If your military boots are already jet black, there’s little hope for it to undergo a color change.

Dare to dream, though, and one day your boots shall shift colors as often as those Emerald City horses in Wizard of Oz. That’s certainly another extreme.

Let’s try a more plausible scenario: How about turning leather desert tan, brown or sage green boots to a nice shiny black. Or experiment with a rainbow of colors, keeping in mind that the lighter the boot, the lighter the dye will appear.

Materials
- Deglazer
- Boot dye
- Sponge brush
- Top Coat
- Mink Oil

1. Before slapping on some dye, make sure, at the very least, you clean the boot’s surface. For best results, we suggest using a deglazer like Fienbing’s Deglazer with a damp cloth or sponge to really take off all the dirt, wax and other protectors that likely accumulated through the years. Once you get it fully stripped, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

When it comes to dying leather, there are plenty of color choices.

2. When you get ready to apply the boot dye, be certain that you’ve mixed it well. You can do this by shaking the bottle for about 30 seconds. There are many tools you can use to paint on the dye, whether it’s a cloth, brush, wool pad, spray or spray gun, though we hear a sponge brush works best.

3. Apply using a figure-eight or swirly pattern, and allow it to completely dry between coats. You should apply at least three coats.

4. Once the third coat dries completely, apply the top coat, which can give it a matte, satin or gloss look. You can also use mink oil to seal and waterproof your military boots.