How do I remove gear-marking paint?

[scubasaurus94]

I'm thinking about selling my old BC but I marked it with my initials using Trident gear-marking paint. I was able to remove most of the paint but there is still a white layer in the shape of my initials firmly stuck to the fabric. Any tips on how to get rid of it?

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Take a look at the BC on the right below; I bought that off eBay 3-4 years ago. After thousands of chlorine and salt water dives the "L" is still visible. Evidently it was at one time a rental/student BC.

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[cmburch]

Short of trying different solvents such as methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, cigarette lighter fluid, or others that will not melt plastic. I wonder if Goof Off will work.

I sometimes find out what the solvent in the paint is and try that first.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Short of trying different solvents such as methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, cigarette lighter fluid, or others that will not melt plastic. I wonder if Goof Off will work.

I sometimes find out what the solvent in the paint is and try that first.

Lot's of luck with that list not harming the BC. Also methylene chloride is a suspected carcinogen, as is carbon tet. and methyl alcohol is rather toxic. In some cases it is not worth the effort, and this may be one of them.

If you do not care if it works or not, and have really good ventilation, you can try furniture stripper (which is mostly methylene chloride, phenol, and acetic/formic acid). Do read read the instructions and follow them, it's a pretty nasty soup.

Far lower risk would be to try to abrade the paint off with a some 600 grit paper.

 

[aquaregia]

Most of my gear has someone else's name on it. It's never really bothered me.

 

[orm]

Have you tried WD40?

 

[cmburch]

Lot's of luck with that list not harming the BC. Also methylene chloride is a suspected carcinogen, as is carbon tet. and methyl alcohol is rather toxic. In some cases it is not worth the effort, and this may be one of them.

If you do not care if it works or not, and have really good ventilation, you can try furniture stripper (which is mostly methylene chloride, phenol, and acetic/formic acid). Do read read the instructions and follow them, it's a pretty nasty soup.

Far lower risk would be to try to abrade the paint off with a some 600 grit paper.

While carbon tet is not used anymore in the dry cleaning industry. These solvents when rubbed on with a cotton swab have been used to clean residues from surfaces such as clothing. Some will melt plastic such as dichloromethane.

The suggestion was try Goof Off which is designed to remove latex and oil base paints from surfaces such as carpet, woodwork, and draperies. http://www.goofoffstainremover.com/

Also finding out which solvent is used in the paint marker will help.

Furniture stripper should not be used on Cordura nylon.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

In general I would not make carcinogens, like carbon tet, my first choice.

Goof off consists of xylene, ethyl benzene, and toluene. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8276133/MSDS-Goof-Off If you think your profit on selling the BC will cover the oncologist’s bills go for it.

Where is Suisan Bay?

 

[OneRestlessNative]

If your BC is black, maybe try using a black marker in the same style to blot it out? If it isn't too faded making it look funny. Or maybe do a solid block/square over it where the new owner could put their initials in a different color?

 

[DandyDon]

Sounds like an airline baggage handler looking for tips on how to ebay found goods.