How can I remove permanent marker from car paint? I had some kid write on my white car with black permanent marker. I would also like to make sure there is no shadow left behind.
Christine from WVC, UT
I tried using a dry erase marker but found that spraying WD-40 on it first then dabbing nail polish remover on the rag and rubbing it off in little sections worked the best for me thank you for the suggestions.
By Christine (06/04/2007)
By Christine
I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it! Someone tagged my green car with black permanent marker. It sat in the sun for a full day. I tried a regular eraser and it worked a bit, but with lots of scrubbing and residue. THEN, I tried the dry erase marker. I traced over the permanent ink with the dry erase marker, let it sit for 5 seconds, then rubbed it off with one swipe of a cloth towel. Amazing! (06/05/2007)
By K
Methylated spirit on a cloth will rub it off easily, and not affect the paintwork underneath. (06/06/2007)
By Jo
I had a silver rental car that got marked with a permanent marker. I used the dry erase marker technique suggested by A.I., wiped off with a napkin and it worked perfectly. It was a green Avery marks-a-lot whiteboard marker. Thanks very much for the recommendation. (06/07/2007)
By N.D.
Try a dry-erase marker FIRST! I was skeptical at first but it worked instantly and no elbow grease required!! (07/16/2007)
By Doug
Thank you all indeed, my sky blue BMW was tagged with black Permanent Marker. After finding this site, I didn't look any further with so many consensus replies on the "Hairspray and Dry Eraser." I scribbled over the entire mess with dry eraser, a little at a time not in uniform pattern, and wiped away with hairspray, all gone. In some spots you may have to wait and go back over it, but it comes completely off with little muscle and time and NO damage to paint. Thank you all. (08/12/2007)
By Spice of Life
This works! I thought I was going to be out tons of money but then I found this forum. A little dry erase marker, hairspray, washcloth, and elbow grease was all it took. THANK YOU! (09/04/2007)
By Jack
Wow! Thank you so much! When I went to leave for work today I found that some idiot had written on the front of my gray car in black permanent marker. I just tried using the Mr. Clean magic eraser thing and it worked effortlessly. I would have never thought of that. Thanks again. (10/09/2007)
By Susan
If you want it to be EASY, grab a sponge and pour some NAIL POLISH REMOVER on the sponge, and wipe it gently or angrily, depending on how you feel, it will be like erasing writing on the white board. SO EASY! Nail Polish Remover is the master of all. (12/08/2007)
By Sexy Saechao
Wow! The dry erase marker really worked. I didn't have to scrub at all, and it took less than 5 min. (12/23/2007)
By dawn
Thanks for the help. I used toothpaste and a magic eraser with soap and water to rinse and they came right off without harming the finish. (12/27/2007)
By drag4cash@yahoo.com
Thank you to members of this forum. I had black marker graffiti written over the paint of my white Mercedes. I'm waiting for temps. to rise a bit outside, but I'm going to give the dry erase method a try. (01/12/2008)
By Frank
Tried WD-40 = After much rubbing, it made the test spot a little bit lighter.
Tried Greased Lightening = Sprayed onto marker area and before I had a chance to wipe it, the whole area looked factory new. Then I did a courtesy wipe, since I had the cloth in my hand. GREAT stuff. (01/12/2008)
By Dan Yeager
Thanks so much for this! Some awful people tagged something nasty on my SUV (I am a Mum - and driving around with that on it was horrendous!). I did a quick google and a dry eraser worked like a charm (my husband told me it wouldn't work!). Thank you, all you lovely people! (02/01/2008)
By Mel.
I had my silver BMW tagged on earlier this morning with what looked like a sharpie marker. I used nail polish remover and a soft cloth and it came off with little to no effort. Thanks to everyone on this website for the advice. (03/20/2008)
By Aaron
All it took was nail polish remover and a rag, and the marker came off easy. Thank you everyone! I was in a panic earlier. (05/16/2008)
By Nicole
We have a white van with a pearl finish. I used Acetone (nail polish remover) to remove the bulk of the permanent markings. Then Mr. Clean's Magic Sponge with toothpaste to rub away residue markings. Maybe 5 minutes of actual elbow grease. Worked like MAGIC! (06/06/2008)
By Fumed over vandals
My white VW van and one of my neighbor's VW vans has just been tagged with a thick marker pen. I used carb cleaner (alcohol in a can). It wiped off with ease and looks cleaner than before. I'm so happy it came off. (08/12/2008)
By Andy P
I found my car after half a day in the hot sun with writing on the hood and door. I tried the hairspray and it took some of the marker off, but then tried the Mr. Clean eraser. With a lot of scrubbing it all came off! Thanks to all for your help and tips! (08/15/2008)
By NM
I had permanent marker on the side of my Silver Honda. I used the dry erase marker, and then erased the remaining shadow with hairspray. Thanks for all the ideas! (08/24/2008)
By Kelli
I went out to my driveway this morning to find that my silver 1978 corvette had been tagged with a thick black permanent marker. As you can imagine, I was very mad. But I took carb cleaner to it and it wiped off without a problem. (09/03/2008)
By Steve
Some little turd tagged my bright blue focus this morning with black permanent texta. Found this website. Used the magic eraser, took about 30 seconds and it's gone! Absolutely no trace it was ever there! Thanks heaps guys! (09/03/2008)
By
After finding the tag, I went to the Honda Dealer recon area. The guy used shellac thinner to wipe off the tag then sprayed a solution, I think was an acrylic, over the spot. Looked normal again. Just remember karma works both ways. (09/20/2008)
By Steve
I looked out my kitchen window and saw that someone had tagged my work truck (Comcast) which is white. I used nail polish remover and it came right off. Took less than 5 minutes. I would recommend this to anyone. Did not have any direct sunlight for a long period of time. It was done less than 8 hrs before I noticed it. "NAIL POLISH REMOVER." Who would have thought of that? Great idea! (10/24/2008)
By Karim
I purchased Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove permanent marker off my vehicle and it worked in less than ten minutes. Saved me from having to pay insurance deductible. I was a little skeptical but it did the job. I appreciate all the advice from this site. I didn't know what to do. (11/05/2008)
By Kris
Careful with that nail polish remover folks, you could end up taking the paint off with it! I used Gumout carburetor cleaner. It took the Sharpie off in a jiffy with no damage. Just to be safe though, try it on an inconspicuous spot (like under the hood) first. (01/19/2009)
By Norm D.
Hairspray and elbow grease worked a treat. Thanks to all who left feedback. I thought I was going to die when I first saw the permanent marker that my 2 year old drew on the white car with. It's nice to know you can always find a fix on google. :o) (01/19/2009)
By willconn
Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover worked to remove permanent marker off clear-coat finish. (01/24/2009)
By tom/susan
I used rubbing compound and with a little elbow grease, it came right off. (02/09/2009)
By MP
Tagging. If I ever caught a punk doing this I'd wring his little neck. I wonder from reading this if the punks who tag are hired by the bandits who then want hundreds to repaint the car, when household products are sufficient.
My own favorite blend for getting marks off of auto paint: WD-40 and baking soda on a paper towel. (03/19/2009)
By Dan
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Just used the carb cleaner on a fresh tag with permanent marker. Worked quite well.
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