Best way to remove (pen?) mark from leather seats

dont_Mistak3 · 11-07-2019, 10:06 AM

Drove to work and didn't notice anything. Went to use the gym during lunch got in the car and noticed this mark on the seat. Looks like pen but I don't keep pens on me or in the car. Not sure what happened, anyone have any suggestions to safely clean this?

a.arscott · 11-07-2019, 01:57 PM

Picture?

cehrl7 · 11-07-2019, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dont_Mistak3

Drove to work and didn't notice anything. Went to use the gym during lunch got in the car and noticed this mark on the seat. Looks like pen but I don't keep pens on me or in the car. Not sure what happened, anyone have any suggestions to safely clean this?

You might try hairspray. It has been known to remove ink from leather. Maybe pre-test in out of site area to make sure it doesn't damage the leather.

domino_z · 11-07-2019, 07:42 PM

this is tough

ink/dye removers are very harsh, and you run the risk of going right through the pu top layer coating (think clear coat for paint) and removing the actual colour pigment as well

i would choose a reputable brand, i know leather masters make a dye remover, but play it safe, use a cotton ear bud on the pen mark only, try and keep working area as small as possible, and just take your time, neutralize excess product immediately with a leather cleaner, then start again - even do it over multiple days if you have to

X.X.I.V · 11-07-2019, 07:43 PM

Im going old school on this and say hairspray also. and then reapply your leather cleaner/conditioner....

icegrill · 11-07-2019, 07:53 PM

Carbona makes some leather safe ink removers

N1rve · 11-07-2019, 10:30 PM

You can try with the leather cleaner first and see if it helps.

domino_z · 11-07-2019, 11:27 PM

leather cleaner won't work unless it hasn't dried

you need solvents to remove ink

dont_Mistak3 · 11-08-2019, 07:02 AM

Don't know why the picture didn't upload the first time. Updated with before/after

Anyway here's how I cleaned it: I tried some detailing products including leather cleaner and didn't do anything so I put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swap and gently rubbed the marks off. Worked right away. Finished off with more leather cleaner and then applied leather conditioner. Looks like-new now thanks for the tips!

mitch32 · 11-22-2019, 10:47 AM

I had same issue with a Sharpie, I used IPA and diluted it. It didn't come off initially with a 1:5 ratio but when it was 1:1 it did, I stepped up the ratio til it came off. I don't think alcohol would ruin the leather but I was a bit nervous so I did do a test spot and had no issues.

Pharaoh2716 · 11-26-2019, 04:05 PM

I've worked wonders with a Mr. Clean magic eraser.

NSX2M4 · 12-01-2022, 03:46 PM

Just get a colourlock dye kit and go right over it. Best stuff on the market for scuffs, nicks, and denim stains.

11-07-2019, 10:06 AM	#1
dont_Mistak3 Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2018 AW/SO M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NJ, USA iTrader: (1)	Drove to work and didn't notice anything. Went to use the gym during lunch got in the car and noticed this mark on the seat. Looks like pen but I don't keep pens on me or in the car. Not sure what happened, anyone have any suggestions to safely clean this? Attached Images
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11-07-2019, 01:57 PM	#2
a.arscott Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Picture?
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11-07-2019, 07:42 PM	#4
domino_z Lieutenant Colonel 1232 Rep 1,969 Posts Drives: F-Pace SVR Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	this is tough ink/dye removers are very harsh, and you run the risk of going right through the pu top layer coating (think clear coat for paint) and removing the actual colour pigment as well i would choose a reputable brand, i know leather masters make a dye remover, but play it safe, use a cotton ear bud on the pen mark only, try and keep working area as small as possible, and just take your time, neutralize excess product immediately with a leather cleaner, then start again - even do it over multiple days if you have to
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11-07-2019, 07:43 PM	#5
X.X.I.V Lieutenant 77 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 16 F80 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Glenview, IL iTrader: (0)	Im going old school on this and say hairspray also. and then reapply your leather cleaner/conditioner....
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11-07-2019, 07:53 PM	#6
icegrill Lieutenant Colonel 2078 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Oregon iTrader: (3)	Carbona makes some leather safe ink removers
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11-07-2019, 10:30 PM	#7
N1rve Racecar Driver 1283 Rep 1,950 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Beverly Hills, California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 BMW M4 [9.63]	You can try with the leather cleaner first and see if it helps. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension
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11-07-2019, 11:27 PM	#8
domino_z Lieutenant Colonel 1232 Rep 1,969 Posts Drives: F-Pace SVR Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	leather cleaner won't work unless it hasn't dried you need solvents to remove ink
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11-08-2019, 07:02 AM	#9
dont_Mistak3 Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2018 AW/SO M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NJ, USA iTrader: (1)	Don't know why the picture didn't upload the first time. Updated with before/after Anyway here's how I cleaned it: I tried some detailing products including leather cleaner and didn't do anything so I put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swap and gently rubbed the marks off. Worked right away. Finished off with more leather cleaner and then applied leather conditioner. Looks like-new now thanks for the tips!
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11-22-2019, 10:47 AM	#10
mitch32 First Lieutenant 126 Rep 316 Posts Drives: F82 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Michigan iTrader: (3)	I had same issue with a Sharpie, I used IPA and diluted it. It didn't come off initially with a 1:5 ratio but when it was 1:1 it did, I stepped up the ratio til it came off. I don't think alcohol would ruin the leather but I was a bit nervous so I did do a test spot and had no issues.
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11-26-2019, 04:05 PM	#11
Pharaoh2716 Private First Class 91 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	I've worked wonders with a Mr. Clean magic eraser.
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12-01-2022, 03:46 PM	#12
NSX2M4 Major 1359 Rep 1,320 Posts Drives: 2019 M4 ZCP- RIVIAN R1S QUAD Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: FTL, FL iTrader: (1)	Just get a colourlock dye kit and go right over it. Best stuff on the market for scuffs, nicks, and denim stains. __________________ MGM Ext, SO int, Euro IKON, CS front lip, Carbon 1.5 diffuser, GTS/CS coding, M perf rear spoiler, & everything else STOCK. (Previous E39 and NA1 NSX owner) Those were the days!
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