Can You Dye a Leather Jacket a Different Color? (Step-by-Step)

The Law of Transparency

Leather dye is not paint. It is transparent ink.
Rule 1: You can only dye Darker. (Tan -> Brown -> Black).
Rule 2: You cannot dye Lighter (Black -> Tan is impossible without painting it with acrylics, which looks like plastic).

The "Dye It Black" Guide

Turning a brown jacket black is a rite of passage.
Supplies: Fiebing's Leather Dye (Black), Acetone, Rag, Finisher, Gloves.
Step 1: Strip It. Scrub the jacket with Acetone to remove the factory sealant. If you don't do this, the dye will bead up and roll off.
Step 2: The First Coat. Apply dye in circles. It will look streaky and purple/green. Don't panic.
Step 3: The Second Coat. Apply 24 hours later. Now it will look deep black.
Step 4: The Seal. Apply a Finisher (Matte or Gloss). Without this, the black dye will ruin your white shirts forever.

The Stitching Issue

Jacket stitching is usually synthetic (Polyester/Nylon). Synthetic thread does NOT absorb leather dye.
Result: If you dye a brown jacket black, you will have a black jacket with brown stitching. This "Contrast Stitch" look can be cool, but you need to expect it.