Ink on a ballglove is a big turn-off for most collectors. It seems to detract from the overall appearance of the glove. Some methods for removing the ink are to
• Block it out with more ink creating a rectangle
• Remove with an eraser
• Remove with 320 grit sandpaper
• Remove with a dose or 12 of Fast Orange with pumice
• Allow time to take its toll.
Most of these rely on abrasion to do the removal and few result in a quality look to the glove. Once abraded the leather no longer looks smooth. There are leather fabric cleaning products that are advertised to remove ink, or at least match the color. Most of these are sold for leather furniture or car seats and I have seen some remarkable results on television but have never tried them on a glove. Now on Ebay is an example of a leather fabric cleaning product used on ink on a glove.
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... TQ:US:1123)
It is difficult to tell exactly how good this looks in person and close up but it is not too bad in this photo. Remember that pictures of gloves taken with a flash tend to lighten the look of the leather. That is, the actual color of the glove is usually darker than the photograph.
I asked the seller what product he used and this was his reply…… “I used 'Tulip' brand matte fabric paint from Michael's Crafts, in Golden Tan.”
Now I am not suggesting that we all run out and douse our inked up A2001s and MMPs (or should I be saying D&M Ruth's ?) with a fabric paint just yet. But it does seem to warrant some further investigation. Has anyone else tried this method? What are your comments?