How do you remove permanent marker from your car?

[actionvaughn]

I'm so livid right now..

I got off a short four hour shift at work and found out my car's been vandalized. It's a short sentence, that even if I wanted to repeat, I wouldn't be able to since the Dis probably won't let me. I million things went through my head, including am I suppose to call my insurance? File a report with the police? What customer did I make mad enough to write on my car? And how did they find my car when our parking lot's been full all day?? Ugh. I wanted to punch something.

I ended up just coming home, pouting. I don't know how to begin to take it off without messing up the paint, and googling doesn't seem to help much. Does anyone have any tips after facing a similar annoying situation?

 

[Beth76]

Rubbing alcohol is pretty good about getting out permanant marker. But I don't know what that will do to your paint. Of course, you're going to have to get a new paint job anyway. And yes, call the police and your insurance company. Does your building have surveillance cameras on the parking lot? I'm sorry this happened.

 

[swea_pea1]

Oh, that stinks!!

I had somebody write on my car windows once with Sharpie and it came off with nail polish remover. I don't know if it will damage the paint though....a quick search indicates some say yes, some say no.

Here's a thread I found about it:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/170098-tips-removing-permanent-marker-car-paint-2.html

I'd try it on a small inconspicuous area first to see if the paint strips.

Good luck!

 

[DawnCt1]

File a police report. You will need it if you need to call your insurance company. Try alcohol or hairspray in an inconspicuous spot.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

My brother had the same thing happen. Rubbing alcohol worked for him. You can test it first on your car paint in an inconspicuous spot to see how you paint will react. My brother's 2006 Toyota Coralla was fine.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Definitely call the police if you're going to call the insurance company. I'd call the police regardless. Assuming you weren't targeted and there's been a rash of vandalism, your report can help them establish a pattern.

As for getting it off, how about trying a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser?

 

[lsyorke]

Sour milk will take it out of upholstery...it's worth a try on the car finish. Just take a drop of vinegar in a small amount of milk to "sour" it.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

As for getting it off, how about trying a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser?

That's what I would try. If Mr. Clean can't clean it, it's just uncleanable.

Sorry someone did that to your car.

 

[kaw1218]

If it's on the paint, Home Depot sells a Grafitti remover that works well. There are a few different kinds for different things. It's in the paint department.

 

[actionvaughn]

Thanks for all the suggestions! My brother actually suggested erasing it with... a pencil eraser- and it came off! (Though I did scour the house for Mr. Clean Magic eraser first!) Granted it took a lot of elbow work and time, there doesn't seem to be any residue. It was late at night when I took it off, so I'll find out in a moment if I need to buy any more stuff.

A lot of the regulars at work are cops, so I'll mention it and see what they have to say. Thanks again guys!

 

[Imzadi]

If there is residue, try hair spray. That simply disolves the ink. You can actually see it disintigrating if you wait a moment. Test it on an inconspicuous spot first, as I don't know what it will do to the paint.

Then of course, you'll need to wash the car to remove the hairspray.

 

[gardenhoe]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...nent+marker+from+car+paint&btnG=Google+Search

You could also call an auto body paint shop to verify that a method won't damange the paint.

You could also call a company like Sharpie & check with them.

 

[MM27]

someone wrote on my car with a red sharpie marker. I used nail polish remover and it came off with no problem. My car is silver and it didn't take off any of the car paint. I filed a police report, but nothing came from it. The person also marked up all of the school's windows (where I was parked)

 

[thinkerbell]

I have used dry erase markers to get permanent marker off of my board at school. Just mark over it and wipe it off. Learned that from another teacher.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the OP has probably resolved her 14 yr old problem by now (and last posted 10 yrs ago) !!!

 

[AgentMama]

The week of zombie threads

 

[Stratman50th]

I actually don't mind the old threads if the results are timeless. If I was the one resurrecting the thread I'd have probably started out with "I know this thread is pretty old, but using a pencil eraser is a good idea as well as being safe on the paint". You just never know when these old gems will come in handy.