6 months of blue jean dye stain in my 2012 Dodge Ram – how to remove the stain without damaging the leather?

Roger,
I will try to get some pics for you. What I tried first was a product from Griot's Garage, which cleaned the surface well and took most of the stain out. But it appears the blue jean stain is embedded in the leather. I'm not sure which kind of leather this is in my 2012 Dodge Ram but I am assuming it is the coated and protected type I've read about and am unsure if your product will remove the stain without damaging the leather. Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I have read all of those. I'm just concerned that it wont come out because it's been on there about 6 months and I have scrubbed it with another product. A lot of money to try out!

Thanks, Jim.

#1
Attachment 1660


#2
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In a blue jeans dye transfer situation, the stains are rubbed onto the surface grains while the lower grooves remains unaffected. A reverse transferring technique in reference to the red mark out pictures is executed in this manner.

1. Cut the paper towel from Kit Ap7.di fitting the size of this isolated stain areas.
2. Apply Prep-7.7 and saturate the paper towel before apply onto the isolated stain areas.
3. Squeeze out any air space so that the Prep-7.7 saturated paper towel becomes an extension of the leather surface.
4. Leave it overnight to see how the stains have response by peeling a corner to see the result.
5. Repeat a fresh application when necessary to further suspense the stain for a reverse transfer to the paper towel.
Note: A food cling wrapper helps prevents the dislodging of the application.

Lets see the result before the actual application.

Note that there are stitching rows, seams and perforated holes. Apply Prep-7.7 to the paper towel first then onto the leather surface avoids pushing unnecessary products into these weak points.

Picture of the test area – this test will give you a time frame, how long the stains will be removed better prepare for doing the entire dye stains affected areas in one go.

Attachment 1725


Examples of how a “reverse transfer” technique works.

#1 Stains
Attachment 1726

#2 Dwell-Time Performing
Attachment 1727

#3 Stain "reverse transfer".
Attachment 1728

Product information:

Attachment 1729
Leather Doctor® Kit Ap7.di, auto pigmented (perforated) leather dye and ink remover kit is an innovative concept of removing blue jeans dye and ink stains featuring a “reverse transfer” technique utilizing a paper towel over the dwelling Prep-7.7. Prep-7.7. It works by penetrating, lubricating and suspending the stains on dwell time and the paper towel reverse absorb the stain instantaneously from the leather. Prior failed attempt with set-in stains may require the help of Bleach-9.9 as booster to the Prep-7.7 to remove the residual stains. Clean sticky residue with Cleaner-3.8, rinsed with Rinse-3.0 and pH balanced with Acidifier-2.0 when Bleach-9.9 is cooperated. Hydrator-3.3 relaxes stiff leathers prior to fat and oil replenishing. Fatliquor-5.0 rejuvenates the leather structure with softness and suppleness when dry. MicroTop-54M is an option for renewing the finish from friction wear. Protector-B+ imparts a non-stick rub-resistant protection with a buttery feel that shield against sticky soiling and reduce friction noises. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this holistic leather-safe dye and ink stain removal system.

Instruction:

Testing with Prep-7.7
1. Cut out a piece of paper towel from the kit not bigger than our thumb size and soak it with Prep-7.7.
2. Test it on the worst stain area and inspect every 24 hours with fresh application until the stain is gone.
3. Observe if there is sign of stain removal, if it does, the stain will eventually be remove with repeat application.
4. To secure the test patch from dislodging wrapped it over with see through cling wrap.
5. When stain is removed with satisfaction, clean off the sticky residue with Cleaner-3.8 follows with Rinse-3.0 until a
squeaky-feel.
6. The lack of a healthy squeaky feel may be the result of worn out topcoat, reapplication with MicroTop-54M is
recommended.
7. Apply a soak out paper towel with Acidifier-2.0 over the area until dry to strengthen the finish prior to topcoat application.
8. When test after 72 hours shows poor response, Bleach-9.9 may be used to boost the Prep-7.7.

