COLOURLOCK Ballpoint Pen Remover, 9.5 ml

Ballpoint pen and other pen marks often occur on leather. On the most common single-colour, surface-coloured, satin-matt smooth leathers, Ballpoint Pen Remover helps to remove them.

Please read the notes below carefully before every application!

IDENTIFYING THE LEATHER TYPE

Correctly identifying the leather type is important when removing ballpoint pen marks, marks from other pens, ink stains and other stains. An incorrect cleaning method can quickly make the damage worse. We distinguish between the following leather types when cleaning stains and marks:

Pigmented smooth leather: Pigmented smooth leathers are leathers with a colour layer on the surface. A rubbed-in drop of water does not penetrate the leather but beads up. Pigmented smooth leathers are generally satin-matt and have a grained surface.

Aniline leather: Aniline leathers are open-pore smooth leathers. A rubbed-in drop of water is absorbed and darkens the dampened area.

Suede leather: Suede leathers have a velour-like surface. Nubuck leather has a very fine nap. Velour leather has a coarser nap, like the reverse side of a leather hide.

PU leather: PU leather, also called Bycast leather, is split suede to which a polyurethane coating has been applied so that it looks like smooth leather. PU leather can be recognised by its sheen and plastic-like feel.

BALLPOINT PEN MARKS

Ballpoint pen marks on pigmented smooth leather:

Ballpoint pen marks on furniture and vehicle leather or artificial leather are relatively common. Unfortunately, however, they are not always easy to remove.

Please note the following:

• The fresher a ballpoint pen mark is when treated, the easier it is to remove. Ballpoint pen marks that are three days old or older can only be removed without colour matching with luck.
• Entire drawings by children are considerably more difficult to remove than short marks.
• Cleaning attempts with unsuitable products often make the damage worse.

Procedure:

1. To be safe, always carry out a test in an inconspicuous area first. Ideally, even make a mark in the concealed area and clean it a little more firmly, then clean cautiously in the visible area if the test area could be cleaned without problems.
2. Some ballpoint pens release a lot of ink. To avoid spreading the ink over a larger area, first stick masking tape over the mark and pull it off again. Repeat the procedure for as long as discolouration remains visible on the masking tape. This removes excess ink as gently as possible.
3. Then clean the mark with the Ballpoint Pen Remover. First press the pen tip into the pen two or three times until it is saturated with cleaning fluid. If the tip is dripping wet, wipe off the excess with a cloth.
4. Then remove the ballpoint pen mark with little pressure, using slightly circular movements in a small radius. The mark is first briefly softened by moistening it with the cleaning agent.
5. Always remove dissolved ink immediately with a cloth to avoid larger stains and to maintain a clear view. If necessary, also wipe the pen tip with the cloth to remove dissolved ink. The tip can also be pulled out and reinserted into the pen the other way round.
6. Repeat the procedure if necessary and increase the pressure slightly.
7. Older marks can hardly be removed without also dissolving some of the leather colour. In such cases, the areas must be colour-matched again with Leather Fresh in a suitable colour. However, pre-cleaning is always necessary to prevent the ballpoint pen ink from bleeding through after colour refreshing.
8. After cleaning, protect cleaned areas again with Leather Shield.

Ballpoint pen marks on aniline leather:

Aniline leather is very sensitive due to its open pores, and ballpoint pen marks usually cannot be removed without the help of an expert. The risk of making the damage worse is very high. As with pigmented smooth leather, first carry out a test in an inconspicuous area, and using masking tape is also correct. However, no more can be done. On this type of leather, Ballpoint Pen Remover would only make the damage worse, and Leather Fresh is only an option for absolutely single-colour leather. In such cases, send us an email with an overall and a detailed photograph of the leather problem (info@lederzentrum.ch). We will then check whether help is possible without replacing the leather.

Ballpoint pen marks on suede leather:

Suede leather is sanded leather. Always test first in an inconspicuous area and use masking tape. Residual stains on a coarse nap can then be treated with the Sanding Pad or the Nubuck Eraser Block, and on a fine nap with the Nubuck Sponge. Always test all applications in an inconspicuous area first and do not sand locally in one place for too long in order to avoid a halo around the mark. It is better to give up in good time and possibly leave a faded mark.

Ballpoint pen marks on PU leather:

PU leather is usually dark, so marks are not as problematic. With PU leather, there is a risk that cleaning will damage the applied film. This film is very sensitive and cannot be repaired easily. Therefore, tests in an inconspicuous area are very important, and cleaning must never be carried out with greater pressure. It is better to leave residual stains. As this type of leather is very often multi-coloured, it cannot simply be colour-matched with Leather Fresh either.

MARKS FROM FIBRE-TIP PENS, “EDDING” OR OTHER PERMANENT MARKERS AND INK STAINS

Marks on pigmented smooth leather:

The procedure is the same as for ballpoint pen marks, although permanent markers are more difficult to remove and penetrate the material more quickly. For simple fibre-tip pen marks, Ballpoint Pen Remover is the correct recommendation. For smudged marks, use our GLD-Solvent for colour transfer from clothing. Residual stains must be colour-matched with Leather Fresh. After cleaning, protect the treated area again with Leather Sealant.

Marks on aniline leather:

Aniline leather is very sensitive due to its open pores, and “drawings” usually cannot be removed without the help of an expert. The dyes sink into the leather and cannot be “cleaned” out. The risk of making the damage worse is very high. In such cases, send us an email with an overall and a detailed photograph of the leather problem (info@lederzentrum.ch). We will then check whether help is possible without replacing the leather.

Marks on suede leather:

As with aniline leather, the dye sinks into the fibre. Depending on the coarseness of the nap, it may be possible to try to reduce the marks on a coarse nap with the Sanding Pad or eraser and on a fine nap with the Nubuck Sponge, but particularly with pronounced marks the chances are very poor. In such cases, it is better to seek expert advice from us.

Marks on PU leather:

As the coating is a closed film, some marks can still be removed as with pigmented smooth leather. However, always test in an inconspicuous area to see whether the film is damaged!

INK STAINS

Ink stains on pigmented smooth leather can, with luck, be removed like marks from pens. GLD-Solvent is the first choice here, as for colour transfer from clothing. Note the corresponding instructions. Ink that has already penetrated the leather often cannot be “cleaned” out. On smooth leather, the ink will then also migrate back to the surface through Leather Fresh. In such cases, it is better to seek expert advice. There are almost no options for suede leather. Even the frequent ink stains caused by leaking pens in leather clothing usually cannot be saved. Attempts to clean them yourself are futile. We often cannot help in such cases either.

• Always test the product first in an inconspicuous area for changes.
• Protect from frost and heat (+40 °C).
• If you are unsure, do not hesitate to contact us.