Removing Black Permanent Marker

Updated on April 23, 2009
S.M. asks from Marlton, NJ
14 answers

Help! My 4 year old son decided to draw a "racetrack" on my painted white built in shelves and windowsill! I've tried the Magic Eraser and it didn't remove it.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your advise. I went with alcohol and it came up...though my fingers and arms feel like they're gonna fall off. At least it's gone. Thanks again and yes...it was a Lightning Mcqueen racetrack!

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D.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

You can try "Goo Gone". If the shwelves are lacquered it shouldn't take the paint off, byut test it on a small area, first. Good Luck!!

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T.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughter had done the same thing and drew on everything! Aerosol hairspray will remove it but it must be the aerosol not pump hairspray. It works on clothes as well. Good luck!

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M.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Rubbing it with a baking soda paste usually works also.

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K.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

S.,
I know this is going to sound crazy but bug wipes will take off the marker. Just last week my 4 yr old took a permanent marker to my white cabinets. I used the Cutter Mosquitos wipes and it came right off.
Take care,
K.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

try 90% rubbing alcohol which is applied to something cotton like a old cotton t shirt and then rub it on there. in the process it may wind up taking the paint off. unfortunately,you may have to repaint the shelves and windowsill.

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D.V.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I had black marker on jeans and hairspray took it out.

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi S., if the magic eraser won't work...throw away any permanent markers in the house and break out the paint. Best wishes.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

try rubbing alcohol...may not get it totally out but keep up with it

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B.W.

answers from Erie on

You may end up needing to by something called "BIN" -- not sure how you spell it. It's a basically white primer but it conceals the color beneath it whereas primers are usually fairly faintly colored. Then you'll have to paint it white again.

Other than that, I'm not a color removing whiz, so I'll leave the best ideas to others. :-)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Try toothpaste! And I would keep trying the Magic Erasers. I've also heard baby wipes take lots of stuff off. Maybe try Murphy's Oil Soap-that should be fine for painted surfaces. You may have to do it again and again so hang in there. If re-poainting is required, I'd cover it with Kilz primer first so it won't bleed through again.
(If I were a betting woman, I's say this was a Lightning McQueen Piston Cup track!)

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B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi... I used Tea Tree Oil to remove sharpies and it worked really well. You can buy it at a health food store, or maybe at the health food aisle at your local grocery store. Good Luck!

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A.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

Ha!! I ran into this problem when my son decided to write "Beware of Dog" on the painted siding on the front of our house!

It took alot of elbow grease, but we started with some "Goo-Gone" (available at hardware stores i.e. Lowe's) and finished with Magic Eraser. It took awhile, but it worked!

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M.C.

answers from York on

Next time (and i am sure there will be) try Sol-u-mel it is made by Melaluca. This will save your arms I can guarontee that you will not have to scrub and scrub. It also removes hundreds of other annoying things. You can find melaluca on the internet just GOOGLE it. The company also makes lots of other products. Just thought you would like to know how to save your arms for next time. I have 4 kids I have used this product hundreds of times. It does not matter if the marker has been there for a year, this stuff will get it out.
Better luck next time.
M.

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J.

answers from Harrisburg on

This sounds very odd, however I have used this successfully several times now, try Pledge furniture polish.

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