Vandalized with Blue Marker - How to Clean?

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Vancouver
#1
Hi all,

Just came out of work to find this piece of artwork on my car. Nice huh!

Can anyone suggest how best to clean this? My car has been treated with Ultra Guard poly sealant. The marker should not have penetrated this coating.

 
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Reading,PA
#3
I would start very non-aggressive, especially if there is some sort of protectant on it.

First try a cleaner wax. I have used Meguiars for years and like their 3 step Deep Crystal system.

http://www.meguiars.com/?auto-paint-cleaners/Deep-Crystal-System-Paint-Cleaner

This cleaner should do the trick. It WILL ALSO remove any wax/polish on the car, so you should consider doing all 3 steps in the 3 part system: cleaner, then polish, then wax.
 

Tom

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#6
soundmax said:
Tom and Kirby, thanks for the quick replies.

Tom, do you think the Stoner product will strip the sealant?
According to the picture on their web site it looks to be safe on paint. I guess it wouldnt hurt to shoot them an email.
 
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Vancouver
#7
Average Jae, thanks for the support. This sucks BIG TIME!

Tom, great suggestion I have just e-mailed them.

I'm actually taking my car in this coming Monday to have the the door lock fixed from an incident on April 01 where someone tried punching out my door lock. It was suggested by my insurance rep to have the body shop look at buffing out the marker while they are at it.
 
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Location
Keller, TX
#8
ugh, I am sorry to hear about this. I walked to my car from work this afternoon only to find it covered in phlegm! The thought of someone going through the work of producing that much phlegm to spit at my car was disturbing. I know it's no marker, but it was a pain to cleam up. Hope all goes well
 

Shawn325i

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Santa Barbara, CA
#9
While knocking the dirt of my boots, I got a little bit of heel/sole dressing (which is just like a marker) on the painted surface below the door panel. I got it all off with no problem with denatured alcohol. I can't even tell anything was ever there. You could pick it up at Ace Hardware or it looks like any Art Supply store for a reasonable price. I would try this inexpensive avenue before going anywhere else.
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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#10
I think that all of the recent vandalism speaks for itself. Clearly its no longer completely safe to drive a BMW. Thus far BMWs and other such luxury brands are equated with SUVs, big houses, and the rich. Due to the latest environmentalism, increasing gas prices blamed on SUVs and performance cars (in ignorance of the 3series's 30mpg highway and 20mpg city ratings) BMW becomes a target. It's a social class teaching whereas the rich are to blame for turning a blind eye to the problems of society, and since nobody can detect this "out of sight" upper-echelons-of-society class they immediately assume anyone with a luxury car is perhaps a member of such. It boils down to the unearned wealth that is displayed on TV shows which is not representative of the population as a whole. Most luxury car drivers lease their cars or finance them as well as their home. There is a difference between being the only child of a multi-millionaire and sitting around doing nothing but spending money, as opposed to a hard working professional who spends most of his/her salary paying for their house, vehicle, etc. When someone sees a luxury car, they immediately assume, that person has life so much easier than them, and thinks they are better than everyone else. Unfortunately, I expect this to only increase in the future, especially in areas such as Baltimore, parts of Texas, Vancouver/Portland, california, ad nausium with regard to places of similar social strata.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but I felt compelled to point out why this seems to be happening a lot. I agree it's unfair and wrongly targeted, and I also agree with the alcohol or the special product suggestion.
 
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#11
Well today a staff member pointed out that our ATM was "tagged" with graffiti and guess what? It was the exact symbol that is on my car. The idiot would have been captured on video. Time to review the tapes?

Tom, I e-mailed the folks at Xenit and they got back to promptly. They said that particular product is the strongest they had and would not recommend using it on a clear coat. They offered to send me an alternative product at no charge. I'm actually taking the vehicle into the shop for an unrelated matter and will see if they can remove it.
 
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#12
that blew me away.. wow.

in an uh-hijacked note: i wonder if these people sleep better at night after doing something like that. Karma's a bitch and i guarantee it'll come around!
 
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#13
CrimsonTurbo said:
ugh, I am sorry to hear about this. I walked to my car from work this afternoon only to find it covered in phlegm! The thought of someone going through the work of producing that much phlegm to spit at my car was disturbing. I know it's no marker, but it was a pain to cleam up. Hope all goes well
Ugghh, I know. This happened to me too. I had a Mustang rental in California a few years ago. I went to lunch and left the top down at the restaurant. On the way in, I noticed an indigent/homeless man wandering around the parking lot, seemed like he was not "all there".

I came out to find a nice big "loogie" dead center on the steering wheel!! YUK! But at least it was not my car....
 
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Australia
#14
On topic of vandalism being so utterly pointless.
True storey : I once spoted this young boy (about 14-15yrs old) starting to scratch the words "FU*K YOU" into a train station seat, he got to about the "o" Before I promptly sat next to him and barged him of the seat... He fell to the ground and almost cried... His mates didnt do anything to help him either.
So cowardly.
 

Tom

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#15
soundmax said:
Well today a staff member pointed out that our ATM was "tagged" with graffiti and guess what? It was the exact symbol that is on my car. The idiot would have been captured on video. Time to review the tapes?

Tom, I e-mailed the folks at Xenit and they got back to promptly. They said that particular product is the strongest they had and would not recommend using it on a clear coat. They offered to send me an alternative product at no charge. I'm actually taking the vehicle into the shop for an unrelated matter and will see if they can remove it.
Thanks for the update. Can you post the name of the alternative product they sent you?
 

ts03m3

New Member
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#16
If it was done with one of the Sharpie permant markers, Isopropyl Alcohol will remove it without affecting the paint.
 
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Vancouver
#17
Tom, here is a quote from the e-mail sent to me..

"Xenit Citrus is our strongest cleaner remover. I would not recommend this on a clearcoat paint surface. I would start with a clearcoat compound which you can purchase at local auto parts store. I would be willing to send you a can of Tarminator which is a Tar, Sap & Bug remover; I’m not sure if it’s strong enough to remove the marker, but it will not harm the paint surface. It could strip the “Ultra Guard Poly Sealant”.

ts03m3, thanks for the suggestion. I rubbed a little bit off with my finger moistened just to see how easy it would come off and it stained by finger blue. I'm hopeful it shouldn't be too difficult.
 
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Edmond, OK
#19
Meguire's makes a paint cleaner that is only slightly abrasive - nothing like rubbing compound. It has taken off everything I used it on. I would imagine that a clay bar could take it off too.
 
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#20
Success!

Hi all,

I have successfully removed the offensive marker. This is what I used:

1) Mothers' Pre-Wax Cleaner
2) Mothers' Sealer & Glaze
3) Mothers' Pure Carnauba Wax (liquid)

Thanks to everyone for their support.
 


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