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#500 · #510 · #520 · Leather & Suede Dye

Angelus Leather & Suede Dye

Angelus Leather Dye and Suede Dye soak into the leather instead of sitting on top like paint, so the color keeps leather’s natural feel. There are three lines: #500 Leather Dye in 39 colors, #510 Low VOC Leather Dye in 20 colors, sold in California and shipped worldwide, and #520 Suede Dye & Dressing in 25 colors for suede and nubuck.

Where to buy Which dye do I need?
  • 84 colorsAcross three dye lines
  • 3 oz.–QuartThree sizes
  • Soaks inKeeps leather’s natural feel
Applying Angelus Jet Black Leather Dye with a dauber Angelus Leather Dye bottle Angelus Suede Dye bottle

Which Angelus dye do I need?

Pick by material and where you are. All three soak in, mix within their own line and work best going darker.

What can I dye? See the material guide
  • Angelus Leather Dye bottle
    #500

    Leather Dye

    The standard Angelus leather dye for recoloring and restoring sneakers, boots, dress shoes and other smooth leather goods.

    • 39 colors, including clear Neutral
    • 3 oz., Pint and Quart
    • Ships within the U.S.; not sold in California
    See the 39 colors
  • Angelus Low VOC Leather Dye bottle
    #510

    Low VOC Leather Dye

    Made to meet California’s VOC rules, with fewer harsh fumes. Non-flammable, so it ships worldwide.

    • 20 colors, including Neutral
    • 3 oz.
    • Sold in California and ships worldwide
    See the 20 colors
  • Angelus Suede Dye bottle
    #520

    Suede Dye & Dressing

    For restoring faded suede and nubuck sneakers, boots and loafers, or changing their color.

    • 25 colors, including Neutral
    • 3 oz., Pint and Quart
    • For suede and nubuck
    See the 25 colors

#500 Leather Dye colors

39 colors in 3 oz., Pint and Quart. Not sold in California; use #510 Low VOC there.

Showing 39 of 39 colors

Swatches are dyed on natural veg tan leather. Dye mixes with the color already in your leather, so red dye on white leather turns pink, for example. Test on a hidden spot first.

#510 Low VOC Leather Dye colors

20 colors in 3 oz. Non-flammable, sold in California and ships worldwide.

Showing 20 of 20 colors

Swatches are dyed on natural veg tan leather. Dye mixes with the color already in your leather, so red dye on white leather turns pink, for example. Test on a hidden spot first.

#520 Suede Dye & Dressing colors

25 colors in 3 oz., Pint and Quart, for suede and nubuck.

Showing 25 of 25 colors

Your result shifts with the color of your suede: red dye on white suede turns pink, for example. Test on a hidden spot first.

How to dye leather

These steps are for #500 and #510 on smooth leather.

  1. Deglaze

    Clean the leather and remove the factory finish with Leather Preparer & Deglazer so the dye can soak in.

  2. Test

    Try the color on a hidden spot or a leather test swatch first.

  3. Apply evenly

    Apply the dye evenly with a wool dauber.

  4. Dry, then add coats

    Let the leather dry completely, then add another coat for a deeper color.

  5. Seal

    Seal it with Acrylic Finisher for added protection.

Tools for a clean dye job

The tools our directions call for.

Dyeing at the bench

Test first, apply evenly with a dauber, and build the color in coats.

  • Applying Jet Black Low VOC Leather Dye to a shoe with a dauber
    Applying Jet Black with a wool dauber
  • Recoloring a leather shoe with Angelus Low VOC Leather Dye
    Recoloring a pair of dress shoes
  • Angelus Low VOC Leather Dye with dyed leather test strips
    Testing colors on leather strips first
  • A bottle of Angelus Low VOC Leather Dye in hand
    #510 Low VOC Leather Dye

What customers say about Angelus dye

  • ★★★★★

    “This dye works very well on clean and stripped leather. Two coats took some tan leather to a solid black. Worked like a charm!”

    Cameron F., Edwardsville, Illinoison Jet Black Leather Dye, 2025
  • ★★★★★

    “This dye makes restoring a vintage bags easy. It's a pleasure to work with and provides a great coverage.”

    Anita M., Las Vegas, Nevadaon Jet Black Leather Dye, 2026
  • ★★★★★

    “I used this dye for my suede rollerskates and one bottle was the perfect coverage for both! It comes with an applicator as well which was nice.”

    Sofia A., Seattle, Washingtonon Black Suede Dye, 2026

Reviews from customers on AngelusDirect.com, the official Angelus store, where Angelus averages 4.8 stars across more than 45,000 reviews.

Dyeing suede and nubuck

  • Test first

    The final color depends on the suede underneath. Red dye on white suede turns pink, not true red.

  • Go darker

    Dye works best going darker. Black covers most suede colors well.

  • Brush the nap

    Brush the nap up before and after dyeing, and apply the dye evenly with a wool dauber.

    Nubuck & Suede Kit

Dye or paint?

Both recolor leather. The difference is where the color sits.

  • Dye

    Soaks in

    Dye soaks into the leather and keeps its natural feel. It works best going darker, and the result mixes with the leather’s starting color.

    • Recoloring and restoring
    • Suede and nubuck (#520)
    • Keeping a natural leather look
  • Paint

    Sits on top

    Acrylic Leather Paint sits on top of the surface, so it can cover any color, light over dark included.

    • 155 colors
    • Waterproof and flexible once dry
    • Custom designs and color changes
    See Acrylic Leather Paint

Pairs with

Safety & data

Leather dye questions

What’s the difference between leather dye and leather paint?

Dye soaks into the leather and keeps its natural feel. Paint sits on top of the surface and can cover any color. Use dye to restore or deepen a color, and paint to change it completely or add designs.

Do I need to deglaze before dyeing?

Yes. The factory finish blocks dye from soaking in, so strip it first with Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer.

What’s the difference between #500 and #510 Low VOC Leather Dye?

#510 Low VOC uses the same pigment as #500. It’s made to meet California’s VOC rules, has fewer harsh fumes and is non-flammable, so it ships worldwide. #500 comes in larger sizes, up to a quart, and ships within the U.S. but isn’t sold in California.

Why doesn’t my dyed leather match the swatch?

Dye mixes with the color already in your leather or suede, so the result shifts with its starting color: red dye on white leather turns pink. Our swatches are dyed on natural veg tan leather. Test on a hidden spot or a leather test swatch first.

How do I make a dye color lighter?

Mix in Neutral dye from the same line. It’s clear, so it dilutes the color without changing the hue. Angelus dyes also mix with other colors in the same line for custom shades.

Can I dye suede a lighter color?

Dye works best going darker. Black covers most suede colors well, but a light color won’t cover a darker suede. Test on a hidden spot first.

Can Low VOC Leather Dye be used on wood?

Yes. #510 soaks into bare wood with no existing finish, and guitar builders use it on bodies and tops. It also works on gourds, bone and antler. Test on a scrap piece first. See the material guide for every surface.