Rest_assured

Hi all,
Wondering if anybody has a safe and (hopefully) easy method of removing white overspray from this Brooks Saddle. I used to work as a car detailer, and to remove overspray from cars we used a 'claybar'. Anybody done that with a leather saddle?
Photos:



Any help would be much appreciated.

oddjob2

There is a water based goof off that i've used on clothes

https://www.amazon.com/Goof-Off-Safe-.../dp/B00502M8RG

kflagg 

I think the clay would work fine.

Rest_assured

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the clay tomorrow (maybe my cheapest option) and report back.

katsrevenge

Very fine sandpaper can take off surface paint.

I have no idea if this is OK for a saddle's leather but.. I've used acetone to take paint off smooth leather like that. It takes a VERY light touch and if you've never done anything like that before practice on a hidden surface/scrap. It will take off the color too if you aren't easy with the treatment.

It's a last resort kind of thing. Meaning if it's that or scrap it... Generally the sandpaper does the trick.

(I restore old purses for fun and sometimes profit. Profit is rare...I get attached.)

Maxturbo

Is it a latex (water) or oil base paint?

I don't think that a clay bar will work, except maybe knock off some paint NOT in the divots of the grain.

I'd start with a leather cleaner / conditioner and see if it releases the paint adhesion first.

Phil_gretz

...might be to take the saddle to a local cobbler or shoe repair shop, one that has been in business for a couple of generations. My local shop (now operated by the son of the original proprietor) is a place that I trust with leather goods.

Make certain that you know in advance how you'll proceed to treat the saddle once the paint has been removed. Tell the shoemaker what product you'll be using and how, and then tell him that you do not want him to soften or treat the leather, but simply to remove the overspray from the surface safely. He'll have the full range of appropriate solvents and will know how to apply them.

My thoughts. For some things, a home remedy isn't always the best course, depending on what you're risking...

rootboy 

I wouldn't hesitate to go after that with mineral spirits, and if that didn't work, lacquer thinner. And then saddle soap it, followed by Proofide.

SuperLJ

+1

I actually did this once with perfect results. Just dampen a rag with mineral spirits and use a light touch. Don't soak the leather or anything.

rhm

^^+1.

It's hard to predict what solvent is going to take that stuff off, but no harm in trying a few, as long as you keep to the surface. Naphtha is pretty mild but might work.

RaleighBikeGuy

Looks to be an original ~1970s saddle? If it is useable and doesn't crack or disintegrate you lucked out and got a good one! Why not count your blessings and ride it as is? It doesn't look bad.

Reynolds 

^ Maybe if you ride it enough the paint will wear off...

rootboy 

I know something that would definitely take it off, but hesitate to use the stuff. Still, I have a gallon of it. MEK. Nasty stuff. But very effective.

due ruote 

+ another. I'd employ an old toothbrush or maybe even a soft brass parts brush.

himespau 

When I was in high school my boss handed me a jug of that and a rag and told me to clean the floor of the hanger (worked at a used airplane dealerhip as a plane detailer). I didn't know any better, so I did. I wonder how many brain cells I killed in my teenage years with all the solvents I used at that place.

rootboy 

You can't even get it at HD or the hardware store anymore, I've noticed. I got some at the paint store, but had to ask for it. Kept in the back room.

obrentharris 

I can tell you from personal experience that this works. I have a B-17 that had several paint spots on it, the largest one about the size of a dime; Now, after a few hundred miles of riding, the paint is all gone.
It might take longer to get off the bits of paint on the areas that don't get much wear like the very end of the nose and tail.

I think Maxturbo's suggestion is also a good one and definitely worth trying. My very limited experience with leather care leads me to believe that saddle soap is pretty good stuff. Follow the saddle soap with some Proofide or other leather conditioner. It seems like leather that is "fat" with some sort of dressing resists staining and might even release the paint.
Brent

16Victor

Beat me to it.

Otherwise I'd avoid aromatic solvents and try scotchbrite - gently.

rootboy 

That might do it. Oft times over-spray isn't attached all that well. Might just brush off with a light touch of Scotchbrite pad.

Rest_assured

Thanks for he suggestions. I will further investigate and report back. It is good to hear that if all else fails I can probably just ride it til it comes off. To be sure it is a pretty saddle, and I would hate to ruin it.
Hope you're all getting onto your Christmas bikes soon!

repechage

MEK would really pull out any oil in the leather, and as it is "wetter" than water, penetrate too deep.

I would think this way, neatsfoot oil compound, give it a little bit of time, hours not weeks. My idea would be the porosity of the leather would allow the oil to migrate under the paint that would loosen the grip of the overspray, might just also emulsify any dirt / glaze on the leather and allow a removal with an oil soaked light duty Scotchbright pad. The dry it off and profide it.
Test on a small area?

Peugeotlover

You could remove splattered paint by scrapping it real easy-like with a sharp blade.

Rest_assured

Turps didn't work, bit nervous about trying something heavier. It is a nice saddle, would hate to ruin it.
I'm going to try the "ride the paint off" method.
Cheers

markk900

Had some overspray on an Avocet saddle (much smoother leather than the Brooks)....the only success I had was with scraping - chemicals did not work. Very careful work with a razor, scotchbrite, and plastic scraper eventually did the trick.

McFlurrey06

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser??