Removing Permanent Marker From Styrene?

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:40 am

I'm looking for a way of safely removing permanent marker from styrene.

I used a thin Sharpie to mark the lit windows on my Enterprise-D, and now that I've drilled out the holes, I'd like to remove the color so I can get a better look at the underlying plastic.

A search on the net brought up everything from pencil eraser to hand sanitizer to dry-erase marker.

Is there anything that won't ruin styrene?

(I know that acetone is flat out.)

Thanks,

-Tchail

Malcolm M · Post by **Malcolm M** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:14 am

Recently my wife was marking out a route on a map on her laptop lid. Well when she was done an exact copy had bled through the paper onto the plastic.

Lighter fluid removed the Sharpie without damaging the plastic. I suggest you try it on a spare piece of sprue first to be sure it doesn't harm the styrene.

If that doesn't work check on the web for "Goo Gone ink remover". I've never used it, but heard good things about it.

Good luck,
Malc.

seam-filler · Post by **seam-filler** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:23 am

IPA - Isopropyl Alcohol works too. But lighter fluid is good.

eeun · Post by **eeun** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:55 pm

I've used Goo-Gone and a toothbrush on ABS computer cases before, with good results. Should in theory work just as well on Styrene. Didn't eliminate it 100%, but should give you enough removal for a re-prime without getting bleed-through (hopefully!)
It won't harm the plastic at all, and a good soap and water will remove any of its citrus residue.

Easy-Off oven cleaner might be an effective last-resort, but don't leave it on for more than a few hours or it may start to brittle the plastic.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:15 pm

Use 90-percent isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol. Your problems are solved.

Kenny

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:40 pm

Yup - I mark up the glassware for labs all the time.Quick squirt from the bottle of alcohol(isopropyl or denatred) and it just goes away.

Neither will affect styrene.

Kev

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 7:46 pm

Sharpies are fierce. There's a chance there's going to be some bleed into the plastic—the isopropyl alcohol will remove everything off the surface, but you may have a faint 'ghost' on the styrene.

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:22 am

Hand sanitizer works great.

It's mostly isoproyl alcohol anyway.

I'm not worried about any ghosting on the plastic, as the kit will be primed and painted anyway.

Thanks guys!

-Tchail

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:27 am

Simple bathroom cleaner will take it off. SPray on, wipe off. So will rubbing alcohol.

Apollo Adama · Post by **Apollo Adama** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:51 pm

Rubbing alcohol is pretty much the universal solvent for a sharpie or other permanent marker.

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:53 pm

Fire?

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:07 am

Stu Pidasso wrote:Fire?

CPL Hicks wrote: I say we take off, nuke the Sharpie from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Kenny