Cleaning off permanent marker

[samwise]

I am looking to sell the four large balloon fenders I acquired for our passage through the French canals. The problem is that ( in order to discourage theft) I marked them prominently around the top with the boat name inscribed in black permanent marker.

I have tried most of the "sovereign" remedies to remove it, all without success and it looks as if the abrasive route is the only sure cure, although that would certainly destroy the surface in that area. Any ideas welcomed.

 

[rosssavage]

Acetone. On and off quick, liberally rinsed straight away to avoid damage to the rubber surface.

 

[samwise]

Acetone. On and off quick, liberally rinsed straight away to avoid damage to the rubber surface.

I wondered about that, but you would have to be really, really quick would you not? A pile of melted rubber may not be very marketable

 

[Ubergeekian]

... black permanent marker...

Cellulose thinners.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

You need to use non-permanent marker over the top and then wipe the whole lot off.

 

[TNT]

fenders marking

I have used acetone before and it works but you have to be quick and use it sparingly.........failing that coulour the whole top with the same marker used to wrire originally.!!

 

[30boat]

I seem to remember those markers were alcohol based.No harm in trying that.

 

[DannyB]

There is a good reason they are called permanent markers. It doesn't come off!

 

[flipper]

You need to use non-permanent marker over the top and then wipe the whole lot off.

+1

 

[mattw]

Try an isopropanol based cleaner. Alternatively Le Mark Pal-Clean (http://www.stage-electrics.co.uk/Category.aspx?id=22107) is fairly gentle on plastics but will remove most permanent markers with a little elbow grease.

 

[fisherman]

Ethanol.

 

[duncan99210]

A mild abrasive cleaner like gel coat restorer or TCut should shift it with a bit of elbow grease.

 

[Wunja]

You need to use non-permanent marker over the top and then wipe the whole lot off.

+2

On several occasions I have rescued an embarrassed visitor who has written on the office whiteboard with a permanent marker with this trick.
The pens you need are often referred to as 'dry wipe' and are specifically for white boards.

If this doesn't work try toothpaste, which has a very fine abrasive.

 

[TamarMike]

All sounds a bit complicated, I've always just wiped it off with petrol on a rag, not on fenders but on other plastics and vinyl.

 

[oldvarnish]

I've got an old boat name on an Avon dinghy in permanent marker. What would you recommend for that?

 

[VicS]

The markers I use clean off easily with meths. I guess propanol will work equally well.

Try acetone , cellulose thinners, antifouling thinners, and other solvents with care

Also try domestic bleach!

BUT 1
The ink is sometimes absorbed into the surface then its not possible to remove it.

BUT 2
6 months in the sun and it'll most likely fade anyway.

 

[ColinR]

I am looking to sell the four large balloon fenders I acquired for our passage through the French canals. The problem is that ( in order to discourage theft) I marked them prominently around the top with the boat name inscribed in black permanent marker.

I have tried most of the "sovereign" remedies to remove it, all without success and it looks as if the abrasive route is the only sure cure, although that would certainly destroy the surface in that area. Any ideas welcomed.

Acetone. Use the whole time to remove permanent marker.

 

[aquaplane]

I use acetone to get permanent marker off glass, it works fine. An acetone damp rag should get it off but it may have stained the plastic as already mentioned.

Acetone does go for perspex and many other plastics though, like Moulinex coffee grinder bits. Meths/ethanol is much gentler and works almost as well, not tried on a fender myself, test it in an inconspicuous place as they say.

 

[Marine Reflections]

The markers I use clean off easily with meths. I guess propanol will work equally well.

Try acetone , cellulose thinners, antifouling thinners, and other solvents with care

Also try domestic bleach!

BUT 1
The ink is sometimes absorbed into the surface then its not possible to remove it.

BUT 2
6 months in the sun and it'll most likely fade anyway.

+1

 

[Marsupial]

+1

+ another 1, its the tried and tested remedy for removing permanent marker from white boards, it may work on fenders.