How to remove pen marks on plastic figures

how do you remove pen marks/marker ink on your vinyl figures? i got some used figures recently and some of them have marks on the belly. ive tried alcohol, acetone, paint thinner and none has worked.

That is a VERY, VERY good question

I tried everything too

some time just a pencil erasure works

I heard that sometimes toothpaste works too. I haven't tried it (it sounds weird) but supposedly it works. I do not know if it is a special type of toothpaste either though...

I have a similar problem with (probably permanent) felt-tip pen. My Schleich crocodile and iguana have someone's initials on their belly. I have tried almost everything. From toothpaste to nailpolish remover. ;__;

I agree. The problem is probably the permant markers. It is like it has seeped into the plastic

aw. then our defaced figures are hopeless.

The best solution is to tell yourself that it is charming. That they have a history and some child has loved them

Be careful with using acetone on plastic toys, it will eat away at it and cause damage. Have you tried Simple Green? (or Fairy Power Spray, as we call it in the UK) It's really good at removing paint and stains, it might work. It won't strip the factory paint though, and it's safe for plastics, so you're ok there.

thanks for that cool suggestion TQ. but what is it's product/generic name? is it some kind of cleaning agent? sorry not familiar with the brand.
(might have to buy that online tho)

milk, ,,put your animal into a glass of milk for 10 minutes.

SUSANNE wrote:

The best solution is to tell yourself that it is charming. That they have a history and some child has loved them

I have successfully removed permanent marker, ink stains, and some paint scuffs (where paint from another figure is rubbed off onto the one you are trying to clean) from figures using a regular "mr clean" magic eraser. I have used these magic erasers on carnegie figures and dino riders figures. I tried them once on an invicta and discovered it removes the stain but also any shine that is on the plastic's surface So yeah, they work great IMO, but don't use them on a shiny or glossy figure.
On a painted figure, it may also start to remove the paint itself but in such small amounts that it does not do any noticeable damage.

To be safest, always test the eraser on an inconspicuous area first, like the bottom of a foot.

thanks Seijun. will try that ASAP.

Does the eraser thing work well on say, Schleich figures? I am curious... :)

It probably would, it worked well on my carnegies. I don't own any schleich figures that ever needed cleaning.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Does the eraser thing work well on say, Schleich figures? I am curious... :)

Yes,it works great! But rub softly or your figure will light spots on it (Belive me,I know lol). :)

I have tried most of what you've tried.

Here are the things I've tried that worked:

1.  Acetone - but it might destroy the paint too;  happened with some of my Chap Mei figs, good thing the pen marks are under their feet.

2.  Goo Gone -  works also but destroyed a little of the coating of my Safari Komodo Dragon under the belly due to continous rubbing.

3.  70% Isopropyl Alc.  - works too;  I have two methods: a.  immersing the part with pen marks and
b. applying a soaked cotton on the marks, changing every 3-5 minutes.

BUT THE BEST SO FAR IS:  5% BENZOYL PEROXIDE by my experience

I learned this through a video on You Tube.  The female doll collector was using 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, but my wife bought a 5% 10ml one by mistake.   

All the pen marks that the other methods were not able to remove were removed by this method.  All I did was apply the Benzoly Peroxide on top of the marks and leave the figures under the sun for 4 hours.  

You have to repeat the process everyday to remove stubborn stains.  You can see the progress as the marks lighten day by day.  There is also a tendency for the paint to lighten as well, on some figures. 

docronnie wrote:

.....

BUT THE BEST SO FAR IS:  5% BENZOYL PEROXIDE by my experience

I learned this through a video on You Tube.  The female doll collector was using 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, but my wife bought a 5% 10ml one by mistake.   

All the pen marks that the other methods were not able to remove were removed by this method.  All I did was apply the Benzoly Peroxide on top of the marks and leave the figures under the sun for 4 hours.  

You have to repeat the process everyday to remove stubborn stains.  You can see the progress as the marks lighten day by day.  There is also a tendency for the paint to lighten as well, on some figures. 

WOW! Thankyou VERY much

You are welcome, Susane!