Types of paints for suede shoes, recommendations for their use

Expert: Kristina Davydova

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Natural suede is a difficult material to handle and requires careful and regular care. A significant role in this process is played by the product used to maintain the well-groomed appearance of the products. These are paints, sprays, etc. How to choose the right product and use it correctly? Let's try to sort out these questions in our ranking of the best.

Reasons for loss of original appearance

Suede is a capricious material that requires special treatment. Proper shoe care involves daily cleaning and treatment with a protective agent. A special brush is used for this: one side removes dust, the other restores the pile. The built-in eraser removes stains from light-colored surfaces.

Improper care leads to a rapid loss of appearance of suede shoes. The material becomes rougher and loses its shape, the color becomes faded and uneven. To prevent this from happening ahead of time, you need to avoid the following mistakes:

1. Wet cleaning. It is highly undesirable to get suede wet, so dirt should be removed with a brush after it has completely dried.
2. Drying near the battery. Any shoe material dries out and becomes rough after heating. As a result, the color of suede fades.
3. Wearing in rainy weather. When wet, the color washes out of suede. If there are no other shoes, you need to apply a water-repellent compound to your shoes or boots.
4. Operation in severe frosts. When the temperature outside drops below minus 20 ℃, it is better to wear boots made of smooth leather, since suede, especially colored suede, quickly loses its appearance in such conditions.
5. Ignoring protective equipment. Impregnations that protect against dust and moisture must be applied before each exit to the street. This will extend the life of the shoes and preserve their appearance.
6. The choice of shoes is not the right size. In this case, it becomes deformed, and the fastenings of the heel and other elements may be damaged.

If dirt on suede cannot be removed using the dry method, prepare a solution of soap or ammonia. It should be applied and washed off with a damp sponge.

Wet cleaning

Drying near the battery

Wearing in rainy weather

Operation in severe frosts

Ignoring protective equipment

Choosing the wrong size shoes

Rules for choosing paint

To dye suede shoes black at home, you don’t have to look for a specialized department. It is enough to visit a small retail outlet or choose a product in online catalogs. In this case, only the structure of the material is taken into account.

Painting suede shoes in any other color requires precise selection of shade. Then the product will lie evenly, without creating dark or light spots. To cover significant abrasions in the material, choose a composition that is a shade darker. To select the correct paint color for suede shoes, it is better to take the product with you to the appropriate department and seek help from a consultant.

The second criterion for choosing a professional product is the structure of the material. For short piles, spray paint is most suitable. Shoes and sandals usually have this surface. The long and hard pile of winter boots or boots must be carefully painted, so the liquid substance is applied with a brush or sponge.

It is more convenient to paint high suede boots with aerosols. It is difficult to achieve uniform distribution of pigment over a large surface area using another application method.

Spray paint is suitable for short pile

For long and hard pile, use a liquid substance

Colors

Expensive suede shoes can have different colors. To preserve the surface for a long time, you need to choose a suitable shade. In branded stores there is only high-quality paint. Blue is a relatively rare color, and it is not so easy to choose a protective agent for it.

If the desired tone is not available on sale, then you need to combine several shades. Blue color is presented in a single form. If you need to make it lighter, then add white, and if you need a dark tone, then mix it with black.

Types of funds

You can update the color of your shoes at home with the same quality as in a shoe shop. To achieve this, it is important to choose a product suitable for the type of material. To ensure reliable results, it is better to give preference to paints from well-known brands.

Shoes, sandals or boots made of suede can be painted without the slightest expense. To do this, proven traditional methods are used. They work reliably, but the effect does not last as long as with professional products. The main difference between homemade paints for suede shoes is safety. All of them are absolutely harmless and do not require special precautions. You can use them as often as needed.

Folk remedies for dyeing suede are only suitable for lightly refreshing the color. Shoes that are too worn are restored exclusively with professional paints.

Professional

Paints for suede and nubuck are always produced in liquid form. The trademarks Salton, Kiwi, Salamander won the greatest demand. It is difficult to get confused in the varieties of pigmented products for suede shoes, since the standard range is small. All manufacturers produce formulations in three types:

1. Cream paint. Bottle with pigmented liquid. The kit may include a sponge. Otherwise, you will need to separately purchase a sponge or brush to apply the composition.
2. Paint-balsam. The release form is similar to the previous one - a bottle with a coloring liquid substance. The balm penetrates deeper into the material and contains natural ingredients. The increased concentration of pigments allows you to use the product economically.
3. Spray paint or aerosol paint. Available in the form of a spray bottle. This painting method is the easiest and fastest.

