[Allan Simmons]

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.

[jasonl]

Ltt at Harrogate do a good ink remover in the form of a lipstick type stick , less than a fiver ( plus your CD fine ) , they go dried up and sticky before they wear out after about 2 years would work well on that kind of fabric .

[Allan Simmons]

Thanks Jason, I'll give them a call.

Any other suggestions still welcome just in case

Al.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Apart from solvex from prochem you could try peroxide I would however send your best tech to do it though.

Shaun

[Allan Simmons]

Thanks Shaun.

[Mark Slaney]

  Isopropyl alcohol

   Mark

[Kev Loomes]

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

[jasonl]

A solvent will remove it without doubt in a liquid form it could easily cause delamination or the flocking to detach surely?

[Doug Holloway]

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

[PaulKing]

champion form craftex, and reasonably safe, well safe ish.

Honestly works a treat just test it first

[Nigel_W]

  Isopropyl alcohol

   Mark

+ 1 with a cotton bud and a quick rinse

Nigel

[peter maybury]

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

[Allan Simmons]

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.

[Jim_77]

I'd have thought Amyl Acetate should do it, works on most kinds of ink

[Allan Simmons]

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.

[Kev Loomes]

No problem Al, just glad to help mate.

Cheers

Kev

[K.O. Glanville]

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.

[Jim_77]

It's imitation suede like micro fibre....maybe not a term used in your neck of the woods!

[DayV]

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.   

[Ricky M]

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 

peace love and ashes