Re: [MV] Paint Pen Removal

Edward Greeley (etgreeley@worldnet.att.net)
Thu, 27 Aug 1998 00:04:51 -0500

Hello Terry,

I have bought a lot of stuff from DRMO, on which they have aggrevatingly
scribbled with their Magic Markers, paint pens, and who knows what else.
Different DRMOs seem to favor different types of markers.

I keep a selection of solvents on hand for various tasks, and sometimes
one or the other of these solvents succeeds in removing the DRMO
graffiti: (A) Mineral spirits ("paint thinner"); (B) Solvent (denatured)
alcohol; (C) Toluene (toluol); (D) Lacquer thinner; (E) Acetone. Those
are listed in the order of what I consider to have increasing
aggressiveness. They vary from moderately flammable (mineral spirits) to
explosive (acetone); be careful! Also, note that some types of markers
seem be removable with a solvent which is lower on the aggressiveness
scale than others. Go figure. I have even found some types of marker
graffiti which could be removed simply with Comet powder cleanser, a
damp rag, and lots of elbow grease.

Don't use anything stronger than mineral spirits on plastic parts; most
of the more aggressive solvents will attack one or another type of
plastic.

Start with the least aggressive solvent and, first, try it on a spot of
the finish which is not too noticeable. If it doesn't damage the finish
more than you can stand, then try that solvent on the graffiti. If that
doesn't do the job, repeat the process with the next more aggressive
solvent, etc, etc.

Another solvent which works on some types of markers is trichloroethane
but that is just about unobtainable any more, thanks to EPA.

Good luck!

Ed Greeley
Mobile, AL

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