Removing permanent marker from keyboard keys.

WIAWSNB

HP Pavilion 14-ce3501na. Previous owner had poor eyesight, so used permanent marker to add graphics.

How to remove?!

I have tried 'sticker remover' as I had some - it didn't touch it.

The only other solvent I have current access to is white spirits (oh, and petrol. And whisky - worth a shot?), which I am happy to try as I doubt it'll affect the key surface. Daughter may have nail varnish removers, but these are usually pretty attacky stuff.

Or, worth buying 'felt pen remover'?

Ta.

Ayr_Rage

Permanent marker normally does exactly what is says on the pen.

Any remover will likely damage everything but those markings.

WIAWSNB

OMG! 😳

Whisky removed some with serious cotton-budding, so it suggests an alcohol base.

BUT, from t'net came the suggestion to use a dry-erase pen, and that totally works!

twopenny

You are likely to remove the original print and the key surface. Just years of wear has taken the first layer off mine.

I'd be more cautious and try old fashioned nail varnish remover (I keep a bottle in the garage for odd jobs) but applied with a thin watercolour brush only on the ink shapes

Paint remover you use on a car? That's pretty good. I also have some of that or ask at a garage proffering a tiny jam jar.

Swafega type stuff?

WIAWSNB

It worked, instantly, and no damage. I'm gobsmacked.

The solvent base - a form of alcohol, I guess - must be similar.

flaneurs_lobster

What's that 'dry erase pen' product? Presumably 'dry erase' = 'whiteboard marker'? So a product for removing whiteboard marker from places other than whiteboards?

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985629#Comment_81985629

Oops, sorry it's an ACTUAL dry-board pen!

The key is painted in red (that's the colour I had!), and it all wipes away with a dry cloth. A final whole-lappie wipe down with a lightly damp cloth has made it look nigh on new :-)

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985644#Comment_81985644

Well… every day’s a school day. I would never have thought that would be the solution but it’s stored for future use now.

Thanks

FreeBear

For future reference - Nail varnish remover (acetone) is likely to destroy the plastic. Do not use.

White spirit probably won't do anything, but you don't want it tracking under the key and into any electronics.

Petrol also attacks many plastics, so is best left in your fuel tank - The additives used in forecourt petrol won't do you any favours either.

QrizB

White spirit probably won't do anything

It's a few years since I've had to do this, but white spirit was great for cleaning yellowed desktop computers, monitors laser printers etc. and returning them to their original beige.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985727#Comment_81985727

A lot of nail varnish remover nowadays is acetone free. Presumably though still has some kind of solvent in it.

I was going to suggest surgical spirit/rubbing alcohol, but probably you would not want that going under the keys either.