Remove Ball Point Pen Ink from Vinyl Seat?

[JimFromMD]

So I guess one of the mechanics that worked on my boat had a blue pen in his back pocket, and now I have 4 spots of ink on my white seat... Trying to find the miracle remover that won't kill the vinyl.

So far I've tried:
Serious Shine
Vinyl cleaner/protectant
Magic Eraser
WD40
Spray Nine

Considering trying this, but concerned about using it on the vinyl. They do say its good for seat cushions... But...
http://www.goofoffstainremover.com/wheres-your-stain/boat-stains


Any other ideas?

 

[IanBat]

There was a thread a few weeks ago, about the best cleaner ever


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[JimFromMD]

There was a thread a few weeks ago, about the best cleaner ever


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Bill donated his tub to me. Didnt have it with me Sunday, but that's on the list to try this weekend too.

 

[Bucit]

Bill donated his tub to me. Didnt have it with me Sunday, but that's on the list to try this weekend too.

The cleaner in the tub won't touch it. I bet bleach/soft scrub is the way to go but don't forget to use the 303 afterwards.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Naptha would be safe to try - Goof Off should be fine, although I've never tried it. With these, dab the spot for a few seconds at a time - don't just "wipe" it. You could use Acetone, but you have to be VERY careful - if you haven't done this in the past, it's probably best to avoid the learning curve on your own boat...

You could try ammonia or diluted solution of bleach (4:1) on a WHITE rag. Dampen the rag and let it sit on the area for a few minutes. Avoid the seat's stitching.

In the end, it may have been in there too long and short of spot-dyeing you may not get it out.

 

[JimFromMD]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Open to any others. I plan to try whatever I use on some out of the way vinyl before going after the seat, but was starting to run out of 'guesses' for what to use. Lucikly since it's white, I may be able to bleach or dye it as a last resort... but yes... 303/vinyl conditioner is critical after any effort.

 

[Alegria]

Hairspray I've been told will remove it. No personal experience though.

 

[The Sandbar]

Hairspray I've been told will remove it. No personal experience though.

Yep heard the same thing. I think my mom learned that trick when I was a kid.

 

[carterchapman]

Jim,

Tried all those things as well. Goof Off will eat the outer coat of the vinyl. When I had it happen to me, butter was suggested (put some on, leave it in the sun and the salt will leach it out) - glad Sue didn't have unsalted butter!

Turned out sun and a little time bleached it right out...and no, I didn't "butter up" my vinyl!

 

[Bugsy24]

Jim,

Tried all those things as well. Goof Off will eat the outer coat of the vinyl. When I had it happen to me, butter was suggested (put some on, leave it in the sun and the salt will leach it out) - glad Sue didn't have unsalted butter!

Turned out sun and a little time bleached it right out...and no, I didn't "butter up" my vinyl!

You Crazy Airdales!!

 

[skolbe]

Goof Off melted the center console in my wife's car. I got some cleaner from a Ford dealership that did get it out. Also hair spray works with clothes.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Sounds like Goof Off might behave like acetone does if left in contact for more than a fleeting second. Put that one down on the "last resort" list like acetone... And not till you practice somewhere else!

Check out SEM vinyl paint - they might have something that matches - or at least close enough for such a small area. FYI, you can get Naptha at Home Depot.

 

[JimFromMD]

Jim,

Butter was suggested (put some on, leave it in the sun and the salt will leach it out) - glad Sue didn't have unsalted butter!

Turned out sun and a little time bleached it right out...and no, I didn't "butter up" my vinyl!

So basically you are saying... Use butter or my vinyl will be toast?

Actually... are you saying that the butter helped get it out... or really just the sun faded it over time?

 

[JimFromMD]

Sounds like Goof Off might behave like acetone does if left in contact for more than a fleeting second. Put that one down on the "last resort" list like acetone... And not till you practice somewhere else!

Check out SEM vinyl paint - they might have something that matches - or at least close enough for such a small area. FYI, you can get Naptha at Home Depot.

Agree. Goof off would be a last ditch attempt. Hoping to try some of the other suggestions first and then decide what to do... or just leave it alone and let the sun fade it.

 

[Hoo'sdave]

acne treatment
I have use several times.Put it on and leave it on for a couple of hot days.

 

[EarmarkMarine]

The UV from direct sunlight will absolutley bleach out the ink over time without using anything else. The blue dye from jeans can also leave a stain that the sun will erase given some time. So there is no need to risk the vinyl with an aggressive solvent.

David
Earmark Marine

 

[Ray 40]

I used 'neosporin' from my medicine chest. Rubbed it in with a soft cloth and rubbed until gone.

 

[JimFromMD]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Amazingly after coming home after the weeeknd and talking to everyone here, when I went back the following weekend, the ink had dissapeared with the sun. My efforts lightened it, but I never expected it to be completely gone when I went back. Hopefully I didnt do any significant damage in trying all my products. I guess I'll just keep hitting it with vinyl cleaner/restorer for the foreseeable future.

James