Best way to remove ink from leather strap?

[PennyroyalWe]

I’ve got a pretty nice leather strap, that I bought on sale back in the mid/late oughts, that has a god awful tribal design on it. I really like the strap, but the cultural appropriation faux pas is just so dang cringy. I’m wondering if there’s a way to remove it? My first thought is acetone or mineral spirits...but it’s leather and presumably that would ruin the leather. Any ideas?

 

[Vinny_G]

I would avoid any form of solvent, so acetone doesn't seem like a good idea. Some household remedies suggests things like lukewarm milk, hair spray on a cloth, or white stone cleaning paste. Personally, I would try first with water and soap, then alcohol or lighter fluid if that is not enough. Try first in a non visible spot.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I would avoid any form of solvent, so acetone doesn't seem like a good idea. Some household remedies suggests things like lukewarm milk, hair spray on a cloth, or white stone cleaning paste. Personally, I would try first with water and soap, then alcohol or lighter fluid if that is not enough. Try first in a non visible spot.

Sadly, there isn’t a non visible part that has the ink I’d like to remove :/
I suppose another option is to try to dye the whole strap an different color all together and cover up the design that’s there.

 

[Vinny_G]

Why not, it's worth a try if you know how to do it.

 

[Big Boz]

Let's see the strap.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Let's see the strap.

Well, yesterday I ended up getting antsy and googling a bunch of ways to cover up this nonsense, and I ended up just spray painting the sucker. The underside is completely untouched, and I’m planning to go along the edges with some mineral spirits to remove the pain from any surface that will be in contact with my neck or shirt.

 

[Jim C]

Just as a "oh by the way" they make aerosol paint for automotive carpets and vinyl seats.
Not sure if it would work on leather.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Just as a "oh by the way" they make aerosol paint for automotive carpets and vinyl seats.
Not sure if it would work on leather.

Yeah, I’ve heard that’s what you want to use for painting tolex, if you wanted to pain an amp or can, and probably the best choice for all leatherish surfaces...but I didn’t have it on hand, and this seems to have worked for now. Who knows how long it’ll hold up.