Removing Sharpie marker from kit plastic

['70 Grande]

Today I received a built-up Mustang kit that I won on an auction site, and was thinking that the model's body had been painted in Flat Black spray paint. Once the built-up reached my mailbox, I discovered that it was not painted with paint, but the body had been "painted" with a Black, Sharpie Permanent marker, (the thick, greasy, permanent Black ink that goes on in streaks).

Has anyone ever encountered this situation before? If so, were you able to remove the Sharpie "marker-paint" job? I'm looking for any suggestions for removing this Sharpie marker from the kit's body; different solutions to soak it in, etc. Thanks.

[Mike_G]

Pure denatured alcohol will take most of it off, but the plastic will still be dyed

['70 Grande]

By "Pure, denatured", do you mean the kind of alcohol that is 80%+ alcohol? (I think many rubbing alcohols are closer to 70% alcohol).

[Ace-Garageguy]

"Denatured alcohol, also called methylated spirits or spiritus, is ethanol (booze) that has additives to make it poisonous, extremely bad tasting, foul smelling or nauseating, to discourage recreational consumption." It's used as a solvent and a fuel. Available in tins at the home or hardware store.

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as "rubbing alcohol", is not the same thing. Iso commonly comes in 70% and 90% solutions at the drug store. Makes an excellent pre-cleaner before painting (70%) and the 90% will probably remove much of your Sharpie marks too. Isopropyl cannot be consumed, period.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

['70 Grande]

Thanks for the input and excellent explanations, Mike and Ace!

[GeeBee]

When I need to remove permanent marker I use alcohol hand wash, works every time ...

[Mike_G]

By "Pure, denatured", do you mean the kind of alcohol that is 80%+ alcohol? (I think many rubbing alcohols are closer to 70% alcohol).

Ace explained it pretty well- the stuff I use is called "SLX" alcohol and is made by Kleen-Strip. I get it in quart cans at the hardware store.

[Snake45]

Common rubbing alcohol will take Sharpie off plastic, including the wonderful Silver Sharpie.

And you'll want to get as much of the stuff as possible off, too, as it can and will migrate up through paint months and even years after a model is finished.

[Tom Geiger]

Just be careful. Get it out of the panel indents etc. Clears, even Testors Dullcote will melt the Sharpie ink and make a mess on your model. Ask me how I know!

Edited January 31, 2015 by Tom Geiger

[Mike_G]

I did a little experiment today, and it seems super-glue remover beats alcohol for removing permanent marker

I'm going to let some permanent marker dry overnight and try it again tomorrow

[zenrat]

And you'll want to get as much of the stuff as possible off, too, as it can and will migrate up through paint months and even years after a model is finished.

I second that. Don't mark guidelines on the plastic with a red sharpie and think you can just paint over the top.

Don't ask me how I know...

[Intmd8r]

I don't like to use chemicals in my house that have strong vapors since I have young children around. An alternative would be to use fine grit sandpaper. Kills 2 birds with one stone-removes imperfections of the body, and removes whatever marker is on the surface. Give the paint a good surface to cling to as well.

If you use automotive etching primer afterwards, no problem

[rsxse240]

Dang, I'm gonna have trouble with my '50 Chevy pickup. I utilized fine tip sharpie for lots of marking and measuring.

[Snake45]

Dang, I'm gonna have trouble with my '50 Chevy pickup. I utilized fine tip sharpie for lots of marking and measuring.

Have you painted it already? If so, you'll be seeing the sharpie again someday. If not, no problem--just take it off now with alcohol.