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.