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Original poster

Has anyone successfully dyed Dr Martens?

18 replies

highlighta · 15/01/2021 07:28

I have a purple pair of boots, and I think I would wear them a lot more if they were a more neutral colour.

So I was considering dyeing them brown. Has anyone done this successfully and not wrecked their boots?

I don't know whether to give it a try, or just buy a brown pair (but the budget is not really there for the latter). It seems a shame that I don't wear them as much as I could, just because they don't match with my outfits all that well.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 15/01/2021 07:41

I’ve never managed to successfully dye leather shoes, and I also have a pair of DMs in a colour I don’t like anymore. I’m considering eBaying them, but they’ll be heavy on postage. I had them in FB Marketplace for a bit, but no interest.

Original poster
highlighta · 15/01/2021 08:41

There is quite a lot of info on Reddit, the problem is not many seem to come back to update whether the dye peeled or if the colour change lasted.

Mine are in excellent condition, so its such a risk.

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 15/01/2021 08:58

Can you tone the purple down with a brown polish? Don't think of it as dyeing them, but muting them?

What colour are the eyelets?

picklemewalnuts · 15/01/2021 08:59

Or get a purple scarf and wear it with everything!

KeyworkerSchworker · 15/01/2021 09:01

I also have never managed it successfully (see also dyeing clothes a colour I actually like rather than a mushy version of it with stitching in white)

I’d sell them.

JustAMessOhYes · 15/01/2021 09:06

Sell them. There is a huge thriving market for 2nd hand DM's. Put the money towards a new pair. they will never look quite right dyed.

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 15/01/2021 09:11

I have an excellent cobbler locally (not Timpsons, a proper old guy whose shop smells of ancient polish) who'd give great advice about anything like that.

Otherwise fb marketplace, or collection only on fb?

Rangoon · 15/01/2021 09:12

If you get one of the soak in dyes it won't peel off because it will soak into the leather. I don't fancy your chances though of changing purple to brown though - they might end up rather mud coloured. The most success I have had with shoe dye is perking up black suede shoes that have got a bit faded and not had much success with changing colours.

Original poster
highlighta · 15/01/2021 09:14

@picklemewalnuts

Can you tone the purple down with a brown polish? Don't think of it as dyeing them, but muting them?

What colour are the eyelets?

I didn't think of just polishing them, although again that makes me a bit nervous as it could come out uneven.

The eyelets are black.

OP posts:
Original poster
highlighta · 15/01/2021 09:15

@picklemewalnuts

Or get a purple scarf and wear it with everything!
I think this might be a safer (and cheaper) option...... Smile
OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 15/01/2021 12:02

This place does many many colours of polish. If you got a shade darker than you currently have, something like the dark aubergine, or the mahogany, that would probably do it!
I've used hot pink/fuscia on a pair of shoes, worried about matching the colour up, but it was intense enough to just cover everything beneath it- all the salt and water stains etc. It was a very soft, absorbent leather, though.

www.amazon.co.uk/TRG-One-Unisex-Adult-Treatments-Polishes/dp/B00JOHZ1IQ

unbalancedBella · 15/01/2021 14:57

I read somewhere that the original DMs came in black or cherry red and it was common in the 60s and 70s to polish the cherry ones with black polish to get the "oxblood" colour.

Me? I'd just wear the purple ones....

torquewench · 15/01/2021 15:37

Are they smooth leather or grainy? I had a pair of smooth red ones and the leather didnt look particularly like theyd take a dye too well (in fact didnt look or feel like leather at all!), they were shiny. Flogged em on ebay no bother too 😉

Original poster
highlighta · 15/01/2021 18:39

Thanks everyone.

I think I'm going to just hang on to them as is, as I'm worried that I will wreck them if I attempt a colour change. As pp said, I would have to go quite dark to cover up the colour anyway.

And they are the Clemency boot and I havent found many of this style to repurchase if I stuff them up.

I need to find a scarf and plan some new outfits I think. Smile

OP posts:
MustardMitt · 15/01/2021 19:10

I dyed a pair of boots using a leather dye - not Doc Martens. They were green (although muted rather than bright) and I dyed them brown, it worked really really well actually. Didn't flake or peel or anything. Pretty sure it was Dylon brand. They were 'shiny' leather although I can't say whether they were as shiny as DMs. Actually I must dig them out, I love those boots.

Is there part of the tongue low down into the laces that you could try it out?

Diverseduvet · 15/01/2021 19:15

I would try going over with the shoe dye you paint on with a sponge. If it doesn't work you can wash it off with a little effort.

Letsskidaddle · 16/01/2021 13:39

I've seen some that have been literally painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. They looked amazing and I've used Annie Sloan to paint other leather item. The paint doesn't go hard and crack but seems to 'soak' in to the leather instead. I can honestly vouch for the success of that brand of paint on leather.

ILoveShula · 16/01/2021 14:13

Don't use paint.

Sell them on ebay. Postage will be about £3.20.

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