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pkatt · Sep 7, 2001, 05:52 PM

I just aquired a few mac SEs and Classics from my sisters school. I'm gonna make aquariums out of them, but want them to look nice. Unfortunately, 5 of the 7 have marker where I guess they identified them right on the front. I've tried all the chemicals in the house and I've managed to get it to fade a bit, but it's still there. Anyone know how to get it out for good? Thanks.

Burn · Sep 7, 2001, 08:09 PM

I would say you are 'hooped'

But my suggestion would be to, instead of remove the marker - cover it up. Paint the bottoms (bottom third or so) with black paint.. or something dark enough to cover it properly.. do a design.. paint it like an iMac.. I dunno I could go on.. If you get the right paint it wouldn't have to be dark either.. could spruce them up a bit. But I could see myself liking the 'old school' plastic as well

I have an old Apple ][ (somewhere) with some marker marks on it.. Nothing short of sanding the SHITE out of it would remove it (your case is a little different - but I'm sure the plastic is going to hold that ink fairly well).. HEY there's another cool suggestion - get a disc sander and scuff the bottom - nice and uniformly.. whatever..

goodluck

[ 09-07-2001: Message edited by: Burn ]

atarirat · Sep 7, 2001, 09:36 PM

Hey,

I work with plastics a little bit and the thing I use the most is WD-40. It may take a little rubbing, and then you have to reclean the surface to get the WD-40 off but it usually works. Goof-off for plastics works ok as well but I don't like it as much. Good luck

Burn · Sep 8, 2001, 12:59 PM

Also

Late last night I saw some infomercial for something called Zap.
It took marker and stains off all kinds of plastics and countertops..

might be worth a try?

yukon · Sep 9, 2001, 11:10 PM

i've always used "comet" with success. if you don't know its just an abrasive cleaning powder. rubbing alcohol or even bleach might work.

my school etched/chiseled serial numbers into their mac plus'es. really a pain when they gave it to me but wouldn't let me have it untill it was completly off (fyi this was last year, I didn't steal an 8mhz machine).

itomato · Sep 12, 2001, 04:42 PM

In my experience selling used equipment (university auctioned Mac equipment), the thing I found to work the best was lighter fluid. Ronsonol lighter fluid in the little metal bottle.

Next to that would be Goof-Off. I think it's similar, chemically.

The problem w/ permanent markers is the pigment tends to bond w/ the plastic over time. This makes it really hard to eradicate completely.