How can I get a permanent marker stain out of the upholstery in my car?

Question

OMG!!! My 2yr old drew all over the back seat of my brand new car with a perm. marker. I'm scared of doing anything that will damage my seats. Has this ever happend to anyone with a good out-come? What can I do to remove the stain without hurting my seats? Please Help!! Thanks.

Answer 1

Rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. Saturate the cotton ball(s) with the alcohol, and either DAB or 'short' rubs on the marks. Replace cotton OFTEN so to not re-spread what has come off on the cotton balls already. Dab the spot dry with a white washcloth, or one that is the same color as your upholstery. It may take a while, depending on how many marks there are, and you may go through a whole bottle of alcohol and a bag of cotton balls. Just be patient . . . it WILL work. This is how I got pen marks off my sister's brand new SUEDE couch!!

Answer 2

If your seats are leather you can possibly just use alcohol and it should come right off with a little elbow grease. If your seats are cloth try mixing dish detergent, a small amount of water and nail polish remover with *acetone* in (pure acetone would work better----don't use regular alcohol, it only works on hard surfaces like desk tops and sneakers and such) into a bowl or bucket wichever you prefer. Use this mixture and a seat scrubber to scrub away the permanent marker using an old towel to soak up the residue. You may have to go through this process more than once. After you get most if not all of the marker off of your seats you will have to clean them again with regular car seat cleaners and let it dry....If you don't want to go through this process yourself, you could take it to a shop or something and see what they say but it will come out much more expensive.

Answer 3

I own an auto detailing business. I use a solvent which is used for tar, gum etc. If it is leather you have to be very careful put it on a soft cloth and rub gently. It works fine on cloth to. You can purchase it at an automotive store. Mine is made by Auto Magic. If you have any doubts about doing it I would say take it to a professional. The biggest problem I have is people use the wrong things on ink and marker and it sets it in where it won't budge. On a brand new car I would check with your dealership. Better to be safe than sorry. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

after you follow all this good advice, go around the house and FIND ALL THE PERMANENT MARKERS. This is a search and destroy mission. If you have a locked desk drawer or lock box, that's where they go. Otherwise they go to work or into the OUTSIDE trash where they can't be retrieved.

So this Does Not Happen Again with the car or anything else.

Answer 5

Try a different brand of permanent marker.

Answer 6

My husband says alcohol.

I use stain devils in the laundry aisle of the grocery. If they have one formulated for perm marker, I'd sure use it.

Answer 7

Aqua Net hair spray.

Answer 8

my grandmother once used aquanet hairspray to get out permanent marker out of my dress slacks.

might work for u

Answer 9

denatured alcohol may work, it's has no smell and is good to remove all other stains. Flameable so be careful!

Answer 10

rub it gentlly with white spirits this might work for you .good luck.