Removing Ball Point Pen Marks on Boat Seat Vinyl, What Works ?

[RichardDoane]

The only downside of my MC promo boat going to the Regionals, any recommendations on removing ink marks ?  I'll be ordering a new seat skin for the next owner, but want to get it out as much as possible.

[eleeski]

I purposely did that so you would have to cut the price on the boat for me!

Now drill that hole in the bottom!

Eric

[A_B]

 

 Rubbing alcohol works pretty good on ink, let it soak a little.  Fantastic also seems to work on an lot of different stuff, let it soak a little too. 

Put Formula 303 on it to seal it back up.

 

 

[Thomas Wayne]

Don't  know if it will work on ballpoint pen, but permanent ink (such as from a Sharpie or other permanent marker) can be removed - believe it or not - by heavily marking over it with a Dry Erase Marker and then wiping the combination off.  Apparently the solvent in the DEM drives the "permanent" ink into solution and then everything wipes away cleanly.

If you try this on the ballpoint ink be sure to test it first on an unimportant area of vinyl.... like someone else's boat.

TW

[Jim]

Hair spray. Will take it right off, test first on the underside of a seat to make sure you don't get an unwanted reaction with the vinyl. I had this happen a few years ago, used cheapo hairspray and the dang pen marks wiped right off. No marks, no discoloration of the vinyl, just like it never happened.

[A_B]

 

 

WD40 spray usually cleans about anything too.

I would definetley test the hair spray to make sure it doesn't mess up the vinyl, the alcohol in the spray is what cuts the ink, the other crap in the spray could react and take off the sheen.

Give us some feedback on what worked.

 Thanks

[clemsondave]

Sounds like good advice. Then tell the damn judges to keep the pens out of your boat and use pencils!

[LeonL]

Last year at the Nationals all boat judges were admonished not (at least I was for two different events) NOT to bring ball points into the boats. Kinda commons sense, as it's hard sometimes to juggle radios, clipboards, ropes and writing utensils.

[FA]

Any way to remove Mildew from the seats?

[RichardDoane]

tried hairspray this morning, didn't do much.  Zep upholstery cleaning wipes took off most of the extra ink, but leave behind the line.  Just ordered a new cushion skin from Rambo, and will pass the savings on to the Regional LOC.  Could have been prevented by the purchase of a dozen mechanical pencils for the judges to use all week.  Other than that, my MC was #1 all week, and I take it as a compliment that it was used to pull the Men5 slalom group.  I've got some good pictures, plus one of Dave Goode in his "Mr. Clean" speed suit and will post.

[jlittle]

Richard, try the Mr Clean product Magic Eraser.  It has removed quite a few things for me I didn't think it would.

[h2odawg79]

Might even try calling a couple pen co.'s and talk to the customer service or  "tech. support" for the co.

Try a couple local auto detailer's for some advice. 

From Google:

Apply (do not rub) a solvent type cleaner by blotting it onto stain with a clean, white terrycloth washcloth. This type of cleaner should lift up the stain. By loosening stain and immediately blotting it up, the stain should not spread.

1. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Hair Spray, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
2. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously.
3. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Nail Polish Remover or Acetone, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
4. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Spirits of Turpentine, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
5. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Afta® or Carbona®, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
6. If one solvent cleaner does not adequately solve the problem, move down to the next in the order these cleaners are given. NEVER apply solvents directly onto surface.

Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/ballpointink#ixzz0utyPAC00
 

[clemsondave]

This might not take off ink, but I've been impressed with Exquisite vinyl cleaner. It's only sold on ebay. Comes with a brush. I've used all the big cleaners and this will still take off more after I'm done with those.

[LeonL]

I just recalled that a friend's young son marked up his Nautique with a Sharpie.  After cleaning with various agents there was still a line.  After 6-8 weeks it just faded away.

[Thomas Wayne]

"I just recalled that a friend's young son marked up his Nautique with aSharpie.  After cleaning with various agents there was still a line. After 6-8 weeks it just faded away."

So that would have been well after the ass beating?

TW

[Horton]

I always have a can of "3M Bug and Tar Remover" in the shop. I think it will even remove tatoos

[jwr]

I second the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  I keep one in my boat all the time.  Cleans upholstery very well, there is nothing it hasn't gotten rid of.  It is also very good and removing small scracthes on the gel coat. 

[dave2ball]

Try magic eraser by Mr clean it works wonders.