2007-05-18 08:25:46 · 11 answers · asked by ptsjr1 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If it is on a pigmented leather then the first thing you should try is an ink stick. The fresher the ink the more chance you have of removing it. It is a good idea to have one in your house if you have a pale leather and children!!!!
You should also be using a good quality leather protector on your suite. This will act like a 'scotchgard' and will make any more mishaps easier to clean off.
If an ink stick doesn't work a solvent based remover will need to be used and it may also remove finish and pigment so is best left to the experts.
Hairspray occassionally works but can also make the matter far worse as it can spread the ink over a bigger area (especially on an aniline style leather)
Nail varnish remover or any other solvents will remove the finish and pigment which will need replacing.
DO NOT USE Baby wipes as they are about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it.
Please do not try milk it is a silly idea that this will work and will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish
If the ink is on an aniline style, there is nothing that will remove it because the ink will have re-dyed the leather. It may dissipate over time with cleaning and protecting.
Old ink will be harder to remove than new ink and may mean resorting to solvents which will also remove the finish. This is probably best left to the experts.
Silicones are the worst thing to use on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break all the finish down and make it crack. Leather needs water and should not be protected against it.
Leather does not need conditioning it needs cleaning and protecting on a regular basis with water based products this will keep it rehydrated and supple. Oils will make things much worse.
Source(s):
www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultnts to the furniture and cleaning industries
2007-05-20 21:23:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to sound like a commercial, but I find ArmorAll to be the best product for cleaning automotive leather and making it shine like new.
It will, of course, depend on what kind of ink it is and how long it's been there. The sooner you can get it off/out the better.
Ball point pen ink is best removed with a light cooking oil or mineral oil, as that is the base most such inks use.
If you can't get rid of the spot, consider dyeing the whole thing a darker color to hide the spot. There are good leather dyes available at most craft stores. Once the dye has dried, be sure to give the leather a good scrub with a high quality saddle soap to fix the dye so it doesn't rub off on everything.
2007-05-18 08:37:40 · answer #2 · answered by John Silver 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sort of depends on the ink.
Water based ink can be removed to some extent but other inks, like a black felt marker - that stuff will still show up in fossils a zillion years from now.
The problem with leather is that the ink is absorbed into the space between the cells much like a tattoo. If you have a light colored leather its going to show.
Becareful when you try to thin out the ink to remove it because the thinned ink will bleed into the adjacent cellular area and you will get a bigger (although somewhat fainter) stain.
2007-05-18 08:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Work on removing the stain as soon as you discover it. Dried ink is especially difficult to get out, unless you act quickly.
Blot the stain with a soft dry cloth or cotton ball.
Moisten another cloth and clean lightly with circular movements. Dry the surface with a soft cloth.
Try a little saddle soap or another leather cleaner, but first read the label regarding its safety for use on your particular kind of leather. You may also try removing the stain with lukewarm water and shampoo.
Contact the manufacturer for a remedy for the type of ink used - the company may sell its own solvent.
Traditional wisdom recommends treating ink stains with milk or tomato. Cover the stain with a little milk or rub it with the cut side of a half a tomato. Take more care with the tomato remedy, as tomatoes contain some acidity. Rinse either treatment well.
Avoid any kind of cleaner or detergent, unless it's specified for the particular sofa or particular leather, as it could harm the leather.
2007-05-22 02:04:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actual have a automobile with leather-based and lightweight suede seats--as quickly as I have been given blue ink on them, I sprayed with hairspray (which dissolved/ re-moist the ink) and blotted with a textile. I stored repeating this till the ink advance into long previous--won't be able to even see it now. sturdy success!
2016-10-05 08:07:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rubbing alcohol
My son took an ink pen to a leather recliner at my parents house a couple years back. After spending $40 on different cleaners and having them not work, we tried rubbing alcohol on advice of an old guy at the hardware store. It worked like a charm and did not discolor the leather.
2007-05-18 08:28:12 · answer #6 · answered by blakereik 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When I had a jacket covered in ballpoint ink, I cleaned it with aftershave, and it worked a treat. Try it.
Hope this helps
2007-05-18 08:32:19 · answer #7 · answered by SKCave 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best way that I have found, rub lightly with rubbing alcohol then let dry and treat with leather conditioner.
2007-05-18 08:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by james 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
milk is often good first step for removal of ink
2007-05-18 08:32:10 · answer #9 · answered by sparkie_again 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
nail polish remover, works!
2007-05-18 08:33:50 · answer #10 · answered by Cara 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