Color Sample

Dark Brown Low VOC Leather Dye

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Angelus Dark Brown Low VOC Leather Dye is a low-VOC leather dye in a dark brown for restoring and recoloring shoes, boots, bags, and leather furniture. The formula is non-flammable and permanent, soaks into the leather, and ships worldwide.

It's also a favorite for staining wood, like guitar bodies, and for craft projects like gourds. Each bottle is 3 oz.

Why choose Low VOC dye

  • We made it to meet California's VOC regulations, so it's California compliant.
  • Lower VOCs mean fewer harsh fumes than solvent-based dye while you work.
  • It's non-flammable, so it ships worldwide, not just within the U.S.
  • The color is permanent, soaking into the leather fibers so it won't peel or crack.

Works on

  • Leather shoes, boots, bags, belts, and furniture
  • Bare wood, including guitar bodies and tops, for solid colors and burst finishes
  • Gourds and other craft projects
  • Bone and antler, like knife handles

How to use it

  1. Clean the leather and remove the factory finish with Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer so the dye can soak in.
  2. Apply the dye evenly with a wool dauber.
  3. Let the leather dry completely, then add another coat if you want it deeper.
  4. Seal it with Angelus Acrylic Finisher for added protection.

On wood, apply the dye to clean, bare wood with no existing finish, and test on a scrap piece first.

Pro-grade dye, made easy for first-timers

  • It's the same professional-grade leather dye fashion, footwear, and entertainment companies use to make their pieces, at everyday prices.
  • Dye soaks right in for a rich, even color. Start with one coat and add more until it's as deep as you want.
  • Try it first on the Angelus Leather Test Swatch or a hidden spot to see the color on your leather.
  • Free step-by-step tutorials on our YouTube channel and FAQs walk you through it. Not sure about a color? Check the Color Chart. Unused products can be returned within 30 days.

What customers say

“Dyed a leather knife case and bone handles on a pocket knife. Worked great.”

★★★★★ Chuck T.

Similar shades

Looking for a different shade? See Brown Low VOC, Medium Brown Low VOC, or Jet Black Low VOC, or shop every color in our Low VOC leather dye collection.

Common questions

Can I use Low VOC dye on wood?

Yes. It's named for leather, but it soaks into bare wood just as well, and guitar builders use it for solid colors and burst finishes on bodies and figured maple tops. Test on a scrap piece first, since the type of wood changes the final color, and see our wood dye collection for sanding and sealing supplies.

What's the difference between Low VOC and standard leather dye?

Low VOC dye is made to meet California's VOC regulations, has fewer harsh fumes, and is non-flammable, so it ships worldwide. Our standard Dark Brown Leather Dye comes in larger sizes, up to a quart, and ships within the U.S.

How do I make Dark Brown lighter?

Mix in Angelus Neutral Low VOC Leather Dye, which is clear and dilutes the color without changing the hue.

Will Dark Brown look the same on my leather?

The final shade depends on the leather underneath, so test a hidden spot first.

Dyeing leather is different from painting—it soaks into the material rather than sitting on top like paint. The final color depends on the base color of the leather, so a white surface dyed with red will turn pink, not true red. Angelus Leather Dyes are designed to enhance and transform brown leather rather than lighten it. Keep this in mind when selecting your dye color.

DYEING SMOOTH LEATHER WITH ANGELUS LEATHER DYE

1. Prep by wiping down leather with leather preparer using our applicators, cotton balls, or a rag.

2. Wait for leather to dry a few minutes. Wipe down with microfiber towel to remove all lint.

3. Using Wool Daubers (One is supplied with each dye) soak the dye on the dauber.

4. Be careful of what you are dyeing. If you are dyeing a large spot use the dauber fully soaked. If you are doing a smaller section a paint brush or much less dye on the dauber may be required. 

5. Make sure to soak the article you are dyeing. Dye works by soaking into the item you are dyeing. It does not act like paint. Feel free to soak and evenly rub across to make sure all is even. 

6. Leave to dry. You may see a tint, bronzing, or any different finish. Do not panic! This is just residual dye on the surface.

7. (Optional) Wipe with a microfiber towel to remove excess dye pigment. If there is still a sheen or tint use some alcohol on said microfiber and wipe down quickly. Do not let the alcohol sit on the item or else you risk lifting some of the dye and discoloring. Once done the tint should disappear and it will just be the color. 

8. If you wish to dye the item more of the color complete steps 5-7 again. 

9. If you are looking to protect and nourish the leather we suggest using Angelus Leather Balm or Neutral Angelus Shoe Polish. If you do not want the shine of the shoe polish just lightly buff versus a full buff to shine. If you dyed the article a black or brown we would suggest even buffing with a colored shoe polish or Lustre Cream. 

