Ink removal from leather?
 

This isn't exactly a Luger leather question, but should be applicable to Luger holsters as well as many other items.

I have a friend who has a U.S. Army leather scope case (WWII/Korean War era) which is in nearly perfect condition -except- some previous owner wrote their name on the outside, rather large, with some kind of ink

I have no idea when this occurred, so I don't know whether it is an organic ink or marking pen. It does seem to have permeated into the leather surface pretty thoroughly.

So the question is: one, can it be successfully removed; and two, if so, can it be done without harming the leather?

--Dwight

I have removed ink and perm. marker from items, but it usually leaves a lighter shade where it was, plus usually all the marking doesn't come off. Have used a q-tip with a bit of that gunk remover, comes in a small can, supposed to remove almost anything, Walmart has it.

I would think, which is worse, leaving original leather color or "maybe" taking some color off. However, is it "etched" like in a pen or top leather? if top of the leather I think you'd have a better chance?

no expert on leathers Dwight, just slome idears.

Ed

Dwight, I have had success with carburator cleaner. It does not seem to harm leather as it evaporates immediately. Stinks for a day or so but it eventually goes away. Spray it out of the can onto the affected area and the stain "might" come right off. As I remember it does not affect the color of the leather. A little light coating of hide food in a day or two....I know it sounds drastic but I have had it work on some terrible stains...Let me know if you try it and if it works. Jerry Burney

Ed,

Didn't get to examine it closely, but it didn't look like the leather was 'embossed' as it would be with a ballpoint, for instance.

"...that gunk remover..." ??

--Dwight

Jerry,

Thanks much.

--Dwight

Dwight, Yeah! You know! That stuff in a can at Walmart. You should be able to find it on a shelf in one of the isles....:D