Oops! How do I remove ink from vinyl dashboard?

[FloridaCanuk]

The latest episode of my situation comedy life—otherwise known as, “Boy, do I feel stupid.” I was doing some electrical work inside my RV. Laid some written instructions down on the vinyl dashboard and called it a day. When parts I was waiting for arrived 5 days later, went back inside the RV and picked up the paper that was on the dash to finish the electrical project. The ink from the paper had transferred onto the dashboard and nothing is working to remove it. So far, I’ve grabbed everything I have, including:

1. Fingernail polish remover
2. Hairspray
3. Rubbing alcohol
4. Simply Green
5. Auto Detailer
6. Black Streak Remover
7. OxyClean
8. Dish soap

Nothing is working. Anybody else out there ever experience the same dilemma? What finally worked for you?

[Mac99]

Try isopropyl alcohol, it is 90% alcohol and has been
know to be a good solvent for ink. Might take a few
times. Work from outside to inside, turn/change
paper towel with each productive wipe. Rubbing alcohol
is only 70%. If that does not work, try acetone.
Be gentle and quick, same technique.
Good luck

[tinstar 1114]

I found an Ink Remover at the general store. It still took a lot of work and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. When I say it took a lot of work, I'm talking an hour or two and not 20 or 30 minutes. I was careful to put the oil back into the vinyl after I finished by using coconut oil on the dash several times. The chemicals you are using and what I used took the oil out and it will become brittle if not protected.

[obxmom]

Axe deodorant spray removed Sharpie ink from leather for me. (Teenage son came home with a Sharpie "tattoo" and fell asleep on the new leather couch. Son woke up and went on his merry way...the ink stayed! Internet search came up with the Axe deodorant solution. Worked like a charm, hubby never knew a thing!) It might be worth a try, but I would recommend finding an inconspicuous spot to test it out on.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

FloridaCanuk-

Here's a recent thread on a similar topic. More on repair than removal, though.

[bruceisla]

Amodex works on most ink.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amodex-1-fl...8aAlRXEALw_wcB

[RV Pirate]

WD40 or mineral spirits. (Paint thinner) NOT LACQUER THINNER..

[djhinds]

I used this company to repair our couch in the coach and they were great. They are a franchised business and are all over the country.

https://www.fibrenew.com/bouldergolden/

Good luck
Dave

[FloridaCanuk]

Thanks everyone for your input; I was running out of ideas as to what to try next. I will go thread by thread and try each idea. If I still have no luck then it looks like we’ll be making a trip to one of the repair places some of you have suggested. If I manage to luck out and get the ink off with something, I’ll be sure to post what worked to help the next person who runs into this problem. Take care.

[tinstar 1114]

Any progress yet?

[FloridaCanuk]

Originally Posted by tinstar 1114

Any progress yet?

I’m afraid not. I think, once again, the RV has won yet another battle against me. I re-tried fingernail polish remover as it was the only thing that made even the slightest difference. I then tried isopropyl alcohol and also Orange hand cleaner—all without success. However, I can’t justify the cost of re-covering the dash at this time simply because, aside from the ink, the rest of the dash is still in good shape. I’ve decided to simply cover the area with one of those “sticky” mats that you lay your iphone, keys, etc, on. Then I’ll eventually re-cover the dash when the rest of it deteriorates.
The bottom line is that too much time passed between when I laid that paper with the writing down on the dash and when I discovered the mess that it made. It was in the Florida heat for 5 days and it was just too long.

[WinnieView]

Have you tried a petroleum-based product?

[Rsponsford]

Try toothpaste. Sounds crazy but worked for me. Whatever you use don’t grind it into the surface. Be patient and work it gently until you see tesults.

[tcg]

If it's on the dash where sunlight can get to it you might try leaving it uncovered in direct sunlight. Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent.