How to Remove Paint From a Leather Jacket

However, not all hope is lost and you may still be able to save your leather jacket. However, if the paint remains on your leather jacket, consider hiring a professional leather cleaner to restore your jacket.

Dishwashing Liquid

1. Wipe wet paint off the jacket with a damp cloth or paper towel. Scrape dried paint off the leather jacket gently with the back of a butter knife.

2. Fill a small bucket with 2 cups of warm water. Add 1/4 cup mild dishwashing liquid and mix with a whisk until a sudsy foam forms.

3. Use a sponge to scoop up only the suds. Gently rub the paint with the suds and sponge in a circular motion. Rinse the sponge clean with cool running water when it becomes soiled. Continue rubbing only the suds into the leather jacket until you have removed the paint.

4. Wipe the leather jacket clean with a damp cloth and let air-dry. Add one to two drops of leather cleaner and conditioner to a lint-free cloth. Buff the leather jacket with the damp cloth as you normally would.

Rubbing Alcohol

1. Fill a small bowl with 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol. Saturate a cotton ball in the rubbing alcohol. Alternatively, saturate a cotton ball with a water-displacing spray, such as WD-40.

2. Rub the paint with the saturated cotton ball in a circular motion. Use a new cotton ball dampened with rubbing alcohol when the old one becomes soiled. Continue rubbing the leather jacket gently until you have removed the paint.

3. Dampen a lint-free cloth with cool water and wipe the rubbing alcohol off the jacket. Add one to two drops of leather cleaner and conditioner to a clean, lint-free cloth and buff the jacket as you normally would.

Tip

Test the paint removal method on an inconspicuous area of the leather jacket. If damage or discoloration occurs, discontinue use.