Leather Tips of the Day

One of the most commonly asked questions I get asked is about ink. How do I get ink out of leather?
Believe it our not this is not a simple question. Here are the basics:
1) What type of leather is the ink in. This will determine what method of cleaning you or a professional should use. To figure out you leather type visit our web site www.leathertechs.com.
2) The proper technique for the right leather.
If it is a protected or pigmented leather and the ink is fresh you will have the most success by using a tube of ChapStick. ChapStick has a level of petroleum that will emulsify the ink and lift most if it out of the leather. You must go back and use our Pure leather cleaner afterward to remove any resedue of the petroleum when you are done but the results are better than doing nothing.
Technique: Lightly rub the ChapStick over the effected area in a circular motion, using a dry rag to continually remove the build up and excess. Only use our cleaner when you are done. Then follow up with the Pure leather conditioner to moistureize and protect the hide.
If it is an aniline or unprotected leather Do Not Use any form of ChapStick. The petroleum will darken the leather, it will not remove any ink, and will only worsen the damage. Only use our Pure leather cleaner and most of the remaining ink should dissipate over time into the leather. Keep in mind this may take many months to years but it will slowly fade.

These techniques are geared to improve the damage from the ink but over many years of repairing leather without fail I have to re-dye the damaged area to completely remove the eye sore of ink. I always recommend getting a referral from a friend or store you trust in your area and make sure the tech sounds like he knows what he/she is talking about.

Hopefully this helps. If you have further questions call or email us. We are here to help.