Mixing Ratio (1: 2: 2)
1. A mixing ratio guide by weight is 1 part Bleach-9.9: 2 parts Prep-7.7: 2 parts Hot water.
2. From the mixing bottle, a small test portion Bleach-9.9 is first added into the bottle follow with Prep-7.7 adding and stirring
into a paste.
3. Hot water is dripped into the bottle using the pipette to activate the bleach and stirring into a creamy paste.

Testing with Bleach-9.9
1. Apply onto an inconspicuous or hidden area and leave it for a 12 hours inspection for discoloration.
2. Remove residue with damp wiping and cleaning sticky residue with Cleaner-3.8 follows with Rinse-3.0.
3. Cut out a paper towel, soak with Acidifier-2.0 and place on the test spot until naturally dry to neutralize the alkalinity.

Note
If testing with Bleach-9.9 bleach shows side effect, abandon and continue only with Prep-7.7.

Actual Application
Repeat testing successes to the actual application.


Kit Content and Product Description:

Leather Doctor® Prep-7.7 (60ml)
This is a waterbased pH-7.7 high viscosity leather cleaner developed to remove dye and ink stains on all pigmented leathers. It works by dwell-time allowing its superior penetrating, lubricating and suspending power to do its work. It is design to work in co-operation with Bleach-9.9 to synergize its working power. Sticky residue is to be clean with Cleaner-3.8, rinsed with Rinse-3.0 and neutralized with Acidifier-2.0 when Bleach-9.9 is in co-operated.

Leather Doctor® Bleach-9.9 (30ml)
This product is only use on pigmented leather finish types. This powder becomes pH 9.9 when works as a booster for Prep-7.7 in a weight ratio mix with hot water at a ratio of 1: 2: 2 (Bleach-9.9: Prep-7.7: Hot water). Non-metal tools are used to prepare the mixture. Sticky residue is to be clean with Cleaner-3.8, rinsed with Rinse-3.0 and neutralized with Acidifier-2.0.

Leather Doctor® Cleaner-3.8 (250ml)
This is a leather-safe pH 3.8 cleaner for removing Prep-7.7 sticky residue.

Leather Doctor® Rinse-3.0 (250ml)
This is a leather-safe pH 3.0 rinse to neutralize alkalinity and remove all traces of cleaning residue to a healthy squeaky-feel.

Leather Doctor® Acidifier-2.0 (250ml)
This is a waterbased pH 2.0 leather acidifier ten times stronger than Rinse-3.0 developed to rinse and neutralize Bleach-9.9 in this leather-safe system. The effect of neutralizing is to reduce tackiness or sliminess from alkalinity and returning the leather to a healthy squeaky-feel. The objective is to return the leather to its pH neutral of 3 – 5 for the leather-structure chemistry integrity sake.

Leather Doctor® Hydrator-3.3 (250ml)
This is a waterbased pH 3.3 leather-safe hydrator with active surfactantcy for lowering the interfacial tension. It is for hydrating dried, stiffed or shrunk leathers to separates the crushed, stick together fibrils and relaxes them. It is for charging the leather protein fibers below its iso-electric point positive for long lasting hydrogen bond with the ionic negative charged Fatliquor-5.0. It is for facilitating colloidal water movement within the leather structure during the wicking process to move soiling particulates to the surface.

Leather Doctor® Fatliquor-5.0 (250ml)
This is a pH 5.0 anionic charged micro emulsion fatliquor to rejuvenate leather with softness, suppleness and strength.
It is for replenishing original fat and oil that diminishes thru sun-bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline exposure or cleaning.
It penetrates and lubricates the leather fibers so that after drying they will be capable of sliding over one another smoothly.
It softens the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility, while enhancing its rip tensile strength greatly. It relaxes coarse breaks, creases and wrinkles enhance suppleness and prevent cracking. It helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing.

Leather Doctor® MicroTop-54M (60ml)
This is a matte finishes waterbased soft polyurethane leather topcoat. It is lightfast and non-yellowing. It has excellent flow and leveling properties. It is recoatable and forms a flexible film coat. It gives good performing results from friction wear.

