Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Allan Simmons on March 03, 2012, 07:34:15 am

Title: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 03, 2012, 07:34:15 am
Morning guys,

We cleaned a really filthy 'buffalo' fabric suite yesterday and although we've done an excellent job of the cleaning as we cleaned it there were quite a few ballpoint pen scuffs 'come to light'.  The suite was so filthy you couldn't see them before we cleaned.  The client is delighted with the clean and is not too concerned about the few pan marks but is there anything anyone can recommend to get these out.  The spotters we have for ink solvent based stains will damage the 'buffalo' fabric.  We've also tried our ink remover for leather (I know it's not real leather) and that's not shifted it either.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Allan.
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: jasonl on March 03, 2012, 08:19:47 am
Ltt at Harrogate do a good ink remover in the form of a lipstick type stick , less than a fiver ( plus your CD fine ;D) , they go dried up and sticky before they wear out after about 2 years would work well on that kind of fabric .
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 03, 2012, 08:47:45 am
Thanks Jason, I'll give them a call.

Any other suggestions still welcome just in case

Al.
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 03, 2012, 09:29:06 am
Apart from solvex from prochem you could try peroxide I would however send your best tech to do it though.

Shaun
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 03, 2012, 09:30:56 am
Thanks Shaun.
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Mark Slaney on March 03, 2012, 09:36:23 am


  Isopropyl alcohol

   Mark
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Kev Loomes on March 03, 2012, 10:41:05 am
I would suggest the same as Shaun. If the biro hasnt moved from a good wet clean, then it could indicate a solven content - so would try a solvent on it. The peroxide would be an alternative after - I would do a very small 'bit' with a cotton bud, and immediately dry off with a hair dryer. If its as good as gone then carry on.

Thats if your returning to do it for her. If its a tip for her own attempts then I would simply tell her that its permanant, as she isnt that bothered by the sounds of it. This way you wont get a potential call back saying 'you told me...!'

Good luck

Kev
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: jasonl on March 03, 2012, 01:32:19 pm
A solvent will remove it without doubt in a liquid form it could easily cause delamination or the flocking to detach surely?
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Doug Holloway on March 03, 2012, 02:33:59 pm
Hi Guys

If as Kev says you put the solvent on a cotton bud and apply to the ink, then extract immediately it is possible to remove ink without casuing delamination.

cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: PaulKing on March 03, 2012, 03:09:20 pm
champion form craftex, and reasonably safe, well safe ish.

Honestly works a treat just test it first
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Nigel_W on March 03, 2012, 05:30:02 pm


  Isopropyl alcohol

   Mark

+ 1 with a cotton bud and a quick rinse

Nigel
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: peter maybury on March 03, 2012, 06:25:31 pm
isopropanol is what printers use to thin and dilute inks it is what is best on most inks.
It also evaporates extemely quickly so is safe to use on the majority of delicate fabrics.
It is some thing that is useful to have on the van also one of the few things that is effective on pollen staining.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 03, 2012, 10:28:09 pm
Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

A solvent would usually delaminate the flock of the buffalo but we'll try the 'on a cotton bud AND hairdryer trick, that's a great idea Kevin, thanks.  I'll pop in and have a look myself and explain to the client the option.  We have a good solvent spotter but had not thought about the hairdryer trick.  I'll let her decide, or as you say Kev, I might be picking the monkey up if it 'goes wrong.

Al.

Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Jim_77 on March 03, 2012, 10:56:02 pm
I'd have thought Amyl Acetate should do it, works on most kinds of ink :)
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 10, 2012, 10:53:45 pm
Thanks Kev,

our solvent on a cotton bud got the ink out, and your hairdryer trick prevented the flocked fabric delaminating.  Most of it out and client extra happy now.

Toolbox training with guys on Tuesday, topic "Hairdryer trick."

Thanks again,

Al.
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Kev Loomes on March 10, 2012, 11:12:33 pm
No problem Al, just glad to help mate.

Cheers

Kev
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: K.O. Glanville on March 11, 2012, 03:15:35 am
I'm lost here, what is Buffalo fabric??

Are you talking about a type of leather, or an imitation suede like micro fibre??

A natural product or man made ??

I have found Spot  & Boost from Vac-A-Way to be brilliant for ink removal, not only is it an encapsulation product, but it can also  be flushed with water.

Try that with a solvent.  ;)

Shorty.
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Jim_77 on March 11, 2012, 02:16:54 pm
It's imitation suede like micro fibre....maybe not a term used in your neck of the woods!
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: DayV on March 11, 2012, 11:54:50 pm
Hi guys,I have one of these suites and would highly recommend them.The manufacturer supplied an after care leaflet,that recommends the use of isopropanol for treating ink stains.These materials are a dream to clean by either wet extraction or vlm systems.
                                       Hope this helps,         
                                                           David broom.   
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Ricky M on March 12, 2012, 12:34:00 am
chuck a splash of petrol on it then a match ....when the flames die down ask the client if they are still bothered about the original offending mark  8)

peace love and ashes
Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: K.O. Glanville on March 12, 2012, 02:21:18 am
Thanks Jim, yep, we have them down under.

Macro-suede, micro-suede, faux-suede, and a dozen other names depending on the manufacturer.

We have several Oz manufacturers, plus a host of these fabrics coming in from China.

As i said above, S & B from vac-A-Way or Isopropyl Acohol.

Shorty.

PS:: I love cleaning these fabrics.

Title: Re: Advice needed please, Ballpoint pen on 'Buffalo' fabric
Post by: Allan Simmons on March 12, 2012, 09:43:59 am
chuck a splash of petrol on it then a match ....when the flames die down ask the client if they are still bothered about the original offending mark  8)

peace love and ashes

Yeah, I'm not a fan of this type of flocked fabric.

Thanks for the advice on other spotters too guys.

Al.