Ink on iMac screen

[someguy]

OK, to make a long story short, my mom was pointing to something on the iMac's screen with an ink pen and yeah, you can figure the rest out.

We bought the iKlear mini package thing ($9.99) and that doesn't help one tiny little bit for removing the ink (although I bet it will work wonders on my PB screen ).

Is there anything we can do to get this ink off? It's right smack in the middle of the screen too, very annoying.

 

[mpw]

Try mayonnaise.*
*Thats a JOKE™ for Simpsons fans

 

[someguy]

Dude! I almost tried that!
That's a Joke™

 

[Eniregnat]

If you have a first aid-kit, try the isopropyl alcohol wipe.

I have about 30 flat screens that are often marked up by well meaning volunteers. This happens in my office more often than I would like to admit.

Usually just a screen wipe will work (didn't in your case) so the next step, if I may suggest, is isopropyl alcohol. That failing, I would try a good eraser with light pressure, then clean the screen. Use the kind of eraser found on erasable pens. You don’t want to apply too much pressure or to polish off the matt or satin sheen on the screen.

I don’t recommend using a screen polish.

 

[someguy]

If you have a first aid-kit, try the isopropyl alcohol wipe.

I'll give that a shot if I can find any around the house. Thanks!

In the meantime, taking other suggestions as well.

 

[CoMpX]

Open up InkWell and import the ink into that program.

But seriously, try using the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on it...gently.

 

[Eniregnat]

Try mayonnaise.*
*Thats a JOKE™ for Simpsons fans

It actually makes sense. It should help dissolve both water based and oil based inks. Brilliant!!!
Find a Dutchman with fried potatoes and you will find some mayo. It should work, but you will still have to use a bit of cleaner to get the mayo off.

When we recorded on reel-to-reel decks we used blue Sharpieies to mark the leaders because they were the only ones that left next to no residual ink when erased with alcohol (the same stuff we used to clean heads). So when we went digital, and people marked the screens, it became natural to try isopropyl alcohol.

We still ban pens, but they still end up in the studio.

 

[someguy]

I just read that isopropyl alcohol is the main ingrediant in rubbing alcohol, so is it OK to use rubbing alcohol if I have some around or are there other substances within rubbing alcohol that could damage the screen?

Oh, and what about hydrogen peroxide?

 

[Eniregnat]

I just read that isopropyl alcohol is the main ingrediant in rubbing alcohol, so is it OK to use rubbing alcohol if I have some around or are there other substances within rubbing alcohol that could damage the screen?

Oh, and what about hydrogen peroxide?

There is no reason to use hydrogen peroxide, though it might break down the dye. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer, it works well at reacting with a number of organic molecules. It probably won't do anything. Also, household hydrogen peroxide is about 3% H2O2 and 96.9% water + <1% phosphoric acid(a stablent).

Isopropyl alcohol should be the same as rubbing alcohol. 70% or better should be fine. Use a good cotton swab.

 

[MacMosher]

There is no reason to use hydrogen peroxide, though it might break down the dye. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer, it works well at reacting with a number of organic molecules. It probably won't do anything. Also, household hydrogen peroxide is about 3% H2O2 and 96.9% water + <1% phosphoric acid(a stablent).

Isopropyl alcohol should be the same as rubbing alcohol. 70% or better should be fine. Use a good cotton swab.

Do I smell a Chemist?
Bravo I'm very impressed with all you suggstions and back up

 

[someguy]

Worked like a charm. Thanks!

 

[BurtonCCC]

I know it says "That's a joke" under the mayo post, but that stuff is crazy. I was on a mission trip and I got aluminum roof tar all over my legs... we'll just say I have a lot of leg hair. So I brought a bunch of mayo packets into the shower and it took the stuff right off.

Daniel.

 

[California]

Carbona makes ink remover that I've used on iBooks with great success.

They also make wine, blood, milk, glue, paint, grease and oil removers . Very cool stuff in the yellow bottles.