Leather Doctor® Protector-B+ (120ml)
This is a leather scented, non-film forming, non-stick, rub-resistant protector that impart a natural buttery-feel. Its non-stick breathable barrier is essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion. It reduces friction squeaks that wear the finishes when one slides in and out of auto seats.


Leather Brush-1 (1pc)
This horsehair detailing brush is designed ergonomically to be an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip. It is designed to produce effective result easily and efficiently. It is recommended for all smooth leather for a soft and scratch-free cleaning. Its length is 7 inches with a three-row bristle 1½ inches cleaning head.

Paper Towel (5 pcs)
This rag works like cloth, lint free, highly absorbent and washable. General application is for extracting suspended soiling or for spreading hydrator, fatliquor or protector. It is used for both dye and topcoat padding for smooth leathers.

3 inch Poly-Brush (2 pcs)
This is a dense foam that resists tearing and shredding and carries more material. It has a solid wood handle that allows greater control for quality results. It is used for controlling and spreading fatliquor for a more even distribution.

2000-grit wet and dry Sandpaper (1 pc)
This sandpaper is selected specially for its ability to smoothen rough finish. Sanding is aim at the finish for better anchorage during refinishing. It is for smoothen finishes in between coating when necessary.

Mixing Bottle (1pc)
This bottle is for mixing Bleach-9.9: Prep-7.7: Hot water in weight ratio of 1: 2: 2. The mixed products become a whitish cream.

Pipette (1 pc)
This 2ml plastic pipette is for dripping hot water to activate the Bleach-9.9 in the mixing bottle

Stir Stick (1 pc)
This wooden stir stick is for the mixing bottle.

>>>Last night I applied the Prep-7.7 on the side of the seat. I covered it with the white cloth from the kit and covered the cloth with cling wrap as instructed. I left it applied over night, about 12 hours. When I took it off this morning there was no blue dye transfer on the cloth but when I wiped the stain with the cloth some of the stain showed on the cloth so it is coming off but not transferring as expected. I didn't have time to take pics this morning before work.
Please advise.

You may have not done it properly. The paper towel has to be press down and the Prep-7.7 has to show through, otherwise the suspended dye stain would not be able to wick through the paper towel. Please show pictures, if you are doing it correctly.


>>>I did not use a single layer so maybe that is the problem. I did this on the side of the seat like you showed so how do I keep it pressed down besides using the cling wrap? I can't stand there all night holding it.

If you apply enough Prep-7.7 and it does squeeze through the paper towel. The paper towel will stick there even on vertical panel.
Cling wrapping is place as a precaution. Please show pictures.


>>>Ok Roger, I'll do that tonite, I'm at work now. I will take a pic to show how I applied the 7.7. I will leave it applied over nite as before. If I can I will get a pic in the morning also of the results.

Jim, Waiting for your pictures - if done correctly the stains will be out soon. It is OK to squeeze through of the spot. but on areas that have needle hole, seams and perforated holes you want to apply the Prep-7.7 to saturate the paper towel before you lay them to stick on the stain surface. Do not push the Prep-7.7 into these holes, saving you time and effort to remove them. Roger


#1
Attachment 1755

#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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Tips:

Picture #5 shows a blotchy inefficient transfer of the blue jean dye is a direct result of loose contact between the paper towel and the leather surface as seen from Picture #1 and #2 application.

Pictures #3 and #4 show streaks of non-contact.

In comparison the above Post 2, Picture #2 example, the paper towel is soaks or saturates through and the paper is in direct contact with the leather surface without air space.

Picture #1 example below shows how the paper towel is further work with the help of leather Brush-1 for a close contact without air space that becomes an extension of the leather surface.
Attachment 1760


Picture #2 example shows the even “reverse transfer” efficiently - notice how tight the paper is in contact with the leather surface (as compare with the above Picture #1 & #2
Attachment 1761

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com