Removing Sharpie Ink from a Ballcap.

[sacker12]

Hi,

I have this Troy ballcap from last season that I sharpied an injured player's initials and number on. However, I really like the hat and would like to try to see if I can remove the sharpie. This is one of the wool/acrylic caps that has the cotton sweatband instead of the new polyester sweatband, which is the reason why I would prefer to keep it.

It is a cardinal cap with two white panels in the front. The numerals are written in black sharpie in the white panels. They are towards the far corner of each panel, so they are in close proximity to the cardinal bill. Therefore, I want to use something that will not cause the cardinal dye to seep into the white panel and make it pink.

One option that I have heard some good things about Carbona Stain Devil for Ink or Goof-Off. But, I want to see if you guys have any better ideas. Your help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[DomTheAthlete29]

Hi,

I have this Troy ballcap from last season that I sharpied an injured player's initials and number on. However, I really like the hat and would like to try to see if I can remove the sharpie. This is one of the wool/acrylic cap that has the cotton sweatband instead of the new polyester sweatband.

It is a cardinal cap with two white panels in the front. The numerals are written in black sharpie in the white panels. They are towards the far corner of each panel, so they are in close proximity to the cardinal bill. Therefore, I want to use something that will not cause the cardinal dye to seep into the white panel and make it pink.

One option that I have heard some good things about are using Carbona Stain Devil for Ink or Goof-Off. But, I want to see if you guys have any better ideas. Your help will be appreciated. Thanks.

Here is a great idea. If you really like a hat, don't write on it with sharpie.

Just kiddin man. Good luck.

[Sc8b]

Well, you could always just keep it on there for history's sake (which is what I would do), but if you want to remove it, I'm not sure... I know you should not use OxiClean; one of my buddies did and it ruined his hat...

[gueman]

Take it to a dry cleaner. Don't try to do this your self. I would bet they would only charge you a few bucks if that. But I would just leave it alone.

[FiddySicks]

Put it in the sun for a few days, the sharpie will fade out pretty well. I had an aotographed ballcap in my room that the sun hit through a window and it was ruined in less than a week. In fact, if you're looking to get autographs, sharpies are terrible things to use, as they will fade, and fade bad, in enough time.

[Sc8b]

Put it in the sun for a few days, the sharpie will fade out pretty well. I had an aotographed ballcap in my room that the sun hit through a window and it was ruined in less than a week. In fact, if you're looking to get autographs, sharpies are terrible things to use, as they will fade, and fade bad, in enough time.

And if you're going to do that, you would want to cover up everything but the white panels, since the other colors would fade as well.

[sacker12]

What should I use to cover up the other panels?

[FiddySicks]

Put it in the sun for a few days, the sharpie will fade out pretty well. I had an aotographed ballcap in my room that the sun hit through a window and it was ruined in less than a week. In fact, if you're looking to get autographs, sharpies are terrible things to use, as they will fade, and fade bad, in enough time.

And if you're going to do that, you would want to cover up everything but the white panels, since the other colors would fade as well.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that little part

But I'm not sure if the regular fabric colors could fade that bad in the course of two days. Sharpie I know will though. But I'd still cover it up, because I really don't know...

[Sc8b]

What should I use to cover up the other panels?

I would just put it in a towel and tape it strategically so that only the white is exposed... might be harder than it sounds though, not sure.

[sacker12]

What I could do is find a rag that I could cut up to put over the emblem, bill, and rest of the cap. I could take more than a few days this week since it is supposed to be a little cloudy here. This sounds like a lower risk option than trying to use something to take the ink off. I'll think about it.

[sacker12]

What I think I will do is cut a cheap white towel that I bought at Wal-Mart into pieces and use some basting tape to tape it on the areas that I don't want to be affected. My only concern is whether or not the exposure to the sun will cause the areas to yellow.

One thing that I'm flirting with was using Rit Dye Remover, but I would do it by putting a little bit of the powder inside of a 20oz bottle, shake it around, and use swabs to blot out the Sharpie ink. I would also use a wet cloth to "rinse" the dye remover from the hat. But, now that I've thought about it, the dye remover may seep into the colored areas of the hat and ruin it.

[pheer]

Something that I've used to get rid of sharpie on NON-FABRIC surfaces in the past is nail polish remover. I don't know how it would react with the fabric, or even make it worse by creating a smudge, but take it for what it's worth.

This is a good lesson for you college kids who tend to drink too much with a bunch of a-hole buddies. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[eriqjaffe]

http://www.amodexink.com/

Try it at your own risk, but Sharpie links to them on their web site under the FAQ of "how do I remove Sharpie"?

[FiddySicks]

Something that I've used to get rid of sharpie on NON-FABRIC surfaces in the past is nail polish remover. I don't know how it would react with the fabric, or even make it worse by creating a smudge, but take it for what it's worth.

This is a good lesson for you college kids who tend to drink too much with a bunch of a-hole buddies. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Yeah, because nail polish remover exfoliates the pores so well...

[Firefly]

Toothbrush, powder laudry detergent and a cup of hot water.

And let me caution against nail polish remover: don't f-ing use it on anything but nail polish. That stuff eats through material like the acid blood in Aliens. Using lighter fluid to clean things is less dangerous.

[sacker12]

I'm giving Bucfan's idea a shot right now. I couldn't find Carbona or any similar product at Wal-Mart last night, so I'm giving that one a shot. The hat is heavily covered with cloth, with the exception of parts written on.

EDIT: On second thought, I was a little concerned about that idea result in the small areas around the numbers being slightly yellowed, so I've abandoned that idea. If I can find some Amodex at a decent price, I'll try to buy some. It says that it is safe to use on fabrics that can be dry cleaned, including wool.

[sacker12]

Toothbrush, powder laudry detergent and a cup of hot water.

And let me caution against nail polish remover: don't f-ing use it on anything but nail polish. That stuff eats through material like the acid blood in Aliens. Using lighter fluid to clean things is less dangerous.

Since it is a wool-blend hat, I'll have to say no-can-do on the first idea. But, I can't agree more on the second point.

[dgthree]

use a carpet cleaner... the cheap spray and scrub bottles. It won't fade the fabric and it will get out the stain.

I think Resolve is the best brand, but any dollar tree/family dollar/dollar store style carpet cleaner will work.

[pagan696]

2 cheap and easy ones:

aeresol hairspray or 90% alcohol. the alcohol content of hairspray is high enough to remove ink. sharpie will break down fine without harming the other fabric color/dye.

[Shumway]

I'm not positive that this'll work on a hat, but when I worked at Finish Line, we had foam stuff that could remove sharpie ink from our register counter. I don't think it'll damage your hat at all, but I'm not gonna promise anything. It comes in a clear bottle with a red pump at the top. If there's a store near you, ask them...they'll know the name...I think it's Oxy-something, but I'm not positive.