How to Remove Marker from Wood

Permanent marker contains ink, solvent and resin. It is waterproof and hard to remove from surfaces once it sets. The method you choose to remove permanent marker from wood will depend upon the finishing treatment on the wood. Several household items, such as toothpaste and baby wipes, have a good reputation for removing marker on wood furniture and paneling.

Steps

Removing Marker From Finished Wood

1. Purchase a tube of regular toothpaste. Don’t choose anything that is a gel, has whitening or has abrasive crystals in it. Traditional white paste will do the trick without damaging the wood.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Turn the piece of wood so that the marked surface is facing up. Squeeze a liberal amount of toothpaste onto the surface of the wood.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Wet a rag. Squeeze it to remove excess water. Rub the surface of the wood in a circular motion.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Add more toothpaste if the rag doesn’t move freely over the entire surface of the marker stain.
   
   
   
   


4. Scrub in a circular motion for three to five minutes. Rinse your rag and wipe off the excess toothpaste. Repeat until all the toothpaste is removed.^[1]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


5. Survey the table. Repeat the process if there is some remaining marker.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


6. Increase the power of the toothpaste by adding one part baking soda to one part toothpaste. Repeat the process. Beware that this is more abrasive and can take off some of the finish.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Removing Marker From Unfinished Wood

1. Use a baby wipe. Rub on the area with the grain. The alcohol in the baby wipe may remove most of the marker stain.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Sand down the area with 80-grit sandpaper. Work with the grain and continue until the marker is no longer noticeable.^[2]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Repeat with a fine 100-grit sandpaper to finish the surface.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. Consider sanding the entire surface of the wood, if sanding changed the surface. It will result in a more uniform look.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


5. Stain or treat the wood with oil. Now that you have exposed new wood, you can finish the wood and it will darken the surface evenly.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tips

• If you can’t find toothpaste, try using baby wipes, a squirt of hand sanitizer or hair spray, then wipe immediately. The alcohol in these products may remove the marker. Don’t let it sit too long, or it can ruin the finish.

Things You'll Need

• Toothpaste


• Baking soda


• Cloth


• Water


• Baby wipes


• 80-grit sandpaper


• 100-grit sandpaper

Sources and Citations

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from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/1qqZoO4

via Peter