Markers can not only create clutter, but also damage wood surfaces. The indelible marker contains ink, solvent and resin. It is these components that make it indelible. The choice of how to remove the permanent marker from wood will depend on the finish. Perhaps you already have a product on the farm that can remove this nasty stain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Removing permanent marker from treated or painted wood
Step 1. Take a regular toothpaste
You need regular white toothpaste. Neither gel, nor whitening paste, nor any other product with abrasive crystals. Traditional toothpaste will handle the marker without harming the wood.
Rubbing alcohol or peanut butter can be used to remove traces of the marker, but toothpaste is much more effective in this sense
Step 2. Turn the product over with the painted side up
Make sure the stain is in an easily accessible place and not on a slope so that the toothpaste does not drip down the surface as it is removed.
Step 3. Squeeze enough toothpaste onto the wooden surface
Marker marks should be covered with a thick layer of toothpaste. If you run out of toothpaste, you can apply more later.
Step 4. Moisten a rag
Take a clean rag and dampen it under running water. The water temperature doesn't matter. When the rag is completely wet, squeeze out the excess water to keep it damp but not wet.
Step 5. Start rubbing in the toothpaste
Start rubbing the toothpaste into the markers in a circular motion. Do this for three to five minutes, or until most of the marker is gone.
- Apply enough force to absorb the toothpaste into the stain without damaging the finish of the wood.
- Add more toothpaste if the rag doesn't move freely over the entire surface of the stain.
Step 6. Wipe off any remaining toothpaste
Use a damp hoe to wipe off any remaining toothpaste on the wood. Rub in the direction of the grain of the wood, not against it. When the wood is dry, there should be no toothpaste residue on it.
Step 7. Remove the workplace
Marker marks should disappear. The only thing left for you is to clean up the workplace. Remove the toothpaste, put the rag in the wash, and put the wood back in place if you carried it.
Step 8. Add baking soda if there are still markers on the surface
Repeat the entire process again, but this time mix one part baking soda with one part toothpaste. The resulting mixture will be more abrasive, so rub it into the wood with extreme care.
If the baking soda doesn't work, repeat the process using rubbing alcohol or peanut butter. Before moving on to cleaning, be sure to wipe off any residual alcohol or peanut butter with a damp washcloth, then let it dry
Method 2 of 3: Removing erasable marker from treated or painted wood
Step 1. Take everything you need
It will be much easier for you to remove traces of the marker if you prepare all the necessary tools and accessories before starting. You will need:
- Mild abrasive cleaner or enzymatic cleaner. You can get them at any hypermarket and most supermarkets.
- Rubbing alcohol. You can also get it in most supermarkets and hypermarkets.
- A damp cloth. Dampen a clean cloth under running water and squeeze out excess water.
Step 2. Rotate the product so that it is easier for you to get to the painted side
Make sure the stain is face up so that the cleaner does not run down the surface as it is removed.
Step 3. Spray an abrasive or enzymatic cleaner over the wood surface
The stain should be completely covered. Leave the cleaner on the wood for two to three minutes.
Step 4. Wipe off the marks of the marker with a damp cloth
Rub in a circular motion until the stain is removed. This may take several minutes. Wipe off any remaining cleaner from the wood with the clean side of a damp cloth.
Step 5. Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol
If the stain remains even after the cleaner, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the scratched area several times with a rag soaked in alcohol and then rinse with water.
Method 3 of 3: Removing the marker from unfinished wood
Step 1. Wipe the marks from the marker with baby wipes
To get started, try rubbing a piece of wood that has been painted with a marker with baby wipes. Rub the tree in the direction of the grain growth, not against it. The rubbing alcohol in baby wipes should remove most of the marker marks.
Step 2. Sand the area with P80 grit sandpaper
First sand the painted area with P80 grit sandpaper. This should remove most of the stain, but leave a rough mark on the wood. Move along the fibers, not against them.
Step 3. Sand the area with P100 grit sandpaper
Sand the same area with P100 grit paper until the stain is completely gone. Again, move along the fibers, not against them. This should flatten the area and level it with the rest of the wood.
Step 4. Paint or varnish the wood
Painting and finishing will protect the wood from future damage. You can buy wood stain at any hardware store or hypermarket.
Advice
- If you can't find toothpaste, try using baby wipes, hand sanitizer, or hairspray and wipe it off right away. The alcohol in these foods can bring out the marker. Do not leave the product on the wood for too long, or it may damage the finish.
- If sanding one area has changed the texture of the surface, consider sanding the entire surface of the wood. This will make it look more even.