Grafitti removal?

[alison]

Our metal maibox got tagged with permanent marker. Any ideas for how to remove it?

[MarissaNicole]

I remember someone saying something about removing permanent marker from plastic tubs. Was it the anti-static spray?

[diggitydot]

Acetone, lacquer thinner, xylol -- all will work to varying degrees.

ETA: Might also try Goof-Off or Goodbye Splatters (not the water-based versions).

[alison]

Thanks--dh is on it now. I just want to make sure we get it off ASAP before others come to tag it further. Ahhh, city living.

[oceanchild]

If it's more than a one-time thing, call your city councilperson!

[GrayMatterWife]

Any ideas for how to remove it?

Call your trashbin-monopolizing doctor-neighbor and tell him to stop committing petty vandalism in a childish expression of his frustration about not being allowed to mooch off your bin anymore!!

(kidding!)

[alison]

Ugh. Tried a bunch of different things, and none of it worked... We tried a magic eraser. What a POS. That has never worked for anything I've ever tried to remove from anything.

Tomorrow I'll pick up some goof off. I also read online that you can use it for graffiti. If that doesn't work then we'll have to get a new mailbox.

So stupid. Seriously, I hope this person gets hit by a car tomorrow.

[ladymoreta]

I'm sorry. People suck...

[diggitydot]

What is the mailbox made out of? If it's metal, priming and repainting the damn thing will be loads easier. If it's plastic, painting it isn't a good option. And solvents "hot" enough to remove the permanent marker will also melt the plastic.

You might also consider coating your mailbox (new or old) with an anti-graffiti coating. It's a sacrificial coating that enables you to simply wipe off graffiti, but it has to be reapplied frequently.

[alison]

It's metal, but has a finish on it. It matches the 3 other mailboxes in the townhouse complex, so my hope is to not have to replace it or try to color match the finish.

I just bought a $9 can of Goof Off, and will give it a go during M's nap.

[diggitydot]

If it already has a finish on it, be very careful. Anything that can affect the marker can affect the finish, too. Depending on what it is...

[alison]

Yeah. From our efforts already, we've rubbed off some of the finish. Argh! If it only didn't say "cock."

[alison]

Goof off removed it!!!
Acetone, nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, paint thinner all did not work!

[ladymoreta]

Glad it's gone! I hope the punks get caught! (But not at your house again!!)

[Momo]

Now go get some of that anti graffiti coating!