Getting pen ink off a wested

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

Moderator: Dalexs

Post Reply
User avatar
Dre
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 373
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:02 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Getting pen ink off a wested

Post by Dre »

After coming home from uni today i noticed there was a small (but noticeable - to me) pen mark on the jacket. I dabbed a bit of water and rubbed it a bit and it has had no effect. Is there any way to safely remove the ink without damaging the jacket? it's not extremely noticeable, but I know it's there and it's driving me crazy =P
User avatar
Swindiana
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3204
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:05 am
Location: West of Scandinavia Jones, making meed for Holt
Contact:

Post by Swindiana »

Try soured milk. And I'm not kidding! :)
(Not old milk but the kind that is similar to yoghurt.)

It takes ink stains out without damage and might be worth a shot before bringing out the heavy chemical artillery. Let it soak until desolved, rub, and rinse WELL afterwards. ;)

Regards,
Swindiana
User avatar
Dre
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 373
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:02 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Dre »

soured milk hey? And that doesnt hurt the leather at all? Would I have to do it within a certain amount of time before the ink possibly stains forever or can it be done at any time?

I'd have to work up a bit of courage to try that sorta stuff hehe. Thanks for the tip though - might try it in a few days.
User avatar
Swindiana
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3204
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:05 am
Location: West of Scandinavia Jones, making meed for Holt
Contact:

Post by Swindiana »

I haven't tried it myself but hearing from those who have tried says that it'll work pretty well. The fresher the stain the easier to get it out.
I'm sure there are "real" products for it too, but this is from the top of my head. The milk is organic and will not hurt the leather.

Regards,
Swindiana
whipwarrior

Post by whipwarrior »

Yeah, that one's from the Doctor's Book of Home Remedies. LOL!
User avatar
binkmeisterRick
Stealer of Wallets
Posts: 16926
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:22 pm
Location: Chattering with these old bones

Post by binkmeisterRick »

There are all kinds of wonderful home remedies out there. I've heard of the milk test, too. In fact, I'd try that before using any chemicals. Afraid of what it might do to your jacket, though? Well, if it's cowhide, I don't think a little milk's gonna hurt it, you know? :wink:

(A cow is enjoying her lunch when all of a sudden she accidentally squirts some milk on herself) AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!! IT BURNS!!!!! IT BURNS!!!!! :lol:
IndianaJames
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 765
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2002 11:14 pm
Location: Bay Area

Post by IndianaJames »

Sandpaper....it will also distress the jacket a bit!
User avatar
VP
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3812
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:14 am
Location: Espoo, Finland
Contact:

Post by VP »

The pen is mightier than the sword.
User avatar
Dre
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 373
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:02 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Dre »

i'm not sure how. I was at uni and i notice this little pen mark on the top. I might have accidently dropped my pen or brushed my pen against it when putting my pen away or something. It's quite a small mark and only noticeable in some light - and even then it's not that bad.

I think i'll leave it. Maybe it'll just 'soak' away after a while =P if not, it's not that bad at all.
hanson
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:22 pm
Location: somewhere in tennessee

getting pen ink off a wested

Post by hanson »

red ball point pen ink can be liquefied with rubbing alcohol, use liberal amounts of H20 and paper towels to dab the ink off. Acetone will liquefy black ball point pen ink or just about anything else. Use carefully. regards, hanson.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Post by Michaelson »

Emphasis on 'carefully'! :shock: Acetone also removes dye, and if rubbed to hard, you're also take the color right out of the leather.

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
belle
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:37 pm

Post by belle »

I have the exact problem, when I got my jacket home from Wested I noticed a pen streek on it. I tried the milk thing but it didn't work. I posted something about this earlier but no luck. I called a few dry cleaners but they all said they may damage the jacket getting it off. If anyone know's a good product to use that won't damage the jacket I'd love to hear it.

Belle
Farnham54
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 798
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2003 10:48 pm
Location: Looking for clever places to re-hide Jess's TomTom

Post by Farnham54 »

Well, it would seem to me that leather is simply skin of an animal.

Ergo, try the same thing you would if you got pen on your hand--a bit of soap and water. Should do the trick.

Cheers
Craig
Farnham54
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 798
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2003 10:48 pm
Location: Looking for clever places to re-hide Jess's TomTom

Post by Farnham54 »

:D Sorry, Tone, I had a moment of sanity...must have been some blood in my alcohol stream :P

Cheers
Craig
User avatar
rick5150
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1258
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 7:09 am
Location: NH
Contact:

Post by rick5150 »

Swindiana wrote:Try soured milk. And I'm not kidding! :)
I can already predict the next post:

"How Do I Get The Soured Milk Smell Out Of My Wested?" :lol:
Post Reply