Dyes for nubuck shoes are suitable for dyeing suede. This information is usually indicated on the packaging.

Cream paint

Paint-balsam

Spray paint

Folk

For those who cannot stand the smell of chemicals or simply want to save money, traditional painting methods are suitable. Only owners of black, blue, brown and white boots will be able to use them. The result is obvious, but does not last long.

You can use coffee to dye your shoes without much effort. The process consists of rubbing warm, slightly damp coffee grounds into the material. After drying, it is removed with a brush. To lightly refresh the color, wipe the shoes with a sponge moistened with strong brewed coffee. Only black and brown suede are dyed this way.

A black or blue transfer paper patina works great for updating suede shoes in matching colors. You need to gently rub it with the sticky layer of the shoe, paying special attention to the whitish areas. This method attracts users with its simplicity, but the results do not last long.

The appearance of suede boots or white shoes is refreshed with a mixture of equal amounts of full-fat milk and chalk. Instead of the latter, you can take sports magnesium or talc. The composition is applied for one hour and then removed with a dry brush.

Black and brown suede are dyed using coffee grounds

Black or blue transfer paper is suitable for updating shoes of matching colors

White shoes are refreshed by a mixture of equal amounts of fat milk and chalk (talc, magnesia)

Manufacturers rating

When choosing which paint to buy, you should pay attention to the following brands:

• Saphir - French manufacturer;
• Salamander Professional - German brand;
• Salton is a Russian manufacturer.

According to customer reviews, they cope with their task more effectively than others. Their advantages and disadvantages are presented in the table.

How much painting will cost depends on the chosen manufacturer and type of shoe. For example, more money will be spent on boots and winter boots than on a summer pair. The price of pleasure will range from 500 to 1500 rubles.

Preparatory stage

Before you dye suede shoes at home, you need to do the proper preparation. This largely determines what the result will be. You need to do the following

• wash and dry the sole;
• clean the suede with a dry brush;
• remove stubborn stains using one of the appropriate methods;
• seal the sole with tape;
• fill the internal space with crumpled paper;
• remove laces and decorative elements.

Wash and dry the soles

Clean the suede with a dry brush

Cover the sole with tape

Fill the inner space with crumpled paper

Remove laces and decorative elements.
Dirty and shiny places must be thoroughly cleaned, otherwise they will become even more noticeable under the applied paint. The following products will help remove stubborn stains:

• soap solution;
• water with ammonia;
• white stationery eraser;
• a mixture of water and vinegar (1:1);
• a glass of milk with a teaspoon of soda.

After using cleaning liquid solutions, shoes must be dried at room temperature. Before painting, the pile on the treated areas is lifted with a suede brush.

Soap solution

Water with ammonia

A mixture of water and vinegar

White office eraser

A glass of milk with a teaspoon of soda

Painting

Before dyeing suede, you need to carefully select the location for the process. To minimize the harm of chemicals, it is better to carry out the operation outdoors. If this is not possible, you can sit on the balcony or near an open window. It is important to take measures not to stain your hands and the surface on which you will be working.

At the time of painting, shoes must be completely dry. In order for the composition to penetrate deeply and cover the surface evenly, it is necessary to thoroughly comb the pile with a rubber brush.

Aerosol

Before painting suede boots or shoes, you need to shake the can thoroughly. Staining is carried out according to the following rules:

• the distance from the cylinder to the surface of the shoe is 20-30 cm;
• The angle of inclination of the aerosol must be stable;
• painting is carried out in several stages;
• Each coat of paint must be completely dry before applying the next one.

When spray painting shoes, it is especially important to protect the sole and interior.

Foam or liquid paint

It’s not difficult to figure out how to properly use liquid coloring agent or foam. Instructions are often placed on the packaging. If there is a sponge at the end of the bottle, you need to turn it over and wait for the foam to soak. Using a sponge or brush that is not built into the bottle, it is convenient to pour the paint into a small, wide container.

With liquid paint you can qualitatively transform your favorite pair of shoes for a long time. To do this, you need to apply the composition using driving movements. Rubbing paint over the surface, which is used for smooth leather, is absolutely not suitable for suede shoes.

