Since the weather got nice I've been parking the truck in my driveway, leaving more garage space for bikes and crap. Well last night some punk took a black marker and wrote on one tail-light and then then dragged a line accross the tailgate to the other light. They also somehow managed to snap the plastic brackets on the back of the tail-light so it has to be replaced. I am mad and sad, but most of all very disappointed that someone in my friendly little town would do this.<br><br>P.S. Know any methods of removing permanent marker without damaging the automotive paint/clearcoat?

 

Start with Laquer thinner. If that doesn't work, take a light rubbing compound. Follow either with a good polish and wax. Should take it right off. <br><br>Randy Jones

 

I agree with Randy. Lacquer thinners is potent stuff so only do a small area at a time and don't let it sit on the paint too long. Have a clean wipe handy to wipe it off and don't put so much on that it runs.

 

I'd try a Cleaner/wax first.
I had a punk do a magic marker across the plexiglass windshield of my Harley. (either real brave :, or real stupid ) a little Meguires cleaner/wax.....good as new.

Meguires also makes a plexi-glass polish for windshields and visors.

 

[quote author=dealseeker link=board=17;threadid=16124;start=0#151427 date=1056085179]
Since the weather got nice I've been parking the truck in my driveway, leaving more garage space for bikes and crap. Well last night some punk took a black marker and wrote on one tail-light and then then dragged a line accross the tailgate to the other light. They also somehow managed to snap the plastic brackets on the back of the tail-light so it has to be replaced. I am mad and sad, but most of all very disappointed that someone in my friendly little town would do this.

P.S. Know any methods of removing permanent marker without damaging the automotive paint/clearcoat?
[/quote]

Don't know if this will work on a tail light or not....but try coloring over it again with a dry erase marker and then see if you can wipe it off. Works like a charm on dry erase boards...but it may not on tail lights and paint.

I don't know why people insist on doing stuff like this.... :

 

Forgot to mention. Be very careful about using lacquer thinners on plastic. It eats some plastics. In fact, lacquer thinners makes a great plastic &quot;glue&quot; for some plastics. Test a small area. If it melts the plastic then carefully put some on the broken surface and quickly stick them together. In many cases this works better than glue. It just depends on the type of plastic.

 

First try a cleaner/wax. If that doesn't work, try PPG's paint prep product - can't remember the exact PPG name, but it's generic name is &quot;prep-sol&quot;. A body shop may be able to buff out the paint as a last resort. Lacquer thinner is the last thing I would try on some of these new &quot;high-tech&quot; finishes.<br><br>Hope you can get it off!

 

Actually Laquer Thinner is very safe on modern urethane finishes. I would always try chemical before mechanical means to remove paint damage. Mechanical means, such as an agressive rubbing compound will actually remove some of the clear. <br>Although I'm a big fan of Meguiars products, I tend to stay away from cleaner/waxes, any compound trying to do more than 1 thing is likely not the best at either. I would bet the thinner would take the marker right off, then simply apply a little polish, the finish with a good wax. Always start with a small amount in a small area, no matter what you're using. <br>As for the plastic taillight, the thinner could do some damage to the plastic, but I thought it was broken and needed to be replaced anyway. <br>If you have a good detail shop in your area, you might want to talk to them first. There's a nationwide organization call Detail Masters that could give you some good information. They have an office in San Antonio, TX (as well as many other major metropolitian areas - SA just happens to be the only one I know of off hand) that you could call.<br>Good luck<br>Randy

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=17;threadid=16124;start=0#151493 date=1056113524]Don't know if this will work on a tail light or not....but try coloring over it again with a dry erase marker and then see if you can wipe it off. Works like a charm on dry erase boards...but it may not on tail lights and paint. [/quote]

Disregard this. I just tried it on my truck and I now have a blue spot on the side. Anyone know how to get black permanent marker AND blue dry erase marker off of the paint?? :

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=17;threadid=16124;start=0#151583 date=1056131985]
[quote author=Hoss link=board=17;threadid=16124;start=0#151493 date=1056113524]
Anyone know how to get black permanent marker AND blue dry erase marker off of the paint?? :
[/quote]


You could try lacquer thinners [/quote]

 

Gentlemen -<br><br>Try contact cleaner from a auto parts store..will take it right off and won't hurt a thing..I use it on motorcycle finishes all the time..

 

WD-40??<br><br>Works on just about everything else<br>(including decal glue)<br><br><br>phox

 

Dealseeker, I have had more cars vandelized than I can remember, because we have take-home police cars. I've had everything from windows shot out to lightbars stolen. I even had someone torch one (brand new 400 mile Caprice) all the way to the down to the frame. Total loss. I remember that someone wrote gang stuff on the trunk one day. I was at the gas pumps and squirted a little unleaded on it and it wiped right off. I saved me from having to fill out a report which made me very happy . I don't know if this will work, but like everyone said if you try it on a small spot you can find out. Don't feel too bad my boy ran into the side of my pickup the second week I had it with his bicycle. It dented and scrached the driver's door. My two boys had concockted a story about how when I was driving a rock must have done it. After I gave the boys that look they came clean and told me how it happened. I finally took it to the dealer and just had them fix it as everytime I looked at my truck the scatched jumped out at me. My point is I know how you feel about your pickup getting damaged. Sorry the post is so long, but I feel your pain.

 

I just remembered another producted. I think it is called &quot;Goof Off.&quot; it is made to remove marker. I bought some at the hardware store, but I didn't try it on a car so I don't know how friendly it is to paint. I hope that something you try works.

 

I use WD-40 to get magic marker off of and glass frequently. I would also try goop or one of those other hand cleaners. WD-40 makes a really amazing cleaner.