Can turpentine be used to clean paint from leather surfaces?

Yes, turpentine is a gum spirit and is an extracted oil. It is soluble in oil and thus can thin almost any type of oil based paint, especially when the paint is wet. Paints with an acrylic base polymer do not respond well to this solvent and the best way to remove it is by scrapping it off/using some form of abrasion. However, turpentine is a very strong solvent and can damage the natural fibers of certain types of leather, ex: lambskin, suede. Cowhide and other tough leathers should be able to withstand it. Always test a small sport first, and use either diluted turpentine or as little as possible and wipe off within seconds, reapplying a little each time--you don't want it to soak into the leather, which harms more than helps it. After all the paint is removed, moisturize the leather with leather lotion or neatsfoot oil. Do not use silicone polishes, mineral oil or other oils. Waxes like carnuba wax or beeswax can restore the shiny surface.