Club Obi Wan

Ok, I'll just preface this by saying I have already done a couple of searches and read through numerous older threads on this subject but I still need a bit of help. I want to try to dye my 405s to the Raiders brown color. From what I've read (dalexs posts) it appears that Fiebing's leather dye is the way to go. I also need to apply their deglazer first as well. Then 2 coats of Fiebing's with drying I between each coat. Is that the correct method and dye color or am I missing something. I want that color badly but I also don't want to ruin a $435 pair of boots. My wife would kill me! Lol! Thanks in advance.

I agree with _ 100% here. Go to a cobbler. Altering a $435 pair of shoes is nothing to wing yourself.

-TS

It might be easier to get a pair made in the colour you want...

Dang, my ears are ringing again...

Honestly, I'm the kind of guy that just likes to screw with things (AND, I'm a cheap SOB.)

If you want a really good job done, take it to a cobbler. They'll use the same procedure mentioned in your search results, but they do it all the time and will do it right the first time.

And it should only cost you about $25-50.

I only paid $200 + for my shoes, and I had alot of time on my hands at the time to experiment.

I did my own 405s with a $10 bottle of dark brown leather dye from my local shoe guy. It worked fine.

Thanks for the advice, folks. I'm still on the fence about doing it myself or taking them to a local cobbler. Luke, can you post a couple of pics of your 405s that you did yourself?

It's ok, I'm probably going to call a couple of cobblers today and inquire about the dye job. I probably am too chicken to try it myself cuz if I ruin them I will feel sick and my wife will lambaste me. So far, the Meltonian dark brown has darkened them a bit but still won't get rid of the brick undertones as you can see by the pics below. Also, on a side note, I took them to a cobbler here in town recently and had them sew on leather strips to the tongue to correct the slippage issue. That was driving me nuts! It worked out perfectly, no more tongue slippage! Cost=$15.00.

Tongue slippage issue has happened to me also. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Gailen

trdaggers wrote:Tongue slippage issue has happened to me also. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Gailen

Same on some cheap close enoughs. Only the right boot did it but after a very short time the tongue would almost fold itself in half down at the bottom lace! The shoe guy just made a couple of vertical slits in the middle of the tongue and instant loop.

Why not try going to the goodwill and practice dyeing some other shoes?


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Well, I went to a cobbler's shop at lunch and asked about it. They said there is no way to tell what the outcome would be as different types of leather react differently when dyed. I even took him an old pair of Timberlands that I have that look close to what I see on screen and in screengrabs to give him an idea of what I was going for. It didn't sound like he was interested in trying it and he didn't inspire much confidence in me so I left with my brick colored boots in hand. I'll probably just buy a pair of 403s down the road or hold out hopes that I come across a vintage patent brown pair for sale in my size.

I believe you have chosen......wisely.

Regards !Michaelson

_ wrote:

Luke Warmwater wrote:I did my own 405s with a $10 bottle of dark brown leather dye from my local shoe guy. It worked fine.

So... You are encouraging a guy to take a $400+ pair of new shoes and go for it?

Another example of sound judgement...

Yeah, I am. I've dyed two of my four pairs, one black, one dark brown and had no issues either way. I also took a razor knife and cut lace slits into the tongues of my 403s to prevent slippage. Oh, the humanity!

As for my judgement, well, I run into burning buildings for a living, so that's probably suspect.

There are people on this board who throw leather jackets into washing machines to get the look they want, so what's the big deal about dyeing a pair of shoes to get the color one wants?

My experience with the 405s and the Fiebings (russett) went very well. But, as a word of caution, I don't want my Aldens to look "pretty" and was not as worried as some may be about the potential outcome. I'm trying as hard as I can to beat them up. And so far, you would never know it. These shoes are built to last...and I mean last. The only thing that I have managed to damage is the stitching on the top of the toe box, which I assume can be easily replaced by a cobbler.

Honestly though, I never wore them in public until I got rid of that terrible pumpkin color.

IndyOriginal wrote:Honestly though, I never wore them in public until I got rid of that terrible pumpkin color.

And that is exactly why folks started this ritual of tryign to dye them.
I know that models after 2004ish got away from that pumpkin color, and it was an ugly color, those who have them, can attest to that.

After some experimentation, the Russet was the best choice, but I followed the directions of a cobbler to do it.
And as you can see, they did come out pretty well. (They're a bit more worn looking now, but still look great.)


