Someone TAGGED my car!!!! How to remove permanent marker??
 

Argh!!!!

Went to my car this morning, and now the trunk reads:
"300D Biodiesel S.O.B. Turbodiesel"

Guess which part isn't supposed to be there?!?!?!

So, how do I remove BLACK permanent marker from the trunk lid of my CREAM-colored 300D?

I have isopropyl alcohol, acetone, simple green, vinegar and water, biodiesel, diesel, gasoline. Which to use? I tried water. No go.

Thanks so much! (time to move!)

maybe try a buffing compound?

You could look for graffiti remover in a paint store or home depot. It takes it off of many surfaces including stop signs etc.

I have used it but never on a car and it does not seem to hurt the existing paint or other surfaces. The label should tell or their 800 number should have someone that can give advice about auto paint.

Also, your insurance agent may have run into this before and have advice.

Dear MonsieurBon:

Try Acetone (generally available as fingernail polish remover). It will remove the permanent marker easily.

However, please first try scrub acetone on some hidden area of your car to see whether it may affect the type of paint on your car. If it's OK, you can use acetone to remove the permanent marker.

Eric

Thanks folks! I was going to start with isopropyl alcohol since I used it without a problem to prep the paint before applying the "Biodiesel" vinyl applique. It didn't mess up the paint at all. If that doesn't work too well, I'll try the acetone.

But first I'm taking a picture to upload to the police. I've seen this tag before in my area.

Grrrr....

Wait....
 

I don't think that I would use acetone. I'd check with a body shop, first. I'm no expert, but acetone is very strong.

Acetone will strip the paint, clearkote or whatever it touches. Then you'll have a dull area which will look terrible.
If your insurance covers it don't mess with it AT ALL. They should repaint the trunk lid as vandalism should be covered and BTDT. My wife's car got keyed down both sides (all fenders and doors) when she parked around some demonstrators that saw a George Bush sticker and flag decal on the car. I had to fight w/ the ins adjuster to get a proper paint job (not a mask and blast)
DDH

I'd try Mineral Spirits first.

try this
 

go to walmart and get something called
PURPLE POWER I'VE used it ro remove
scuffes on my cars and it's a great de-greaser castrol makes the some thing but it's more expencive

Your office supply store should also sell a pen that is a marker pen eraser. Cheap, but test on a hidden spot.

Goo Gone.

It's citrus based and does not harm cured paint. We use it all the time in the manufacturing biz to get rid of tape residues on both wet and powder painted parts.

I'm curious to know what it all means. I know what it stands for, but if you said that it has happened before to others in your area, what is it for? A gang, people who hate dieselers, what?

Well, I'm not sure, but I know about how people mark stuff. They mark stuff to claim their "territory". It's sometimes a gang thing, which is stupid because they have NO territory. They don't own a certain part of town or anything. Another thing is that it could have been a teenage prank or something, entirely non gang related. We had a problem like that in Houston where some middle aged guys from the rural areas would come into town and put graffiti on highway overpass pylons, mast lighting towers, and somehow got graffiti on the BGS (Big Green Signs) over the mainlanes. They got fined and prosecuted by the Texas Department of Transportation. Houstonians would remember then, the "REBS" and "Rite" taggers.
-Joe
P.S. This is my 200th post.:D

Graffiti on signs? Thats nothing. The last time I was in Brazil someone had "tagged" the side of a twelve story building. Now thats a tag. (I do not condone this behavior in any way shape or form)
Hudson

God that makes me sick!!! Why the F*U*C*K would someone do that?!?! It shows that people have to be *******s just because you drive a mercedes! DO THEY NOT REALIZE THAT THESE CARS ARE TURTLES THAT ARE PUSHING 20 YEARS OLD?!?! We don't drive these things because we think we are sweet... we drive them because we KNOW we are smart! :)

I hope you are able to get the marker off without hurting the finish and paint underneath!!! Best of luck to ya.