Wow, it sounds like you have used everything I have in the past with magic eraser being the most successful. I have a few cases where the magic eraser started taking the top coat of paint off where you could see a sheen change. Might try goof off as a last resort, but that will probably try to take the paint with it.

Did you try using more permanent marker?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMdkhEvxkFU

Try a gritty type toothpaste, a small amount of water and a toothbrush.

Not sure if that will remove it from plastic, but it works wonders for wood, furniture, etc.

You can also try rubbing it off with the rough side of a dry/wet sponge. I had some good results removing residue and ballpoint pen writings on metal and plastic cases with that method, although it atmittedly sound a little bit destructive at first.

I would try a dry erase marker next. I've had good success with writing over the letters with a lot of dry erase, and then cleaning it off.

This one requires special tools. Like a kitchen sponge for non-stick surfaces, slightly wet so that it's not dripping, nor fraying either. 🤣 Seriously now, just try one of those.

70% or higher alcohol. Rubbing alcohol likely isn't strong enough to dissolve the marker. You can also try imbibing a piece of cloth with alcohol and leaving it sit on top of the affected area for a while...

Try an orange or citrus-oil based cleaner, applied using a toothbrush or magic eraser. I think the brand in the US is called 'Goo Gone'? https://googone.com/products/original/ but here in Oz I use 'Orange Power' for permanent marker and sticker residue. If it's the same stuff, be careful as it will also remove stickers or screen-printed logos (as my Gateway 20 desktop can attest to), and may also melt some plastics.

I've run into that- if it's a porous plastic surface and it's been there a lot of years, it will be down in the plastic where you can't clean it off without taking the layers of plastic with it.

Or is that painted metal? If so, you may just have to repaint if it bothers you.

JidaiGeki wrote:

Try an orange or citrus-oil based cleaner, applied using a toothbrush or magic eraser. I think the brand in the US is called 'Goo Gone'? https://googone.com/products/original/ but here in Oz I use 'Orange Power' for permanent marker and sticker residue. If it's the same stuff, be careful as it will also remove stickers or screen-printed logos (as my Gateway 20 desktop can attest to), and may also melt some plastics.

Very good suggestion! I use one that has proven quite successful for me called De-Solv-It. I've got a few bottles of the stuff since I never wanted to run out of it!

Yes, it is painted metal. It's on the top of the computer case.

I just tried the toothpaste method. It's baking soda and peroxide toothpaste. It is working, but slowly. The marker is now about half as noticeable as before, but you can still see it. I will try another round of scrubbing with the toothpaste and hope for the best. It may just take multiple attempts.

Thanks for all the help so far.

fitzpatr wrote:

I would try a dry erase marker next. I've had good success with writing over the letters with a lot of dry erase, and then cleaning it off.

This was to be my suggestion but I was beaten to it. It *might* be less successful now simply by having tried all the other methods first, though.

WD40, yeah I know, sounds strange but it works in some instances.

Acetone (nail polish remover), but try on a part of the case you can't see to make sure it doesn't damage the finish.

Too bad it doesn't also have J. Oates' signature on it. 😁

There is this guy on youtube that has all kinds of "life hacks". He might help you. Especially as the things always explode 😉
(Can't find a link now)

I was under the impression that isopropyl alcohol was effective at removing permanent marker. However, I am not sure how it would react with the paint or plastic.

Have you tried something like the "Magic Eraser"?

AlaricD wrote:

Too bad it doesn't also have J. Oates' signature on it. 😁

I Can't Go For That.

Anonymous Coward wrote:

I was under the impression that isopropyl alcohol was effective at removing permanent marker. However, I am not sure how it would react with the paint or plastic.

Isopropyl and lots of scrubbing worked when I got a CRT monitor that someone had writen on with a permanent marker. Not sure if the type of material matters or if there are different permanent markers.