My Allen Edmonds Dalton Boot Dye Experiment!

[Moonshine]

Hey Guys,

I’ve been meaning to post pics of my shoe dye experience for a while so here goes. I bought these Allen Edmonds Daltons in gray due to the awesome deal they had on several styles in gray (I guess the gray leather was a bust for AE?) Anyway my plan was to dye them from the start, hopefully being able to go to a rich cordovan color, and a worst case scenario of black. I’m not much of a black shoe guy (I would have much preferred the Dalton boot in Walnut…), but there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a nice pair of black shoes for occasions that call for them! I started out by using deglazer on the shoes to get the shine off and prepare the leather to take the dye. The deglazer did a decent job of removing the polish/top coat and got the color down to a matte gray.

I suppose the color could have been further removed but I was anxious to get on with the project so they only got 2 applications of deglazer before moving on to the cordovan dye. Yes, the dye used was cordovan, not black, but they pretty much turned out black, with some subtle undertones of a dark brown/reddish color. No need to apply the black dye! The initial color was a grayish brown, but with a bit of polish they settled down into a nice color that I think will look great with some wear. I like the boots, having worn them 2 times now, and I was very surprised by their comfort; they were initially more comfortable than my similarly styled McAllisters were when new. I’ve got some flat waxed laces to install, which won’t make a huge difference but I think I’ll like them better than the current round laces. (We’re a fickle bunch, aren’t we?)

 

[CircuitRider]

From past experience...If you polish with cordovan...they will still look more cordavan than black. Look great to me!

 

[SteveAS]

Nice result. Thanks for posting your method and photos!

 

[Mr Badger]

Nice work! I think they look great! :eusa_clap

I haven't gone to the length of dyeing any footwear yet, but I've attempted to tint overly-bright white leather on coupla pairs of spectators and also even-out the colour on a pair of vintage engineer boots using the appropriate polishes...

I wager that your boots will develop a fantastic patina, which will really complement that of any vintage leather jacket you choose to wear them with...

If you do manage to get more of a cordovan colour via repeated applications of polish, as CircuitRider suggested, please post some pics... here's a quick pic of my vintage engineer/western-style Acme boots, which were originally very unevenly coloured – they've gradually developed a lovely 'marl', owing to repeated applications of a cordovan polish:

 

[Isshinryu101]

nice!

 

[feltfan]

Nice and nice to know I'll have options should I not like the gray when/if it arrives.
I expect I will like and find useful the gray color, but I won't know till I see them.

After waiting weeks I sent AE an inquiry and received this:

Dear Sir,

We apologize for the delay on this order.

According to manufacturing the first pair of the Dalton boots we made for you did not pass our quality control standards. The second pair will be completed in approximately 3 weeks. I have upgraded the shipping to 2-day Air so you will receive them sooner once they are completed.

Again we apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

[Moonshine]

Thanks for the posts, guys!

FF,

Sorry for your wait, but isn't it nice to know that AE customer service was upfront about the delay and willing to accomidate you with upgraded shipping! Post pics when you get them, as I'm curious to see how much "age" the gray on your shoes has compared to mine.

 

[feltfan]

Agree and will do.

 

[Preacher Man]

Moonshine, you did a great job with your Dalton color change! I wish I'd thought of it myself and taken advantage of the lower price of the gray color. I've got a pair of AE Cordovan Daltons, bought before they got as expensive as they are now, love em! Like you say, they are a very comfortable boot. When you start using those flat waxed laces, tell us how you like them and show us how they look. I'm interested to know! Thanks and wear your newly colored boots well sir!!

 

[cookie]

Moonshine, you did a great job with your Dalton color change! I wish I'd thought of it myself and taken advantage of the lower price of the gray color. I've got a pair of AE Cordovan Daltons, bought before they got as expensive as they are now, love em! Like you say, they are a very comfortable boot. When you start using those flat waxed laces, tell us how you like them and show us how they look. I'm interested to know! Thanks and wear your newly colored boots well sir!!

This.

You got a very even colour. When polishing you need to use a renovating cream to get plenty of cordovan colour in. Not wax at the start.

Wax to finish.

 

[dhermann1]

I would like to see them on your feet, all laced up. Very nice job!

 

[feltfan]

Mine arrived yesterday. I do like the way they look, though you wouldn't confuse them with vintage.
They appear to need some break-in and probably boot socks, not dress. Boy do they creak with waxiness.
I can imagine that removing the finish on your Daltons in order to dye them was necessary and some work.

BTW, Moonshine, mine look pretty darn identical to your. I will try to get some photos this week, depending
on various constraints.

 

[Enough]

Great job. I dyed a pair of old Frye boots with Fiebings dye. They were a tan to orange color which I didn't like. I used maroon dye and they turned out cordovan. The remaining base color influences the result. I think they look terrific the way they are but if you were really after cordovan you could try de-glasing again and using a maroon or red dye.

 

[jkingrph]

I received mine today, after ordering the first week of March. According to e mails they ran out of the gray leather and had to reorder at which point it was backordered.

They are looking good with black slacks right now, and should be good with navy, and possibly gray so I will leave them as is for the time being, before I make any irreversible changes. I have enough footwear in dark brown, black and cordovan so a change will be nice.