Comments on: I can't shoot the little bastards so help me clean up

Question: I can't shoot the little bastards so help me clean up

Optimus Chyme — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:03:14 -0800

What's the best way to remove permanent marker from semi-porous plastic?

Some idiot tagged our cable box yesterday; it's a yellow plastic material, and I have no idea what to use to get this shit off. My vaunted Magic Eraser only got the top coating off. I'm cool with using harsh chemicals, or if all else fails painting the damned thing black, but I'd rather not.

By: Optimus Chyme

Optimus Chyme — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:04:15 -0800

Oh also tagging private property should be punishable by death but that's for another time, I suppose.

By: bonheur

bonheur — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:09:51 -0800

Try hairspray.

By: dking

dking — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:23:18 -0800

I think rubbing alcohol works...but try it on an inconspious place on the plastic first.

By: phearlez

phearlez — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:26:56 -0800

I have used denatured alcohol to remove permanent marker from whiteboards at work. More porous stuff could be a problem.

No matter what, remove it immediately. All indications are that the degenerates prefer to tag things that stay visible and nothing discourages them more than removing the markings immediately.

By: misterbrandt

misterbrandt — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:36:09 -0800

Any kick-ass solvent that can attack the paint chemically will probably do a similar number of the box, so whatever you do, do it cautiously. (Acetone, hexane, etc.)

I have had pretty good luck using products from Napier. They are supposedly environmentally friendly, which was good for me as I was working in an enclosed space with them. But I don't know what they will do to plastic -- i was stripping glue and paint from concrete...

By: Optimus Chyme

Optimus Chyme — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:57:35 -0800

It looks like the plastic is more porous than I thought. Rubbing alcohol didn't do a thing. Okay I will try acetone.

By: clarahamster

clarahamster — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 17:11:11 -0800

Acetone may well dissolve the plastic. I think nail polish remover has a warning to keep it away from any plastic you don't want damaged. Try it somewhere inconspicuous first!

By: snsranch

snsranch — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:08:05 -0800

If it's one of those small boxes, 1' high and 4"or 6" across, I would just get some spray paint and give it a nice dusty coat.

The reasoning behind this idea is that if you've been tagged once it'll happen again. So pick a nice color that is probably better than yellow anyway and have some fun with it.

If you're not digging that idea, then contact your cable co. They have been through this thousands of times and will surely either fix it for you or will provide something for you to use that is professional grade/anti-tagger stuff.

By: cyrusdogstar

cyrusdogstar — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:54:24 -0800

Good suggestions so far, especially on the 'if it stays up, more will follow'. Note that if you paint it solid black they'll probably just use white or silver markers/paint instead.

By: Optimus Chyme

Optimus Chyme — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 19:43:02 -0800

Yeah, I figured they would, but it's a lot easier to cover up white with black than vice versa. Now to call my congressman about these young ruffians.

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 00:55:07 -0800

From my experience, methyl alcohol works better than ethyl or isopropyl on most permanent markers.

By: alidarbac

alidarbac — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:43:05 -0800

What I've found from my ESL career: non-permanent marker ink can remove permanent marker ink (at least on white boards.)

By: Penguin

Penguin — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 06:50:34 -0800

Try SoftScrub. This contains a very mild abrasive that works as a polish for plastic.

By: Optimus Chyme

Optimus Chyme — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 07:53:41 -0800

Thanks, guys. I'll post again once I find something that works or I get some info from the cable company. >:(

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 12:13:58 -0800

BTW, methyl alcohol magically dissolves most ballpoint ink, which is very difficult to remove otherwise. Works well on hard surfaces, like desk tops, but don't try it on fabric or you'll get a larger stain.