PLEASE Help........ There Is Sharpie Marker on My Auto Seats

Updated on December 05, 2008
G.M. asks from Fair Oaks, CA
28 answers

Is there ANYONE who knows how to get black Sharpie permenant marker off my leather car seats?????? My 4 year old drew circles while sitting in the backseat, on the black leather seats. I am VERY afraid to touch it. I do not want to mess up the seats. But i also don't want to look @ this beautiful masterpiece anymore :) ANY SUGGESTIONS would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!! Maybe this has happened to someone else..............

3 moms found this helpful

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M.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Hey G.,

I did hear that if you try a baby wipe and some sunscreen it would take a sharpie marker off just about everything! My best frioend told me that once before since she was used of getting things like sharpie markers off of everything-(she's a pre-school teacher) so she has tried most things but this seemed to be the most effective! good luck!

M.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello,

Windex also works, My husband repairs/Dyes the leather he cleans it with Windex first. If any of the other things didn't work try this and if you may have discolored the seats you are welcome to email me and we can take a look. Dying black leather is easy and doesn't cost a lot. =)

L.

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J.H.

answers from San Francisco on

nail polish remover! Worked on my leather lazy boy chair. But you will have to crub the *%$#@ out of it! :) good luck

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A.C.

answers from Sacramento on

The longer it sits there the harder it is to remove. Go to your local auto store and tell them you have black sharpie on whatever color leather. There is a product that you can use to remove it. Don't use any products from home... magic erasers, cleaners, etc. - those can damage the leather.

I had to do this not too long ago. Although the mark on my leather was ink pen and not sharpie. The stuff from the auto store is all I can think of. And you'll have to treat it several times. I think I had to apply, let it sit and wipe it off about 10 times before it pulled the die out of the leather. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Try Goof-Off - it got it off my walls!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I removed a blue ballpoint pen mark off of my grey leather car seats with a product called Amodex! It didn't disappear immediately but the next day it was gone! I purchased it at Office Max and it claims to also remove permanent markers and lots more. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.G.

answers from Bakersfield on

Rubbing alcohol gets permanent marker off carpet, but I'm not sure about leather seats. Also, if it's red, it will be particularly difficult, but one I've been able to get out of carpet before with a mixture of half ammonia half water sprayed onto it, then putting a towel over the saturated area and ironing it up onto the towel (thanks to my dog who ate her food containing red dye #40 and getting sick later - ah, the joys).

1 mom found this helpful
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J.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I represent a company that has a product that I personally have used to remove Sharpie from hardwood, linoleum and marble. I have not tried it on leather, but my gut feeling is "no problem". It is a natural product that contains no carcinogens or toxins and is safe to use around people and pets, without toxic fumes. (I know, in this rainy season, your windows will be rolled up, you don't want toxins released and hanging out in your car). Contact me at www.SwitchingStores.info and I will get back to you.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Sacramento on

We got sharpie marker off our couch (fabric, not leather) with a product called grafitti remover. I was amazed at how easily it came off and it didn't take the color off our brand new couch. Not sure if it is safe on leather, but you may want to check it out. I think we got it at Lowe's or Home Depot.

1 mom found this helpful
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W.L.

answers from Sacramento on

I have the perfect product for you!! I had a permanent marker explode all over my hardwood floors and this product wiped it up immediatly! Not only that but it is safe and multi-purpose. You will LOVE it!!

ENGAGE ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
Our safe and effective highly concentrated, industrial strength multi-purpose household cleaner is just the right tool to quickly remove grease, oil, wax, tar, dirt, finger nail polish, permanent marker, ink, lipstick and more. It cleans any washable surface and is excellent as a laundry pre-wash. Engage All Purpose Cleaner is biodegradable, non-abrasive, and non-flammable. 22 FL OZ
http://recipe.jerkydirect.com/?page=prod&ID=153&p...

1 mom found this helpful
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A.T.

answers from Stockton on

Try Va$eline on a Q-tip - "draw" along the line with a big glob of it on the Q-tip - gently.
Rubbing Alchohol might work - but it will bleach the leather too.
A good leather cleaner/conditioner might help too.
Throw away all the $harpie penz until Kiddo goez to college.
My $on broke the "$" key off - zorry for the weird $pelling.
DO NOT UZE THE GOOF OFF, AMONIA OR ANYTHING ELZE THAT HAR$H!!!
I $old leather furniture for 10 yearz, leather iz $kin - if you wouldn't put it on your bare arm - don't put it on the car $eat!! The type of leather in your car iz very proce$$ed and protected with a coating - but you can $till hurt it - dry it out and make it crack and $plit with a chemical like ammonia.

1 mom found this helpful
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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

I used nail polish remover to get the sharpie off a dresser we have. I would try it in a not so visible place if you do. We also had to let it sit there for a few seconds and then rubbed it back and forth. It took the top coat off the dresser with it, but sand paper fixed that right up.

W.

