How to take shoe polish off hardware on purse

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seven****

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Hi!

I have this darling white evening purse by After Five that was polished and the polish remains on some of the hardware. What would be the best way to remove this?

Thanks

Deborah
 
Well, with Q-tips in hand, I first I tried eco friendly grease remover and, unfortunately, that did not work. Next, I tried less friendly Fantastic grease remover and that too did not work. Then I brought out heavy duty nail polish remover and ever so carefully with a small drop at a time went over the hardware and that worked! I have a feeling whoever polished the purse did so with liquid polish. Perhaps liquid polish has different properties than regular shoe polish and that may be the reason why grease removers did not work. I cannot get to certain spots (too afraid to get too close to the leather), but the purse looks much better.

A while back, I tried to repair a pair of 70s Anne Klein red heels where the leather was lifting slightly on one of the straps and, thinking I was quite clever I used - don't wince Jonathan - crazy glue. Well, the glue bled and the once pristene pair now has a discolouration on one shoe. Lesson learned - ask the experts first!

Thanks!!!


Here's a pic of the cleaned purse:

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/LastRoll-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>
 
Oh, I like that. I am thinking 60s. Does the top lift up and shut for closure?

It looks great btw. I have resorted to nail polish remover myself.
 
Thanks, Linda. I'm glad you mentioned 60s, cause I was leaning towards late 50s - wrong again! The clasp does lift up to open. It's lined in black peau de soie and has an attached change purse. I think the leather is embossed as opposed to real snake skin.


Deborah
 
Ditto..nail polish remover is my choice for quite a few removable projects from non fabric items, it works like a charm on permanent marker!
 
I would have shied away from the nail polish remover in case it also removed the brass finish or lacquer of the clasp but if it worked, then great! My rule of thumb is to always start with the least abrasive or caustic cleaner and work your way up. I usually start with spit, then go to dish detergent suds, then oxyclean/windex, then upwards through goo gone and bathroom tile cleaners until I get to the acetone/bleach end of the scale.

As for glue... krazy glue is EVIL... contact cement is best for all shoe repairs. If you screw up you can always remove it.
 
Thanks, Jonathan! I read your tip in another thread last week (?) - after I had already done the damage, of course.

What is goo gone?

Deborah
 
I think goo gone is a Canadian product. I believe its just kerosene -- at least that is what it smells like. Its great for removing sticky residues from labels.
 
We have Goo Gone here too "south of the border"

I was going to look on the label just now but my husband gave our bottle to someone to get the sticky adhesive off PVC pipes
 
Thanks, another great tip! And an easy name to remember.

Deborah
 
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