PeteyV

My cousins red ink pen was smashed under some books in the backseat of her C class. It left a red stain on the black leather. I was thinking about using a steamer on it or using rubbing alcohol. What do you guys think?

Glyn M Ruck

Alcohol is the first move to get the worst off, followed by detergeant, followed by recolouring if necessary

Peabody

Alcohol is NOT the first step. Use warm water and clear dish soap, and rub it gently with a soft cloth. Make sure to keep clean water on the cloth, and it might take a little time.. but just be patient and keep rubbing it gently. If that doesn't work, there's tons of leather cleaners out there that will work. Alcohol is not something you want to apply on leather because it penetrates, lifts out the nourishing oils, and evaporates them causing dry. brittle leather.

itcrashed

Hairspray works wonders on ball point pen ink.

Glyn M Ruck

Alcohol is recommended by Connolly for ink removal of all types. Leather nourishment is easily replaced with products like.



No need to saturate the leather with alcohol but detergeant will not remove "permanent" inks.

One should contemplate the tanning process. Leather is tough stuff.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - because of the propellant. I just don't like the goo that comes with it but in fairness the goo is water soluble.

The great thing about using alcohol to do this sort of cleaning is that it can be cut back with plain water.

Peabody

Where do you find that recommendation? I'd stick with these recommendations on detailing bliss: http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/...-dye-stain.htm

DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING:

Hairspray - This is very risky as it can make the matter far worse by spreading the ink over a bigger area and can sometimes then be impossible to fix.

Nail Varnish remover/solvents will remove the finish on the leather even if you cannot tell it is doing so and this will then need replacing, and alcohol may do the same depending on the strength of the finish on the leather.

Baby wipes – just about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it.

Milk or Toothpaste - these are just silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.

Silicones/furniture polish – should not be used on leather. They will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather itself and will eventually break all the finish down and cause it to crack.

Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils.

Most leather cleaners will not remove ink unless a very good leather protector has been used on a regular basis.

Magic sponges or erasers (Mr, Clean Magic Erasers). These have been tested by experts in the leather industry and have found to do a lot of damage to certain finish types on leather.

Aniline Style Leather
As aniline style leathers are largely absorbent it means that the ink will have soaked straight into the leather itself. This makes it impossible to remove. No product will successfully remove the ink.

DO NOT try ink removing products on aniline style leathers as most will leave a greasy residue which will then cause another problem.

Because aniline style leathers are absorbent the ink will carry on moving through the leather and may become less obvious over time. Cleaning and protecting will also help to dissipate over time.

I would not recommend trying LM Super Remover unless you have had experience with it as it does contain solvent which if used incorrectly will remove hte finish on the leather

Glyn M Ruck

Demonstrated to me at Connolly's in the UK with black felt marker & ballpoint pen (Biro in English speak) on biscuit leather that I have in my Jag.

If ink has soaked into the leather then nothing will remove it. If it's on the surface alcohol or alcohol water blend will take it off. Slight residue will then wash off with mild detergeant. Then feed or recolour if necessary.

Nail varnish remover is Acetone - Acetone and alcohol are not even vaguely similar solvents

Perfectly matched colouring available from Gliptone Leathercare Ltd UK

Please note that the OP is trying to get red ink off of black leather - much easier & easily recoloured if necessary.

Suggest testing inconspicuous spot obviously.