Cleaning of MKVII bag....

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

Moderator: Dalexs

Post Reply
astroboy
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:09 am
Location: Melbourne
Contact:

Cleaning of MKVII bag....

Post by astroboy »

I got my MKV II (1936) and it has what appears to be an ink stain on the inside of the flap ...How can I get rid of this stain?? :roll:
User avatar
riothamus
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 299
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:22 pm
Location: Winchester, VA

Post by riothamus »

Bump.

Any ideas, I have the same problem.
User avatar
Castor Dioscuri
Expeditionary Hero
Expeditionary Hero
Posts: 2179
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:52 am

Post by Castor Dioscuri »

How about that Tide stain remover? ;)
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 »

IF it doesn't show up when you have your bag closed I'd leave it the way it is. Old ink is really hard to get rid of, though some people have had their stamps accidentaly removed when washing the bag, all depending on the ink. I'd try washing it, though I know there is a chance of ruining the bag if you bring out the chemicals.

Does it look like a stamp, or is it just an ink blob?

Regards,
Swindiana
User avatar
Indiana
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 990
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2002 2:12 pm
Location: The University of Chicago

Post by Indiana »

I threw one in the wash that had a very faint stamp. It faded it even more, to the point where I can barely see it. It is an H&Sons 1942 bag. The bag still holds up fine, the washing did not affect the durability. It's been all over the world with me.
User avatar
riothamus
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 299
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:22 pm
Location: Winchester, VA

Post by riothamus »

Well, in my case it isn't the MKVII, it's an inked name on the backpack Indiana Bond found and sent to me. Here's the thread, possible spoiler though...
viewtopic.php?t=24851
User avatar
TheMechanic
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 597
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 4:56 pm
Location: In a skillet with potatoes & onions

Post by TheMechanic »

Denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) will dissolve the ink. If you want to try it, I would fold up a paper towl several times until it's about 2.5 X 2.5" and saturate it with the denatured alcohol.

Blot the area until it's all 'wet' then blot with pressure using a clean dry paper towel. The alcohol will evaporate quickly and you'll be able to see how much it's faded. You can then opt to stop or keep going until it's almost gone.

After that I would treat the area with Dawn dishwashing detergent and let it sit overnight and then wash the whole bag in warm water and hang dry.

Odds are the ink stain will be barely there when you're finished.

-Jared
User avatar
riothamus
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 299
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:22 pm
Location: Winchester, VA

Post by riothamus »

Thanks a lot! I'll give that a try this weekend!
Post Reply