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TGR
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Yea very likely... as above the key is getting off anything that is sealing and waterproofing the leather, as it stops the leather darkening.
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Everything pdlouche said. But if you want just a bit darker then I would try darker coloured creams, etc. before dying.
I only suggested dylon to chez_jay because it sounded like he wanted to take a light shoe a lot darker.
Dye will almost definitely be immediately irreversible. Coloured creams/waxes will allow you to go slower and possibly back a step.
pdlouche
hugo7
Saddle soap first, not sure I’d want to use methylated spirit, much prefer isopropyl alcohol if you can get away with it. You want to strip the wax off but not kill the leather underneath. No matter what you use, get the leathercare cream ready because any spirit you use will dry the leather and lead to premature/irreversible creasing and cracking of the leather.
Trick is to scrub off all the shitty coatings on top. That means using a rough brush meant for brushing mud off a shoe. It takes some time but you’ll see the difference if you let it dry between serious scrubs.
I had a lot of success turning light tan Loakes chocolate-oxblood using only saddle soap and alcohol then the two waxes and no dye. When they scuff/scratch the light underneath comes through a little but it buffs out fine. Similarly lots of isopropyl alcohol followed by wax polish on the Cheaney’s gave a nice subtle sunburst.
The Dylon dyes will be ideal and give a deep penetrating and incredibly dark finish, but you must try to remove as much of the coatings as possible, and leave them to dry out to avoid inconsistent finish. Apply in thin layers, avoid spotting unless you are drenching them black or something.