How to Remove Permanent Marker from the Surface of Your Car

Wow, some people just have nothing better to do than be nasty. Whatever happened to writing on cars with bars of soap? At least then, you got it washed when you removed the words.

Permanent marker got that name for a reason. The inks were specially developed not to run when wet, or when a document becomes damp from spilled coffee, etc. It can be removed from other surfaces, but often requires things containing acetate that would ruin the finish of your car's paint job.

For what they're worth, these methods work on clothing, and may or may not have some success on the car. The least invasive or corrosive material is milk. When the ink is on a shirtsleeve or pocket, soaking it overnight in pure milk often lifts it right out. You should test just a small area first, and as always test any potential remover on a hidden spot where you can tell if the finish is affected or not. Take a white cotton cloth, soak it in milk, then lay it over the text. Lay a heavier terry or other type of cloth that has been soaked in water and wrung out, over top. This will ensure contact with the marks. Check after about four hours, and refresh the milk cloth. Try this overnight. It's possible you may lift it enough to rub it off with some soap afterwards.

The other substances used on clothes are rubbing alcohol and hairspray. Take a clean white cloth and apply either substance to it until wet. Dab at a small spot and see if you get any ink on the cloth. If you do, repeat the application and dabbing until it all comes off. But again, check a spot first. This is not something we get asked a lot, and have never tried it ourselves.