How to remove permanent marker?

flybigjet · 03-23-2020, 07:59 PM

Hypothetically, let's say someone took a permanent marker, and wrote all over (and I mean EVERYWHERE) in the interior of your M2-- dash, leather, trim, alcantara, etc.

How would you get it off without ruining the finish?

TIA.

McGary911 · 03-24-2020, 07:38 AM

Oh boy. Try nail polish remover in a spot. It's basically acetone with some oils and conditioners mixed in.

Then give everything a good cleaning with your fav interior cleaner.

Then destroy all permanent markers within a 1/2 mile radius.

I hate to ask, but do you have a pic? I know that's morbid but have never seen anything like what you describe.

flybigjet · 03-24-2020, 08:18 AM

The M2 part is hypothetical.

The actual is a lot worse.

My brother-in-law passed away last weekend from terminal kidney cancer. He was a "for real" diagnosed paranoid-schizophrenic (and I guarandamntee you that you can't comprehend how this destroyed his family-- anything you can imagine? A thousand times worse.)

Anyhow, he was living in his parents driveway in an RV that they had bought him-- and he pretty much went crazy with permanent highlighter and wrote on every available surface-- pretty much destroying the RV.

My father-in-law asked me if he knew any way to get some of it off-- we're NOT talking a little area you could use nail polish remover-- we're talking Every. Surface. In. The. RV. Cloth, plastic, formica, paneling, etc.

I have NO idea what to use. I was considering isopropyl alcohol. I'd thought of acetone, but that'll take the finish right off.

So, no pictures-- the entire thing is pretty upsetting, actually.

R.

Got f1? · 03-24-2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybigjet

The M2 part is hypothetical.

The actual is a lot worse.

My brother-in-law passed away last weekend from terminal kidney cancer. He was a "for real" diagnosed paranoid-schizophrenic (and I guarandamntee you that you can't comprehend how this destroyed his family-- anything you can imagine? A thousand times worse.)

Anyhow, he was living in his parents driveway in an RV that they had bought him-- and he pretty much went crazy with permanent highlighter and wrote on every available surface-- pretty much destroying the RV.

My father-in-law asked me if he knew any way to get some of it off-- we're NOT talking a little area you could use nail polish remover-- we're talking Every. Surface. In. The. RV. Cloth, plastic, formica, paneling, etc.

I have NO idea what to use. I was considering isopropyl alcohol. I'd thought of acetone, but that'll take the finish right off.

So, no pictures-- the entire thing is pretty upsetting, actually.

R.

Sounds awful. Sorry for you and the family. Maybe try asking a local detail professional? Another alternative to consider is insurance. Depending on who the insured is, there may be coverage for this under vandalism. *Maybe* but worth a shot.

McGary911 · 03-24-2020, 09:43 AM

I think the actetone would work on the hard surfaces but test, test test.

You plan on doing this yourself or hiring a professional service? There's a ton more surface area in an RV than an M2.

Here's an idea. I'm sure a few of those permanent highlighters are still around (even if they're used up). Get in touch with the manufacturer and let them know about your situation. I'm sure they could recommend the mildest product for various surfaces that would still do the job. They might even have some stuff in house that they can share with you. It's worth asking.

Tough family situation. It sounds like your inlaws did the best they could.

2PUTT · 03-25-2020, 11:44 AM

you can try the different types of Magic Eraser out there...

M Fifty · 03-25-2020, 01:04 PM

If it's on leather, try baby wipes.

For smooth plastic finishes try a cream cleaner for use on plastic baths.

chip_dip19 · 03-25-2020, 02:06 PM

Try rubbing alcohol or wd40

AndrewC1989 · 03-26-2020, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got f1?

Maybe try asking a local detail professional?

+1 get a detailer to look at it

M2OG · 07-11-2020, 12:52 AM

A trick I learned on non porous surfaces is to go over the sharpie with dry erase marker. This will allow you to wipe away the sharpie. It's like magic

ifixraptors · 07-13-2020, 01:16 PM

believe it or not, use the sharpie and go over the sharpie area you want to remove, and wipe it away quickly. This is an old trade secret I learned years ago. Try it first in an inconspicuous area. Not sure how its going to work on a porous material. The theory is it softens the ink and you can easily wipe it way.

BMW 16 5-0 · 02-10-2023, 01:20 PM

A dry erase marker will remove a permanent sharpie marker on plastic. You need to wipe it before it fully dries and it may take more than one go at it.

Not sure if it would work on a porous surface.

chris719 · 02-10-2023, 06:50 PM

Magic eraser is very abrasive, do not use it except as a last resort.

