Sharpie Marks

A

ASBOB

Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
1,304
I've been using a Sharpie to check my angles for sharpening.

Afterwards, how do you get the darn marks off?

My thanks.
 
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) will take it right off. Just wet a Q-tip or tissue, and wipe it off. I'm betting there are other ways, but that's how I clean it up. :)
 
Denatured alcohol (SLX, from the hardware store) is what I use. Takes the marker right off, one wipe. Gun scrubber or Hoppes works just fine too. :D
 
Isopropyl alcohol will remove it. Usually your metal polish will take it off too if you are going to clean it up anyway.
 
The wide variety of responses here made me look up some info on Sharpies. It's based almost entirely on alcohol-based solvents (aside from the pigment itself), so it makes sense that solvents will remove it. There's also mention of using it on highly polished surfaces (like polished metal & glass), and how it can even be scrubbed off of those using just water. I've occasionally seen the Sharpie ink come off of my knife blades, when using water as lubricant for sharpening.

Here's some info as listed on Wiki:
(Quoted text below, referenced from --->: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpie_(marker)#Removal_and_safety )
"Though Sharpie ink will become permanent after setting, it can be easily erased for several hours after writing on many glossy (non-porous) surfaces, most readily smooth metal and glass. On mirror glass, simply soaking a cloth in water and rubbing it hard on the Sharpie ink will remove the ink. Since the ink is based on propanol, butanol, and diacetone alcohols, it can be removed from almost all non-porous surfaces using denatured alcohol. WD-40 will work moderately well on recent markings if alcohol is not available.

Sharpie ink that has dried for more than several hours can be removed with acetone and other ketones and esters, such as ethyl acetate, but acetone and other organic solvents may damage the surface of a material. On some surfaces, the ink can be removed by coloring over the ink with a dry erase marker (since this marker's ink contains organic solvents) and then removing the Sharpie ink and dry erase marker ink with a dry cloth. Steam cleaning has proved effective, as have rubber erasers. Magic Eraser has also proven somewhat effective on hard surfaces such as brick and very effective on wood furniture."
Click to expand...

"Some products have been reported to be able to remove this product from the skin, such as rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, nail polish remover, facial cleaning pads, toothpaste, and even deodorant.[7] Tabasco sauce or any vinegar based product is also particularly effective at removing the ink from skin. However, the ink wears off on its own within approximately two days as the ink is on skin cells that are constantly being shed. Organic solvents such as acetone and ethyl acetate are very effective at removing Sharpie ink.
Click to expand...
 
You got a lot of really good info answering your question. I will add a slightly different bit of input.
The sharpie "Ticks" I use three (3) one towards the tip, one in the middle and one back by the choil. Being as the purpose of the mark is to ensure you are achieving material removal all the way to the apex of the edge - the tick mark need only be very very small and the material removal will in fact remove the mark (no need for any solvent) under magnification is when you will be able to see with certainty that the mark(s) are indeed gone and by default so is the blade material needed to have an edge ready for the next step in the sharpening process.
Happy Sharpening!:thumbup:
 
I just use a dry-erase marker meant for a white board. Works just as good and just wipes off when done.
 
I have been using the sharpie for years. IMO the red is easier to see then the black. If I use stones with water like the Edge Pro, water and a cloth removes the sharpie. Also alcohol serves two purposes. Cleans and sanitizes the blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top