Ink on leather

clm65

clm65

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I bought my wife a new car last week. It has nice camel (tan) leather. It took all of 6 days for one of my kids to add a 2" line of blue ink on one of the seats. What is the best cleaner to use that will not damage the leather?
 
I removed ink from leather effortlessly with McKees 37 APC diluted 4:1. It was so easy it wasn't any fun (if that makes sense). It came off in seconds. I then applied leather protectant to the seats. Not sure how long the ink was there - was not my car.

ScottH
 
And when you've removed it invest in some decent car seat covers :props:
 
ScottH said:
I removed ink from leather effortlessly with McKees 37 APC diluted 4:1. It was so easy it wasn't any fun (if that makes sense). It came off in seconds. I then applied leather protectant to the seats. Not sure how long the ink was there - was not my car.

ScottH
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I'd be perfectly happy if it comes off so easily that it isn't fun. Are you referring to the McKees 37 MPC? I don't see an APC. Bonus that it is on sale. I'll have to give that a try.
 
custmsprty said:
And when you've removed it invest in some decent car seat covers :props:
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Seat covers over the leather seats? Is that normal? I'd rather get rid of the kids (just kidding!!!!).
 
Belair said:
Leather Masters makes an ink remover.
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I saw that. But only 1 review, and it is 1 star. I rely a lot on the reviews the products get on this site/forum. I don't have a lot of confidence in that product, but to be honest I didn't search much for any other reviews on it. I'll do a quick look.
 
clm65 said:
Seat covers over the leather seats? Is that normal? I'd rather get rid of the kids (just kidding!!!!).
Click to expand...

Haha! Or put a ban on ink, food, drinks. My car is for transportation. Can't have dirty-making stuff in it.
Except the dog. He's got a seat cover.


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The LM Ink Remover and MK37 APC showed up yesterday, so I went to work on the seat last night. First I tried the Ink Remover. It says it works best on ink that is 2-5 days old. My ink was 4 days old, so it was "in the window". Didn't put a dent in it. Next I gave the APC a shot. I mixed it at about 3 parts water to 1 part APC. Again, no luck. Lastly I found some OPT Power Clean in my cabinet and sprayed it on full strength. Same results. I think I may try the MK37 APC full strength next, but I'm not sure it will give any better results than the full strength Power Clean. Any other suggestions? My wife is telling me to try hairspray or rubbing alcohol, but I'm afraid those may do more damage than good. And the ink is on the side panel of the seat, so I imagine that is actually vinyl instead of leather, if that matters.
 
This is going to be an odd suggestion but try using some liquid carnauba wax. Put a little bit on and then buff it off, for some reason liquid carnauba takes off a lot of different stuff from both paint and applicable interior.
 
Have you tried using a steamer? Leather is porous (it used to be skin) and maybe the steamer will help "open" it up and allow you to get the cleaner a bit deeper. Also, chatted with a friend about this very thing a while back and he explained that the leather seats a much like paint in that they have a clear coat on top. If the ink seeps in and gets below that clear coat you may only be able to dull the ink and not remove it completely because it will be in the actual fibers of the leather.
That's probably not much of a help, I'm hoping you find something that works!!
 
Craig very surprised the McKees APC didn't do it. As AutoZeek suggested, apply some heat in the form of steam and also try a toothbrush with the APC with no dilution.

ScottH
 
Well, I tried again with full strength APC, and I think it worked a little. Then I tried the Ink Remover again, and then APC again. Between the combination I got it about 90% removed. I dont have a steamer, but maybe I can wet a rag with the APC and heat it in the microwave? Hopefully that can get the last of it. If not, I guess I can try the hand sanitizer.
 
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