The best chemical for removing Sharpie ink is methanol. It wipes right off of hard surfaces with it. In our lab we use methanol to rinse the writing off of beakers. It just runs right off without being touched. However, I am not sure what surfaces are or are not safe to use methanol on. It works even better than acetone and is probably less harmful to more surfaces, but it's still a strong alcohol.

cvitt · 03-01-2023, 04:16 PM

Best product ever is Koch chimie eulex … have a look on YouTube for demos

03-23-2020, 07:59 PM	#1
flybigjet Remove Before Flight 6719 Rep 1,605 Posts Drives: M2C & Boeing's light twin Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Littleton (Denver), CO iTrader: (1)	How to remove permanent marker? Hypothetically, let's say someone took a permanent marker, and wrote all over (and I mean EVERYWHERE) in the interior of your M2-- dash, leather, trim, alcantara, etc. How would you get it off without ruining the finish? TIA.
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03-24-2020, 07:38 AM	#2
McGary911 Captain 467 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2017 LBB M2 DCT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: St Johns, FL iTrader: (0)	Oh boy. Try nail polish remover in a spot. It's basically acetone with some oils and conditioners mixed in. Then give everything a good cleaning with your fav interior cleaner. Then destroy all permanent markers within a 1/2 mile radius. I hate to ask, but do you have a pic? I know that's morbid but have never seen anything like what you describe. __________________ 2004 E46 ///M3 SMG Convertible Carbon Blk\Imola 2017 LBB ///M2 DCT 2013 Porsche Boxster S
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03-24-2020, 08:18 AM	#3
flybigjet Remove Before Flight 6719 Rep 1,605 Posts Drives: M2C & Boeing's light twin Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Littleton (Denver), CO iTrader: (1)	The M2 part is hypothetical. The actual is a lot worse. My brother-in-law passed away last weekend from terminal kidney cancer. He was a "for real" diagnosed paranoid-schizophrenic (and I guarandamntee you that you can't comprehend how this destroyed his family-- anything you can imagine? A thousand times worse.) Anyhow, he was living in his parents driveway in an RV that they had bought him-- and he pretty much went crazy with permanent highlighter and wrote on every available surface-- pretty much destroying the RV. My father-in-law asked me if he knew any way to get some of it off-- we're NOT talking a little area you could use nail polish remover-- we're talking Every. Surface. In. The. RV. Cloth, plastic, formica, paneling, etc. I have NO idea what to use. I was considering isopropyl alcohol. I'd thought of acetone, but that'll take the finish right off. So, no pictures-- the entire thing is pretty upsetting, actually. R.
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03-24-2020, 09:43 AM	#5
McGary911 Captain 467 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2017 LBB M2 DCT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: St Johns, FL iTrader: (0)	I think the actetone would work on the hard surfaces but test, test test. You plan on doing this yourself or hiring a professional service? There's a ton more surface area in an RV than an M2. Here's an idea. I'm sure a few of those permanent highlighters are still around (even if they're used up). Get in touch with the manufacturer and let them know about your situation. I'm sure they could recommend the mildest product for various surfaces that would still do the job. They might even have some stuff in house that they can share with you. It's worth asking. Tough family situation. It sounds like your inlaws did the best they could. __________________ 2004 E46 ///M3 SMG Convertible Carbon Blk\Imola 2017 LBB ///M2 DCT 2013 Porsche Boxster S Last edited by McGary911; 03-24-2020 at 09:56 AM..
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03-25-2020, 11:44 AM	#6
2PUTT Captain 512 Rep 943 Posts Drives: F87 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ubiquitous iTrader: (5)	you can try the different types of Magic Eraser out there... __________________ >> M2C Build Thread << >> M2C IG Delivery + Detail <<
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03-25-2020, 01:04 PM	#7
M Fifty Banned 844 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: M2 & 330CI Join Date: May 2018 Location: The Interweb iTrader: (0)	If it's on leather, try baby wipes. For smooth plastic finishes try a cream cleaner for use on plastic baths.
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03-25-2020, 02:06 PM	#8
chip_dip19 Private First Class 150 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Try rubbing alcohol or wd40
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07-11-2020, 12:52 AM	#10
M2OG Lieutenant 400 Rep 463 Posts Drives: a car Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: California iTrader: (1)	A trick I learned on non porous surfaces is to go over the sharpie with dry erase marker. This will allow you to wipe away the sharpie. It's like magic
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07-13-2020, 01:16 PM	#11
ifixraptors New Member 30 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2020 HS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0)	believe it or not, use the sharpie and go over the sharpie area you want to remove, and wipe it away quickly. This is an old trade secret I learned years ago. Try it first in an inconspicuous area. Not sure how its going to work on a porous material. The theory is it softens the ink and you can easily wipe it way.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2023, 01:20 PM	#12
BMW 16 5-0 Enlisted Member 17 Rep 47 Posts Drives: M2 Competition Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	A dry erase marker will remove a permanent sharpie marker on plastic. You need to wipe it before it fully dries and it may take more than one go at it. Not sure if it would work on a porous surface.
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02-10-2023, 06:50 PM	#13
chris719 Major General 7329 Rep 7,293 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Magic eraser is very abrasive, do not use it except as a last resort. The best chemical for removing Sharpie ink is methanol. It wipes right off of hard surfaces with it. In our lab we use methanol to rinse the writing off of beakers. It just runs right off without being touched. However, I am not sure what surfaces are or are not safe to use methanol on. It works even better than acetone and is probably less harmful to more surfaces, but it's still a strong alcohol.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2023, 04:16 PM	#14
cvitt Private First Class 126 Rep 110 Posts Drives: BMW's Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Best product ever is Koch chimie eulex … have a look on YouTube for demos
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