Wool paint for suede

There is another way to recolor suede shoes, such as using a wool product. This paint gives an aesthetic and durable result. First you need to dilute the substance according to the instructions. For a longer lasting effect, add a few drops of vinegar to the solution.

Apply two or three layers of wool product gradually to boots or shoes using a sponge or brush. It is important to paint all the whitish areas evenly. Each time you need to wait until the previous layer has completely dried. At the end, apply a two percent vinegar solution.

Reviews

Christina, 26 years old: “I bought blue paint for suede. I painted my shoes and am very pleased. True, I had to paint it 3 times. But the color turned out very beautiful, similar to the original.”

Diana, 31 years old: “Last year I bought suede boots in a cool blue color. It only lasted one winter and the snow on the front made the color lighter. I started looking for a suitable dye. They advised it to be better to take it in aerosol form. I had a hard time finding the right color. It turns out that not all manufacturers produce blue paint in cans. But I was satisfied with the end result. The shade turned out almost identical to the original.”

Thus, painting suede yourself will not be difficult. Shoe stores sell a sufficient range of different products for this procedure. Difficulties can only arise with the color blue. But there is no need to despair. If such paint is not available in the store, you can easily find it on the Internet.

Precautionary measures

Suede dyes are not extremely dangerous, but require careful handling. If you ignore protective measures, you can harm yourself and others. While working, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:

• be in the fresh air or with open access to it, so as not to be poisoned by chemical fumes;
• wear rubber gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands from pigment;
• when working with aerosol, wear a respirator to protect the respiratory tract;
• Cover the working surface (floor or table) with oilcloth so as not to stain it with paint.

Children and pets should not be near the painting area. You need to work without distractions to evenly distribute the pigmented composition. To ensure the quality of the paint job, the boots are inspected in natural light. To dry, dyed suede shoes are placed in a place inaccessible to animals and small children.

Be in the fresh air

Wear rubber gloves and long sleeves

Use a respirator

Cover the work surface from paint

Consolidation of results and prevention

After the work has been done, it’s time to check the result. If neither the first nor the second layer gives the desired effect, it is necessary to apply a third. This often happens when you need to dye suede shoes a different color. If the check reveals that the surface has become uniform, you need to consolidate the result.

The main task of the last stage is to protect the shoes from dirt and water, which contribute to the removal of pigment. For this purpose, special dust-repellent and water-repellent impregnations are used. Operation of the updated pair should begin no earlier than one day after applying the coloring composition.

To ensure that the color lasts on suede shoes for a long time, you must adhere to the following tips:

• try to remove any dirt without water, using a suede brush;
• If dirt has stuck, you should wait for it to dry completely before cleaning;
• Do not allow suede to get wet in the rain;
• treat the surface with a protective agent before each exit;
• Suede shoes should be sent for storage only after cleaning and complete drying;
• Store in a fabric bag so that air can penetrate freely.

Anyone can paint suede with high quality at home. This does not require experience or knowledge of the intricacies of the process. It is enough to follow the instructions above. To get a lasting result, you need to properly prepare the surface and apply the coloring agent layer by layer. Regular use of protective compounds will help maintain the results for a long time.

Remove dirt without water using a suede brush

Do not let the suede get wet in the rain

Treat the surface of shoes with a protective agent

Send for storage after cleaning and complete drying.

Store in a cloth bag

How to dye suede boots

Suede boots require special care. Since they are very often covered with dust, and in certain areas they are very worn out. In order for them to retain their appearance for a long time, they must be tinted or repainted.

Suede boots are dyed in the following order:

1. You should worry about purchasing spray paint in advance. It can be purchased at any specialized store.
2. Cover the working surface with plastic wrap or newspapers; wear old clothes and rubber gloves.
3. Before painting, boots should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dried.
4. It is better to start work from a less noticeable area. Apply the paint smoothly and carefully to avoid streaks. First, apply one strip, give it five minutes to dry, then apply the next strip next to it. With this application, you can see the uniformity of paint application.

Upon completion of the work, the boots need to dry thoroughly. If the need arises, the procedure should be repeated.

Is it possible to repaint suede sneakers this way? You can just paint them using a spray or liquid paint of white color. The procedure is similar to dyeing boots.