A little Advice...Tan leather with Blue ink!

[Mike Moore]

It appears my wife placed a bag on her passenger seat with an ink pen in it that leaked on the tan leather.

Sadly, she did this about a week ago and refrained from telling me until today.

What is your advice to remove the ink and hopefully not affect the tan leather dye?

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/merlinhd03/Detail/InkSeat.jpg

If you can notice there are two spots on the upper side panel that I tried to correct once before.
I was able to remove the ink but the "cleaning" left areas that may have removed the dye/coating.
Yes, this is the SECOND time she has done this. Maybe that's why she didn't speak up sooner. (SIGH)

You professional, experienced thoughts and suggestions would be helpful to correct this issue.

[ROMEO]

From google...

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Isopropyl alcohol, plain old rubbing alcohol, works best for home removal of ink stains from leather. Fresh ink stains are easier to remove and usually come out easily, while older stains may require repeat treatments. Leather is porous and the stain can penetrate deep into the hide.

Begin by dampening a white cotton cloth or cotton swab with the alcohol. Don’t use a colored cloth because it can transfer dye to light colored leather. Work from the outside of the stain toward the middle by dabbing with the cloth. Keep the work area small – do not spread the ink into a bigger area!

You should be able to see the ink transfer to the cloth. Dampen a clean area of the cloth or get a new swab as you see ink coming off to prevent re-staining the garment. Gently, keep blotting away until the ink is gone. Do not scrub harshly as that can remove color and a layer of the leather.

Allow the garment to air dry after or between treatments. Once the ink is removed, treat garment with leather conditioner to help it remain supple and smooth.

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[Roger Koh]

What is your advice to remove the ink and hopefully not affect the tan leather dye?



This is exactly what you want – a leather-safe ink removal system without any side-effect to the leather finish.

There is a very high probability that when coloring is needed to do some cover-up; the leather is never to be the same again; unless done accordingly to the original specification.

Since you are in South Florida, email me this expert that can perform this delicate service with perfection; otherwise he can tell you where you can purchase the DIY kit as well.


Tips:
The stain on the perforated panel has raised the degree of technical difficulties (as unsafe products seep into may manifest its side effect as stiffness);
I have not been approved by the owner of this forum yet, allowing me to discuss specific product usage and its technique, made available in others, hope you understand.


Roger Koh
info@leatherdoctor.com

[RLove]

Buy your wife some better pens too!

[Shane731]

Check this out:




I also pulled out the Leather Masters Ink Remover for a test. Since I didn’t have any ink stains I decided I would have to make some. I did 3 different tests. The first time around the ink was removed incredibly easy! The second time around I was videotaping but was interrupted. The 3rd time around I videotaped the whole thing. This time the ink didn’t come out quite as quickly but it was still very effective. I was a little handicapped trying to operate the camera at the same time. The previous night I had used some LM Protectant on one area of the seat. I scribbled some ink on that side. On the side that had not received the protectant I also scribbled some ink. The protected side did indeed release the ink a little easier. This stuff is a serious cleaner and even removed some of the pigment/dye. After cleaning with the ink remover you should go back over the area with the LMSC to remove any trace of the ink remover residue. The ink remover doesn’t seem to have any scent but it’s very strong and you would be wise to keep it off your skin and keep the area ventilated. After cleaning the ink stained area I found something very interesting. The cardboard hard leather was softer in that area then with any product I’ve used on it in the past.

26-INK BEFORE

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/500/medium/26-INK_BEFORE.JPG



27-AFTER INK REMOVER

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/500/medium/27-AFTER_INK_REMOVER.JPG



28-REMOVED SOME PIGMENT

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/500/medium/28-SOME_PIGMENT_REMOVED.JPG



29-INK BEFORE

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/500/medium/29-INK_BEFORE.JPG



30-AFTER INK REMOVER

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/500/medium/30-AFTER_INK_REMOVER.JPG




Video: Ink Away Ink Remover


- Leather Masters Ink Remover.AVI ("http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21TX857MXeU)