I got a great deal on a vintage Freeland cuff sling for 4P rifle shooting. It has the former owner's name in ink, which is why it was such a sweet deal.

What's the best way to fade/extract the ink without ruining the leather? It is a much higher quality than the current production slings. I do understand that this is a lot like writing on one self with a ball point pen or sharpie. It's skin. I don't expect perfection, but heavily faded would be OK with me.

The best way, although it probably will not do as good ajob as you would wish, is to use Oxalic Acid. This is used as a leatheer cleaner and bleach and comes in crystal form. It is used by leather workers to clean their projects after the other work is done. You can obtain it from Tandy Leather stores o r on-line from Tandy's.

In the clothing business when there was ink on clothes we would use hair spray that contained lacquer and blot(don't rub) it with a paper towel.
Never tried straight lacquer.
A lot of work and patience required.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

We actually have oxalic acid! We use it to de-iron quartz crystals we collect. We let them soak for several months sometimes. I'll mix some up and work with Q tips.

Did they neutralize when done? I'll try a baking soda/water paste and let it sit for a while.

Tandy makes an eraser that works pretty well. I make my patterns and use an ink pen to draw the outlines. I can erase the black ink with no problems.

The only eraser they list is for removing adhesive residue. There is a Tandy Leather fairly close to me, on the way to Costco. Next time I go I'll see if they have one.

They make two. One for removing your rubber cement and another for ink. I have both.

Sounds like it would be easier to change your name to the one on the cuff.

… or just dye the whole thing black!

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"I also cook."

Personally, I would would leave it alone, especially if you knew the former owner.
Are you a 3-4 position shooter?

Randy

I have had some training, and took the nra rifle marksmanship qualification program and did pretty well. I need a second hip replacement before I start shooting 3/4 P again.

My sportsmens' club has a thriving juniors program that usually comes in the top 3 nationally in rimfire. About 5 years ago, 2 4 person teams placed in the top 3.

No matter how good I get, I know I am shooting against someone who placed nationally when I am on the firing line at my club. Keeps me humble. More than half are female too, in our juniors program. West Seattle Totems Junior program. One of the juniors ended up captaining the USNA rifle team when he was there. And another shot free pistol at the Olympics.

i used GOJO handcleaner..... but if you have access to isopropyl alcohol, the alcohol reactivates the ink,. Problem: you need to have paper towels at the ready to "sop up" the mess. I would try alcohol first then try the handcleaner( as the handcleaner contains lanolin).

That's what I was thinking, I'd just dye it black.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Do an internet search for “Ink Away Stick”.