2 questions for the LJ hivemind

[cupcake_goth]

- Can battered patent leather boots be repaired? The storage room cleaning unearthed a pair of lace-up, pointy-toe goth boots (yay!), but the patent finish is peeling across the creases on the toes. The leather of the boots seems in good condition, there are just spots where the shiny shiny finish is cracked and peeling. (It reminds me of peeling black nail polish.) Should I take the boots to my cobbler and see if he can rejuvenate them?

- If I wanted to turn some dark purple cotton velveteen black, what color dye bath should I simmer it in? My instinct is forest green, but I'm not entirely sure.

Comments

[valdary.livejournal.com]

They can paint on a liquid coating, yes a bit like nail varnish, but give them a try

[mineke.livejournal.com]

I bought some black dye from another company called idye which I've been told is far superior to rit. I'll post a review soon... I obtained it at Blick on Cap Hill if you're interested in also experimenting :)

[bijouxdejais.livejournal.com]

I have this same crackling issue with a pair of Ferragamo pumps. I've just accepted the wear as a sort of patina (although maybe it was easy to do that only because I paid $2 for them...)

[tiatsuchi.livejournal.com]

Idye is good, however, I suggest that you dry Dharma procion dyes. It can give you a very dark black. You do, however, need to also purchase some chemicals to set the dye. There's some information at the bottom of the page about that, as well as a comparison of the four different blacks they carry. It sounds like either #39 or #250 would work for you.

[juliannelefay.livejournal.com]

I would just use black dye, if you try to do colour maths you risk getting brown!

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Seconding taking your shoes to your cobbler, he should be able to repair them.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you any advice on dyes since we only have simplicol around here (and you dye in your washing machine like doing laundry, I already ), but I'd second taking a good black dye since trying to use complementary colours seems to be a waste of effort, if your desired result is actually black.

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

+ did it, it's easy as nothing and you get good results

[rocket-jockey.livejournal.com]

If anyone in town is able to re-finish patent leather, or know who in the area can, it'd likely be Chick's shoe repair on Mercer Island (7637 SE 27th St, Mercer Island 206-232-9414). They've been fixing shoes, purses and other leather goods forever.