I wish I had grabbed a shot of them in the original, pumpkin color, for comparison,
but I know they are around here somewhere.

I am 100% convinced I can get really good results dying the pumpkin color. I dyed my phone holster from Wade from an orangish tint to a brown and it turned out GREAT!!! Dalexs those are awesome!!!

Several requests, so here are my formerly pumpkin orange 405s, now a nice brown:



$425 shoes beat to #### and dyed. Oh, the humanity.

These 405s are over eight years old. I used some brown shoe polish on them a couple of times several years ago and I give them a dose of Pecard's a couple of times a year. Sometimes I wear them to the office and sometimes I wear them out in the woods. If you take care of them, they'll take care of your feet!

I've had these 405s since 2000 and have always wished they were darker. Thoughts from those who have made the leap?

Cheers!

Nemo1 wrote:These 405s are over eight years old. I used some brown shoe polish on them a couple of times several years ago and I give them a dose of Pecard's a couple of times a year. Sometimes I wear them to the office and sometimes I wear them out in the woods. If you take care of them, they'll take care of your feet!

I like the look and how the undertones are a dark chestnut.

lantzn wrote:
I like the look and how the undertones are a dark chestnut.

Thanks! I'll try not to roast them on any open fires!

Greetings everyone,
Who would have thought you could find an Alden supplier on Oahu? Well, I did so today and took the plunge. I bought a brand new pair of 405s at Leather Soul in Waikiki. The folks there were very friendly and we chatted about the 405 history and I showed the sales guy pictures of the 405s I bought in 2001 (pictured in this thread). He threw in a jar of Alden Dark Brown Fine Boot Cream. I'm toying with the idea of giving them a layer right now, but am unsure! What could possibly go wrong...?

These boots feel great and are 1/2 size smaller than my first pair. That 1/2 size makes all the difference in the world.

If I do end up treating them with the cream and the Pecard brown leather dressing (coming in the mail) I'll post progress pictures.

Cheers,
- W

PS, my 2001 405s are up for auction on ebay - size 10.

Man, you are lucky, Leather Soul has some absolutely gorgeous shoes they have made exclusively for them by Alden. I am rather envious.

ShanghaiJack wrote:Man, you are lucky, Leather Soul has some absolutely gorgeous shoes they have made exclusively for them by Alden. I am rather envious.

You're right, their selection was amazing. I had to get out fast because I had my eye on a pair of beautiful Alden loafers!

I probably won't be going back anytime soon!

Sweet shoes wwtwo!

Yes Leathersoul make the Vintage Indy which is the boot I have been waiting on for when they re-order them. It is to me THE perfect boot. It has the aged look, the lug sole for our wet northwest weather and lots of comfortable add-ons. I sooooo wish they would put in a re-order for this boot. I would love to find a bunch of COW members interested in this boot so I can give them an incentive to do a re-order. They have over a 100 style of shoes and so it can take quite awhile for a model to come around.

http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2008/12/14 ... tage-indy/

lantzn wrote:Sweet shoes wwtwo!

Yes Leathersoul make the Vintage Indy which is the boot I have been waiting on for when they re-order them. It is to me THE perfect boot. It has the aged look, the lug sole for our wet northwest weather and lots of comfortable add-ons. I sooooo wish they would put in a re-order for this boot. I would love to find a bunch of COW members interested in this boot so I can give them an incentive to do a re-order. They have over a 100 style of shoes and so it can take quite awhile for a model to come around.

http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2008/12/14 ... tage-indy/

Thanks, lantzn!

The Vintage Indy is
Leather Soul didn't have THOSE in stock! Can you say "buyer's remorse??" I love my 405s! I love my 405s! I love my 405s! I'll be chanting that throughout today.
Serious question though: is the entire sole lugged, or just the heel? The photos make it seem like just the heel. Also curious as to what the other add-ons are. Any idea?

You might have to count me out on the mass COW order, at least for now. You can imagine why.

Cheers,
W

If you browse their site and search for Indy you'll see MANY versions of custom Indy boots. Read the descriptions and you'll see all the little additions he has added to various boots. Very impressive.

Don't remorse. Also see my response to you in the other thread.

I have other pics of this boot showing the sole. The lug is on the pad as well as the heel. I'll try to find those pics.

They are based on the Ultimate Indy which can be seen in this thread being compared with some 405s.
http://www.styleforum.net/t/132919/j-cr ... y-boots/15