Vlotho TIEFEN Suede and Nubuck Dye

TIEFEN – Suede and Nubuck Dye Suede is a high-quality material that is soft, velvety leather with a fine nap, obtained by sanding the inner side of hides. It is known for its elasticity, pleasant texture to the touch, and natural warmth, making it popular for clothing, footwear, accessories, and upholstery production. Suede has good breathability and wear resistance but requires careful maintenance as it is sensitive to moisture and dirt. Its structure helps maintain shape and provide comfort but can quickly lose its appearance if not properly cared for. To protect and extend its life, special dyes, cleaners, and water-repellent treatments are recommended. IMPORTANT!!! TIEFEN dye is a high-quality penetrating dye for suede, nubuck, and velour. This dye uses modern technology to brighten and refresh suede and nubuck items without damaging the softness, nap, or material structure. Note that penetrating dye does not form an opaque layer on the surface and therefore cannot cover large, dark stains. Before dyeing, the item must be thoroughly cleaned of salts, grease spots, and mechanical dirt. When applied and dried properly, the dye also provides a water-repellent effect on the surface. Dye Color ATTENTION!!! Try to choose a color as close as possible to your item's color, such as shoes, bags, or jackets. If an exact match is not available, choose a color darker than your item’s — this will ensure a more even color distribution and blending. Remember, the dye does not create an additional layer, so the base color remains your item's original color. The selected dye color mixes with your item's color; if darker, it covers more completely; if lighter, it lightly brightens and tones. To achieve a closer shade, you can mix several colors (recommend no more than 3) but this requires skill and knowledge and is best left to a professional workshop. For convenience in mixing or adding a small amount of dye, a special cap with a nozzle can be used. Dye color results from pigments of several colors combined; they vary in weight and may settle unevenly during storage. Shake the bottle thoroughly before use to evenly distribute the pigment in the binder! The white TIEFEN dye is mainly for tinting other colors and for lightening and brightening white items. You cannot turn gray suede shoes white! The dye is suitable for dyeing items darker. Dye colors on screen depend on calibration and quality and may differ from the original. DESCRIPTION OF THE DYE Vlotho Tiefen is a highly concentrated, penetrating water-based dye for unfinished or organically dyed suede, velour, and nubuck with minimal processing. It soaks into the leather and ensures excellent appearance. Suitable for restoring the color of faded old items as well as for creating new hand-dyed products. Suitable for dyeing items darker. INSTRUCTIONS

How to Use

• Test on a hidden area of the item before use.
• Surfaces to be dyed, made of nap leather, suede, or nubuck, must be thoroughly cleaned of stains, salts, and mechanical dirt. Depending on the type of dirt, we recommend treatment with: Vlotho FETTABSORBER grease absorber, Vlotho SAUERFETT SF10 acid fat remover, Vlotho VELVETREINIGER Suede and Nubuck Cleaner, or Vlotho UFFELN degreasing cleaner (these products help prevent overdrying and subsequent damage, delamination, and cracking of the leather).
• Surfaces that have been previously treated with finishing agents should be treated with the Vlotho EXTER dye solvent-activator.
• Inserts made of other materials or colors should be securely covered with film or masking tape.
• Shake well before use.
• Apply the dye evenly to the entire surface using a spray, brush, or sponge. Multiple layers can be applied with short intervals of 10-15 minutes. Spray application (sprayer, airbrush) provides more uniform and quicker coverage. Brush application allows precise dyeing of hard-to-reach areas.

Sponge application is suitable for medium-sized surfaces if the entire area is being dyed and has no inserts of different colors. After the dye has fully dried visually, to improve durability and water-repellent effect, we recommend heating the item with a hot air gun, ensuring even heating over the entire item. Uneven heating may cause inconsistent water resistance and uneven moisture exposure later. Note — applying other products after heating may be difficult, as the item gains a penetrating layer that blocks moisture or products from penetrating and fixing on the surface.

• Allow to dry for 12 hours after finishing.

Additional Fixing Options After dyeing and drying (if the item was not heated), it is recommended to treat with water-repellent impregnation such as Vlotho LIPPE or Vlotho VELOURFIX Penetrating Dye Fixative.

Storage

• Store at temperatures from 5°C to 20°C
• Shelf life: 2 years