How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

[Evil Lurker]

Here is a helpful hint... the recent PCB cleaning thread got me to thinking bout this. Very handy information to know for when the kids get ahold of magic markers and decide your 52" tv would make a perfect canvas for their artwork.

Yes you can safely remove permanent magic marker ink from most hard plastics, LCD screens, even stuff that has been dried for years using DMSO as the solvent. In most cases it will get it off permanent marker ink completely leaving no or very little trace of ink.

DMSO is found in most rural supply stores as horse linament. Its completely safe for use on plastics, but you might have to keep it a bit warm since it crystallizes around room temps. And oh yeah, try and keep it off your skin since it can be absorbed transdermally. Its not considered dangerous, but it does leave a funky taste in your mouth... sorta reminds me of pressure cooked cabbage.

[b700029]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Another trick I've heard is to use an eraseable whiteboard marker to solvate the dried ink, and then wipe it off.

[jsog]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Ordinary rubbing alcohol will remove Sharpie "permanent" ink from a lot of things.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Ordinary rubbing alcohol will remove Sharpie "permanent" ink from a lot of things.

Yes but it'll also leave traces of its own... it is especially bad for transparent plastics.

[Krankshaft]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Yes but it'll also leave traces of its own... it is especially bad for transparent plastics.

I will only dull the cheap plastics I've found.

There are buffing and polishing compounds to remove the light haze.

[larrymoencurly]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Waterless hand cleaner

[mathog]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

And oh yeah, try and keep it off your skin since it can be absorbed transdermally. Its not considered dangerous, but it does leave a funky taste in your mouth... sorta reminds me of pressure cooked cabbage.

The DMSO itself isn't bad, but whatever it carries with it into your body might be. Google and you will find that the consensus seems to be that thick rubber gloves (ie, chemical handling gloves) should be used. Some of the other glove types dissolve in the stuff.

[Rangefinder]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.


Save a trip, WD-40 contains DMSO.

[Uranium-235]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

yeah and a bunch of other shit too

best way to keep screens clean...not have kids to write on them in the first place

[mathog]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

Save a trip, WD-40 contains DMSO.

I don't think so. At least it isn't listed specifically on the MSDS, and it would be a strange ingredient to mix in with a bunch of oils. If DMSO is present there cannot be much of it, since the vast majority of the ingredients are hydrocarbons and oils.

[thisguy]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

DMSO is absorbed quickly into the skin. That's why you can often taste it when you handle it without gloves. As long as it not mixed with anything poisonous, I think it should be safe.

[killian6pk]

Re: How to remove permanent magic marker ink from plastics/LCD screens/painted stuff.

The reason DMSO is in horse liniment is that it helps the stuff get absorbed. My grandmother used horse liniment for years (this was before icy hot and the like) for arthritis. It stunk to high heaven, but seemed to work for her. Don't know what that has to do with LCD screens. Just throwing it out there.