Leather + battery acid = :(

[digisane]

Hi guys, I apologize in advance as this is non-gear related but perhaps some of you could help me.

I have 2 leather document bags, which I usually put in the trunk of my car. One day, I had the car battery changed, and the mechanic put the old battery in the trunk. As you probably would've guessed by now, the improperly secured battery fell over without my knowledge and spilled the acid all over the internal of the trunk, destroying the carpet of the trunk and 1 of my bags beyond repair. The other one surived, but there was a acid watermark on it. As you can guess, I'm really fuming over the matter.

Anyway, just want to ask, is there any way to remove the mark on the leather bag or at least somehow make it less obvious? It looks a bit like watermark, the bag was resting on the carpet on its side, and the acid ate into te carpet first and just touched my bag. (the other bag was dipped in the acid badly).

I have no ideas what kind of leather it is, but it's a very light brown/tan color.

Suggestions very appreciated.

[Indiana Jeff]

Pecards seems to be the wonder product around these parts. At the top of the section is a break down of all the Pecards products. It may not take the watermark completely out, but should help recondition the leather and likely the mark will be less noticible.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

Depending on the color of your bag, I'd suggest using either the brown or black standard dressing. It will help re-color the lightened area and stabilize the leather where the acid landed.

Regards! Michaelson

[digisane]

Thanks all for the tips.

I was actually thinking of soaking / cleaning it in warm water before application of the Pecards, would this pose any risk?

[Kt Templar]

Water will dilute any left over acid and wash it away. You don't want it left on the leather as it will keep eating away. The leather will probably react in a similar way to what happens when we wash jackets, wrinkles, drying, some shrinking etc.

Make sure you allow it to air dry fully, naturally and slowly, then do the pecards thing.

I've managed to get battery acid on a jacket and on a pair of lamonts so I know your pain!

[Michaelson]

One of the reasons Pecards is referred to so much is it's pH balanced, and will help neutralize the effects of any acid, be it tannic or battery, on/in a leather jacket. That's what I meant by 'stablize the leather'.

Regards! Michaelson

[Bruce Wayne]

just so you know, i used to be a mechanic at us steel gary works. make a past out of arm & hammer baking soda & water & spread that on the bag, that should neturalize any remaining acid. i honestly dont think it can be saved because the battery acid has soaked into the leather.

p.s.: dont turn/brake so hard & this wont happen in the future. i do hope you new battery is a seald unit...

[digisane]

p.s.: dont turn/brake so hard & this wont happen in the future. i do hope you new battery is a seald unit...

I know.... . And that's just the tip of my problems. I have the whole car to worry about too!! the internals of the trunk carpet & paint are totally destroyed.

and thanks for the baking soda tips.

I have the bag in the water and so far it's seems fine, it's still a mark. still searching for the pecards.. Pics soon, for those of you curious to see the damage.

P.S. yes the new batt is sealed, but why didn't I go for the sealed units 5 years before!

[digisane]

Here it is. It came out of the water and is still damp when I took this so it's slightly darker than original. Plus it's not accurate due to camera color differences.







I don't suppose the most damaged bag could be saved (it's also the biggest and most useful ) and the other bag is still has the stain. I didn't apply the pecards yet, still on the lookout for it.


Thanks all for the tips & advice.

[binkmeisterRick]

The the bigger bag is still physically useable, I'd still use it. Just tell people it saved your life from an alien death ray.

[serrecuir]

Just tell people it saved your life from an alien death ray.

It's the acid blood splatter from killing a "zenylmorph" - sounds much cooler, no?

Sorry, I couldn't resist the "Aliens" reference.

Adding my two cents, I've read ammonia and lye are excellent bases to neutralize acids. I don't believe water would do anything to the acid. But I'm no expert on chemical reactions, so proceed with caution.

Kind regards,
Craig

[SonofJoker]

Man that is horrible about the battery acid, but even the one with the worst stain, I'd still clean it up as best as I could and use it.

[Mola Ram Wilson]

Here it is. It came out of the water and is still damp when I took this so it's slightly darker than original. Plus it's not accurate due to camera color differences.







I don't suppose the most damaged bag could be saved (it's also the biggest and most useful ) and the other bag is still has the stain. I didn't apply the pecards yet, still on the lookout for it.


Thanks all for the tips & advice.

Its not that bad your lucky

Wilson

[Imahomer]

Have you brought it to someone like a cobbler and asked for his opinion? That's free advice from a professional.

[191145]

'I'm really fuming over the matter'

Surely you intended that pun, you sly dog!

Heck, the top bag now has the 'been there done that' Indy look. The other one is just watermarked. If you can find a shoe repair or leather specialist in your area they can dye it a darker color which is about the only way I know to hide the water mark. Another product which nourishes the leather while neutralizing the acid is Ballistol in an emulsion with water, about 1:1. If you decide to dye it yourself, get Fiebing's leather dye. It is alcohol-based and penetrates/dries fast.