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Dyeing shoes is considered by some to be an art, not a science, and it is for this reason that you should leave this art to a professional shoe dyer. If you are considering purchasing a pair of shoes online from a supplier who does not offer this service, look for a professional close to your home. Most shoe repair shops dye shoes as well, this should not be difficult to find.
Having this professional shoe dyer come to your home can help when you have to be in contact with them in order to select color swatches and check color hues. This can help make matching the colors much easier. This is important because mixing colors is not an easy job and you may need to approve the final color. You can be sure of what your shoes are going to look like when they have been dyed.
However, if you are dealing with a company or online store from whom you have bought your dress or outfit from, they are in possession of your fabric colors already, and you should have no problem with the results.
First Steps to Success
It is good to know that dyeing your shoes can take one week to ten days. If you want your shoes ready to wear on the day of your celebration, you need to allocate enough time.
Choosing the correct color is obviously the first stage, but cleaning the shoes comes next and is extremely important. Even if the shoes are new, they need to be cleaned and prepared as any dirt may show up as white spots after dyeing. Different fabrics require different cleaning methods. For instance, leather shoes have a protective surface applied to the material during the tanning process, which has to be removed before dyeing. Removing this protective layer makes the leather more receptive to dye. The cleaner should be applied with a damp cloth. Some leathers have a lacquer coating and this has to be removed using a solvent.
A different cleaning preparation is used for suede shoes in order to restore the original surface of the fabric. It is very important after cleaning to allow the suede to dry completely before the dyeing process. Using an aerosol suede spray is preferable as they are convenient and they keep moisture to a minimum. If you intend dyeing satin or synthetic materials use only cleaning materials that are suitable to that fabric and follow the advised method for cleaning. Allow the shoe to dry completely for going on to the next stage.
Ensuring a good end
Once you have chosen your color or matched it to your fabric, the dye has to be mixed. At this stage, it is a good idea to ask a professional for a color swatch before commencing with the dyeing process as this can eliminate any future problems with the final product.
Not all dyes are suitable for every application. The dye chosen has to be correct for the material of the shoe. Most dyes are specific to a fabric type and may not work on other types of fabric. The dyes that are used for satin or material fabric shoes are generally water based and are therefore not waterproof. It is advisable to seal the shoe with a water repellent spray before wearing them. This should also help prevent staining. On this note, satin shoes accept deep color tones such as navy and burgundy very well and due to the reflective quality of the material, you may experience the greatest variance in colors between outdoor and indoor lighting. Unfortunately, once dyed, satin shoes should not be cleaned.
Everything in-between
Therefore, once you have bought your shoes, it is time to for the professional to take over. He or she can help you with the final color selection; choose the correct type of dye dependent on the fabric, clean the shoes and then the art of the dyeing process can begin. Satin and material shoes absorb more dye more easily, while the process is trickier for leather and suede.
The dye should be applied using a small amount of the dye on a small sponge, spreading it evenly and thinly over the entire shoe. If too much dye is applied, streaks may appear which can be difficult to control. It is usually necessary to apply more than one coat in order to achieve the desired color. Between each coat, the dye must be allowed to dry completely. Should any scratches or blemishes become noticeable on the shoe, use a small brush dipped in the dye to touch up these areas.
A full twenty-four hours should be allocated to allow the shoes to dry completely before wearing and a protective coating should be applied to leather. This conditions the leather while helping to maintain the color.
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