Its available from a shoe repair wholesaler . Get about 1 litre and you might use about half . Use a clean cloth and keep replenishing the cloth regularly as it gets dirty . Allow about an hour between each stripping  action . When you are satisfied that you have removed enough color and oil and the boots look lighter give it another strip for good luck .

 I use a strong dye called Raven oil  Its more concentrated than your average spirit dye  . Shoe repair wholesalers should have it . It will take about 3 coats using a cotton balls and allow 2 hours between coats . Check for any streaking but don't worry because you always do . Allow to dry for a day .

Buff up the boots with a cloth or brush . You then need to moisturize. Put the boots outside in the sun to warm them and apply a leather conditioner .  The warm leather will absorb the conditioner . Buff off with a cloth and repeat . You can then apply a navy blue polishing cream . Don't use a wax polish that comes in a tin , that is for a different leather . the cream polish contains color pigment , conditioner and a light wax . any streaking should be blended in and will not be noticeable . If it is we call it patina . I prefer to use a brand called Saphir for the conditioner . Its called renoveteur  its a mink oiled based conditioner and is the best i have used ,Its a bit pricey  but not in the big picture of things . Use a navy blue Saphir cream polish if you  can get it because it is higher quality and contains more pigment . Having said that the US brand Angelus is also good . 

Post a before and after shot if you can . Or post a before photo so i can check it out and advise you from there .

[Tastech]

To give a bit of confidence in what you are about to do .Check out a youtube channel called "elegant oxford" . He has a few videos where he dyes old shoes .His work is very impressive . Just follow his process .

[Bluemans]

First of all, thanks guys for all the helpful replies. Just  had a thought;  I've seen this post:

 

Do you guys think that the Wranglers would make the navy blue dye into a really dark, near black colour? It would be ideal, ad I'm trying to get a finish much like the attached images.