How To Erase A Permanent Mistake Part III: The Last Resort

All Else Has Failed….

In my previous posts, I offered some easy methods to get that pesky permanent marker off your dry erase board.  You’ve tried a dry erase marker.  You went and bought some plain toothpaste and brushed your board more than any dentist would recommend.

By the time you’ve exhausted the methods mentioned above, it might be better to just leave the mark there, or it might just be time to buy a new dry erase board! 

Try these at your own risk

All kidding aside, here are a few unconventional methods I found that might work.  Pesky marks, made with permanent ink or from heavy use, can be really difficult to remove.  This is why Stonehouse offers a porcelain steel surface for all our custom dry erase boards- every board is scratch, stain and ghosting resistant and is designed to withstand heavy usage for a very long time. 

But even the surface on our boards might not stand up to some of these alternatives, which could result in permanent damage to the surface of your dry erase board.  Keep in mind that once you damage the surface, even the best dry-erase marker may begin leaving a ghost image.

If you are ready to take the risk, here are a few last-ditch methods you can try:

1. 99% or 90% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (The more common 70% does not work)- this is one of the most popular alternatives.  Wipe the board and tray clean and free of marker dust, then use a soft cloth wet with rubbing alcohol.  Be sure to try a small section before applying it to an entire board.  Once the marker has been removed, wipe the board until it is dry, and then buff it with another clean, soft cloth.
    
2. Vinegar and water- Is there anything vinegar can’t do?  Use equal parts of both applied with a cloth, and then dry and clean the board with another cloth.
    
3. Hairspray- Spray a film of hairspray and let it soak in for a couple of minutes, then clean off with a paper towel or cloth.  There might be some sticky residue that can be removed using soap and water.
    
4. Ordinary car wax- Use the clear stuff for this task.  Apply the wax with the supplied applicator in circular motions and then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
    
5. Artist Eraser- An artist’s eraser works well (the specifics weren’t given, but the ‘kneaded eraser’ seems like the logical choice), but if you rub too hard, you’ll remove the finish.
    
6. Nail Polish Remover/Acetone- This method should be your absolute last resort.  If nothing else works, using either one of these will take off super-resistant marks (and the finish on your board).

Source: Wikihow

I hope that you have successfully removed the permanent marker from your dry erase board.  Do you have any suggestions that worked for you that were not covered here?  Let me know!