Permanent results
Vibrant colors
Deep penetration
Low VOC

Learn More

Low VOC Dyes are based on our tried and true Leather Dye formula, but they are formulated to be non-flammable, making it so we can ship them worldwide.

  • Low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Compliant with California's stringent chemical regulations
  • Non-flammable, enhancing user safety and making it easy to ship worldwide
  • Extended working time, allowing for greater flexibility and precision during use
  • Great absorption rate, ensuring a deep, even color and reduced waste

In short, they are the same great Leather Dyes that you are used to, but can ship anywhere, aren't flammable, and dry a bit slower due to the absence of alcohol. You won't be disappointed with them!

Dyes takes the color of what is under them. So if you dye something white with red it will turn pink. It mixes with it. Paint sits on the surface and grabs on. You can cover anything with paint. Our paint is water based while our dyes are alcohol based.

Yes, all Angelus Dyes are mixable! Angelus Leather Dyes can be mixed with other Angelus Leather Dyes, and the same for Angelus Suede Dyes. Mixing dyes to acheive specific colors is harder than mixing paints and does require testing. (Do not mix Suede Dyes and Leather Dyes together.)

Keep in mind that this is considered a professional product. You may need to perform many tests before applying it to your final piece. 

Why Choose Us

A vintage black-and-white photograph of Angelus Shoe Polish owners standing proudly in front of an early 20th-century 'Shoes Shined' storefront, representing the long-standing heritage of Angelus shoe care.

5th Generation Family Owned Since 1907

A smiling sneaker customizer in an Angelus workshop holding a pair of vibrant, hand-painted custom sneakers. In the background, a professional wall display features a full spectrum of Angelus Leather Paint bottles.

Trusted by artists and professionals worldwide

A detailed close-up of the 'Prep, Paint, Finish' process. A creator wearing black gloves uses a fine-detail brush to apply vibrant red Angelus Leather Paint to the textured leather panel of a grey and white sneaker.

Professional results made simple

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  • 5 stars: 7 (88%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (13%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
J
Jtrem
To Dye or to Paint

I usually don't write reviews. However, I feel the need to on this product to educate others. I have done leathercraft work for years and have used a lot of the Angelus Products with great success. This product is no different.The most important thing to know is what you are working with. One of the reviews stated they were trying to dye a silver shoe. No leather comes naturally Silver. So what you have is a shoe with a factory finish that is most likely a urethane or some other coating on the top. Dye is usually solvent-based and will cause that coating to degrade. Not only will you not get the dye to penetrate properly you have a good chance of ruining your item.Some shoes like Jordans or certain sneakers are better off using the Angelus Acrylic Leather paints. Raw leather, dress shoes, and other genuine leather items are fine to use dye on.Regardless if you choose to paint or dye the most important step is to prep. Whatever item I'm going to work on I use Angelus Leather Prep and Deglazer. Once its dried you have a clean canvas to work with.I then liberally apply the dye using the supplied dauber and let it soak in and penetrate the dye. This new low voc dye has more workability than their other dyes so it allows you a little more time to get the color depth you are looking for.For this belt, I am working on I did two coats of Dark Brown and I let it set for a few hours to dry to see the final color. I was more than happy with the results.Looking forward to trying the other colors.

J
Jeremy B. (Los Angeles, US)
Revamping a Poorly Distressed New Leather Jacket

I recently bought an "Indiana Jones" style distressed dark brown leather jacket that was poorly distressed and had random markings all over it that were practically white in places. I loved it enough to not want to return it and I decided to use dark brown dye to fill in the distressed areas to make more uniform looking again. I tested the dye out on a very old leather jacket that was falling apart first and then used it on the new leather jacket. The results were fantastic! Not 100 percent uniform with the rest of the dark brown, but more than close enough that I really love it! Thank you for saving the day, Angelus Direct! I will try your black dye out on an old black leather jacket next.

c
chuck t.
Pro quality

Dyed a leather knife case and bone handles on a pocket knife. Worked great.

m
mower f.
Easy to apply

I just hope this is more durable than other dyes I have tried

O
Olivia G.
Works great!

I wish I had taken before and after photos, but I’m very very happy with how my purse looks now.

T
Travis
Works good

It has a beautiful finish, doesn’t take long to dry holds color though water and rain. Doesn’t have a strong smell Works as it advertised. I recommend

F
Frank L.
Oder Issue

The smell is extremely strong and does not fade away.

T
Tee L.
Perfect for coloring multiple items

This worked great and the color was nice.