Permanent Marker Removal

[Mr. Clean]

Anyone have any first hand experience with this problem? The surface is texture plastic (think headliner surround trim).

My initial thought are products such as Goof Off or Goo Gone. The area is not a small isolated mark, but rather large. The truck drive must have thought it a good idea to write the dispatch (my assumption) phone numbers where he could always seem them. Well, now it is time to take the truck out of service and return to the leasing company. I obviously need to remove the "graffiti" while not messing up the trim area.

 

[JaredPointer]

You might could try (very cautiously) nail polish remover / acetone. It's worked for me in a pinch removing some Sharpie marks on a variety of things.

 

[Stokdgs]

I like to use Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner, letting it dwell, and then rubbing the stain with a white towel or one of those Tuf Shine blue/black sponges. If all else fails, I will use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser (original formula) carefully with the Einszett product, and it will usually remove anything. Just be careful, that you dont rub too hard and change the texture of the plastic.

Good luck with this.
Dan F

 

[Nth Degree]

IPA will cut through sharpie, but not sure how deeply the ink saturated the plastic or how the plastic would react to the IPA. I would imagine safer than the acetone of nail polish remover. Denatured Alcohol or mineral spirits would be my next step if the previous 2 don't work. Just test small, inconspicuous spots.

Good luck. Let us know what works. Good info for when the time comes.

 

[Old Pirate]

I have try these products on those surfaces: Collinite Sapphire Leather & Vinyl Treatment Wax #855, Nail Polish Remover, Hair Spray, WD-40 work a few times and Acetone. But do remember that one can and will remove part on the surface will the marker is on. So be careful.

 

[opie_7afe]

alcohol will work to remove the marker but if the area is dyed it might remove that also, so i would go with a less aggressive method first which would be leather cleaner on a microfiber or terry towel, if that failed i would try a light dilution of an all purpose cleaner(meguiars APC+ at 10:1 removes permanent marker from plastic squeeze bottles) then i would try something like de-solv-it which is 100% natrual and contains d-limonene.or get pure d-limonene you can use the pure product to easily remove tar,adhesive and all other forms of goopy sticky stuff. most "citrus" cleaners use d-limone aka orange terpenes but using pretty low dilution of around 5%-20%. that should work for you..i like to purchase products that can be used for more then one specific issue.

 

[Mr. Clean]

Thanks for the responses...

You might could try (very cautiously) nail polish remover / acetone. It's worked for me in a pinch removing some Sharpie marks on a variety of things.

The key to that is VERY CAUTIOUSLY, right? Interesting, I hope I don't have to resort to that. I fear discoloring the trim piece and due to it's prominent location I figure it would be an easy spot for the leasing company.

I like to use Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner, letting it dwell, and then rubbing the stain with a white towel or one of those Tuf Shine blue/black sponges. If all else fails, I will use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser (original formula) carefully with the Einszett product, and it will usually remove anything. Just be careful, that you dont rub too hard and change the texture of the plastic.

Good luck with this.
Dan F

I have the PlastikReiniger product. I will try that, though dwell time is pretty tough on a vertical surfaces Yeah, not real thrilled with using Mr. Clean Erasers on interior plastic trim pieces or textured trim (though with a name like that how could you go wrong?)

IPA will cut through sharpie, but not sure how deeply the ink saturated the plastic or how the plastic would react to the IPA. I would imagine safer than the acetone of nail polish remover. Denatured Alcohol or mineral spirits would be my next step if the previous 2 don't work. Just test small, inconspicuous spots.

Good luck. Let us know what works. Good info for when the time comes.

I've got mineral spirits, and of course IPA, but put that to the back of my mind thinking the product too corrosive. And in this case, there is no inconspicous spot.

I have try these products on those surfaces: Collinite Sapphire Leather & Vinyl Treatment Wax #855, Nail Polish Remover, Hair Spray, WD-40 work a few times and Acetone. But do remember that one can and will remove part on the surface will the marker is on. So be careful.

Hair Spray....Mr. Clean ain't got no hair spray WD-40, it's legend grows :rofl Well, it might be worth a try.

alcohol will work to remove the marker but if the area is dyed it might remove that also, so i would go with a less aggressive method first which would be leather cleaner on a microfiber or terry towel, if that failed i would try a light dilution of an all purpose cleaner(meguiars APC+ at 10:1 removes permanent marker from plastic squeeze bottles) then i would try something like de-solv-it which is 100% natrual and contains d-limonene.or get pure d-limonene you can use the pure product to easily remove tar,adhesive and all other forms of goopy sticky stuff. most "citrus" cleaners use d-limone aka orange terpenes but using pretty low dilution of around 5%-20%. that should work for you..i like to purchase products that can be used for more then one specific issue.

I will certainly try an APC dilution first, though really didn't think anything less than a 1:4 ratio would even begin to work. I buy di-limonene by the gallon, and use a dilution rate of <1 oz./32 oz. spray for a wide variety of household chores. However Goo Gone always works better for the heavier tasks and take it from me you don't want to use a really heavy dilution of di-limonene on plastics. :redface:

 

[ca.detailchick]

The only things Ive used that get ink off also take off some of the finish with it unfortunetly.

I was just shopping at another site for some things you dont carry here and spotted this ink removing pen and ordered it to give it a try .

I have no idea if it even works but I will let you know if it does . Its called "Magna Mark professional ink remover" pen. It says it works on plastics, coated leather and vinyl.

 

[Dr Oldz]

Hummm. Irish Spring works and is gentle but does require some rubbing.

 

[ca.detailchick]

I had a faint ink mark today on my dash that "goof off "took off in one swipe and did no damage to my dash. Its tricky though because too many passes and goof off can start to take the finish off .

 

[DHCrocks]

I have used lighter fluid for Zippo to remove sharpie markings on plastic before. Just get a cotton ball, saturate with fluid and wipe off. use a towel to remove any excess and buff off. Make sure you go back over the area with your choice of protectant as this will remove all off it. I have never had it discolor plastic but as always test it first.

 

[Paintxpert]

I have news for you.......It aint coming out! Shine since 1969. Permanent marker is not coming off plastic or material. Save your money. The best your going to do is lighten it or paint it. Sorry to be the bearer of the news.

 

[ca.detailchick]

The only things Ive used that get ink off also take off some of the finish with it unfortunetly.

I was just shopping at another site for some things you dont carry here and spotted this ink removing pen and ordered it to give it a try .

I have no idea if it even works but I will let you know if it does . Its called "Magna Mark professional ink remover" pen. It says it works on plastics, coated leather and vinyl.

OK I got my"magna ink removing pen" today and tested it out for you and myself

I sacrificed some plastic in the hatchback doorjam and put a good inkmark there ,let it dry for a minute. (not a true test though since fresh ink is easier to remove)

Yes it works but also removed the coating with it.

I tried one light pass on an uninked area and it also removed the coating too.

A for removal

F (comlete fail!)for being safe. :violin:

 

[hamza7]

Try Tooth paste, works really well. But have a hint of *noticable* discolouration on darker trims/plastics

 

[Nth Degree]

OK I got my"magna ink removing pen" today and tested it out for you and myself

I sacrificed some plastic in the hatchback doorjam and put a good inkmark there ,let it dry for a minute. (not a true test though since fresh ink is easier to remove)

Yes it works but also removed the coating with it.

I tried one light pass on an uninked area and it also removed the coating too.

A for removal

F (comlete fail!)for being safe. :violin:

Hey DC,

How about giving it a try on uncoated plastic and/or fabric/carpet. Sounds incredibly aggressive, but sometimes that is what it takes. It would be worth knowing what it's capable of.