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T.W.

answers from San Francisco on

We had that happen when my 7 year old boy was about 2 and his cousin was about 3 and they found a sharpie in my brother-in-laws car and colored over the whole car, seats, roof, doors, everything, it's amazing how fast kids can be. I just asked my husband what we had used and he thinks we used acetone, we removed 90% of it out of their car. Our seats were not leather though so I would try it in an inconspicuous spot first. Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from Yuba City on

First, at least it is BLACK on BLACK, and it belongs to you. My daughter did black stars on a friend's antique gold brocade love seat (20 yrs ago).
Second, how old is the leather and is it regularly conditioned?
If new, check with the manufacturer/dealer. New leather is handled differently if you follow dealer rule..
If not new, but conditioned, try a cleaner/conditioner.
Also, check with a good detail place. The last used Jeep I bought (charcoal leather) had red white and blue plasticy stuff all over the back leather seat, like a bag melted in the sun. I do not know how the dealer cleaned it off but they did before I bought it! Leather (conditioned) is very resilient. You should only have to watch out for GREASE and mustard. Kids and sharpies are a dangerous combo.
This too will pass, Mom, promise.
But honey, I think you may be stuck with the circles.
I love leather seats! But I hate to condition them, takes mucho girl power. Good luck!

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S.E.

answers from San Francisco on

G.,

Sorry to hear about the seats. Kids will be kids. It's amazing what they reach when they want to.

I had Sharpie on my white board and used something with alcohol. Anything with alcohol should work; I did a google search and came up with alcohol for leather as well. Lot so people said bug spray, body spray, etc. but the base of all the suggestions is alcohol. They also said to work quickly because it could lighten the color of the seats.

I liked the advice to take it to the shop for advise.
Stephanie

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Dear G.,
Oh, the joys of having creative children.
If I were you, I would call an auto detailing place or the dealership for your kind of car. They know all the tricks of the trade when it comes to things like this. They should be able to tell you what you can safely use without harming the leather.

Good luck!

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D.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Try WD-40. It gets off almost everything and is safer than alcohol or other stuff that might just dry it out...just try a test spot and then take off the rest...Hope it works...My aunt uses it on everything and sent me this big long list of theings to use it for and taking off marker from painted walls was one of them and it worked!!!!!!!...it is also safe to use on leather supposedly because it is just fish oil...just be sure to cleanse with mild soap and water after the other stuff comes off.

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J.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Youch! My husband says if it's real leather to use Goof Off. Put it on and wipe it off. I've used that to get gum out of clothes etc., but when I mentioned this request he said goof off. He said to test it on an inconspicuous spot first. It looks like you have lots of suggestions, so I sure hope something works!!!!!! Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Redding on

Hi G.

I work for a wellness company that has a product called
Sol-U-Mel, it gets stains out of just about anything. Ink,& marker, crayon, pet messes, nail polish, tar, grease, paint, mold, glues& residues, gum, tree sap, candle wax, and so much more. I have even heard that it took graphti off of a car! It is eco friendly & naturally dervived. You can only get it through my company. If you are interested email me and i would be happy to share more info and other great safe cleaning products with you. MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

S. Moynihan
Proud Member of The Stayin Home & Lovin It! Team
____@____.com
www.stayinhomeandlovinit.com/lovebeinghome
www.saferisbetter.com/lovebeinghome

Enhancing the lives of those we touch by helping people reach their goals

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J.F.

answers from San Francisco on

G. -

This hasn't happened to me yet but I've heard from other Gymboree franchisees that have had this problem with Sharpie markers on their mats. Some have said that if you use hair spray on it, the ink will come off. You might try that in a small space and see if it works. Good luck!

J. Freeman
Gymboree

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C.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Have you tried goo gone? I think that this is safe for leather. It took red sharpie off of my kitchen vinel floor. Also good old cheep Aquanet hair spray. Just spray it on and whipe it off. It may take a few times but should do the trick. I have done this on my clothes for ink. Or rubbing alchol or fingernail polish remover. If all else failes you might just need to have it professionally cleaned. Don't forget to test clean in an area that is not visible to see if it causes any discoloration!

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D.R.

answers from Fresno on

If your seat is black and the marker is black, how can you see the marker. You wouldn't be able to get it off since it is leather. If you use anything harsh, it can mess up your leather. Sorry that it happened and maybe next time make sure the markers are put away up high where your son doesn't know where it is stored. I've kept my black sharpie permanent marker up high and never had any problems and I have 3 boys.

Sorry!

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B.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Rubbing alcohol or hairspray! Try a small test spot and you should be fine.

Good luck,
B.

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E.V.

answers from San Francisco on

I have gotten many odd things off of the leather seats (not suede) in my car with a magic eraser. Haven't tried sharpie yet, but I am sure I will at some point!

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Sorry I don't have any advice, but...please let us know what works for you. I have the same problem on my leather sofa. I have left it alone because I am concerned that anything I put on it may damage the leather. Wd-40 sounds like a good idea...L.

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C.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I would try to call the Sharpie manufacturer and ask them what they suggest.
Good luck!

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I've gotten Sharpie marker off things with rubbing alcohol. If you try it, try a really small spot, maybe with a q-tip, and have leather cleaner and restorer ready to go over the spot immediately afterward. Not sure what rubbing alcohol does to leather. Depending on the color of the seats, it might take some color off. If they're light, it might be better. And like the other post said, sooner is better.

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B.R.

answers from Bakersfield on

Fingernail polish remover takes off sharpie, but not sure how it would do on leather. Maybe you could try it in a small spot and if it turns out ok do the rest of it. Good luck!

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