Removing marker from a crystal face

Hi eveyone,

I bought an enhydro quartz crystal that a seller has marked with black marker to indicate where the water is . . . and now I can't remove it, even though they assured me it would go off easily. I tried alcohol and acetone. Adam in the mindat. chatroom tried the Goof Off marker removal for me a few minutes ago--did not work.

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

If acetone didn't work this may not either but it can't hurt - try hairspray, the aerosol kind usually has solvents of some type. I use it to remove ink from fabrics and other non-varnished surfaces all the time.

regards,
stephanie :))

Try a stronger solvent than the acetone such as mineral turpentine or nail polish remover.

Cheers Trev

Nail polish remover was traditionally acetone, some new safer versions contain none.

Epoxy remover can sometimes work when all else fails. You may have to do repeated treatments. Just watch out, the stuff is very irritating.

Gene

SandyW Wrote:
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Adam in the mindat chatroom tried the Goof Off marker removal for me a few minutes ago--did not work...


Hi Sandy,

Have you tried the goof-off that is not specifically for marker removal (ie: plain old,all purpose, goof off)? Also, lighter fluid (the kind for your zippo not your barbeque) or kerosene might get the job done.

good luck...

Russ

Hello all i have found to get off rid of any markings made by marker pens use methylated spirits (alcohol) would be available in any supermarket or hardware store easy and simple to use just pour some on a tissue and gently rub over the markings you might have to to use several applications to get rid off all the markings easy to see if it comes of just look at the tissue should turn the color of the marker used this will tell you it comes off
regards

Ronsonol (as Russ mentioned - zippo fluid) or a gentle scrub with a mild abrasive such as Comet. One or the other has worked for me against Sharpie pen ink on many different surfaces. Not sure what the de facto marking pen/ink is around the world but sharpies seem pretty ubiquitous here in the US.

Nail polish remover usually contains ethyl-ethanoate and not acetone (propanone). It tends to be a better solvent for inks and paints. I also agree with good old metholated spirits as I have used it with success to remove ball point pen ink and marker pen ink off the plastic cases of our computers at the school where I teach.

If you work in an office with whiteboards, and someone has used a permanent marker, you go over the permanent writing with a standard whiteboard marker and it will wipe off effortlessly.

Regards
Steve

I have always found warm water, dishcloth & washing up liquid does the job, occasionally there have been stubborn remnants that I've removed with my fingernails.

Hi
It sounds as if you have tried to remove but you did not indicate whether you were successful to any extent if at all or not at all. If you were only partially successful, for example by rubbing a solvent across and some black marker remains, it may simply indicate that the black marker remains embedded in micro grooves on the xl face.

I'd try a light soaking of the xl face in eucalyptus oil - be patient

Cheers

Keith