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removing ink from a wood floor

pino | Posted in General Discussion on August 15, 2006 07:18am

Any ideas what to use in removing ink from a poly’d had wood floor? My wife broke a pen and got blue ink all over the floor. We tried a few household cleaners and they all seem to get some of the ink, but smear the rest.

Any suggestions?

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    PeteDraganic | Aug 15, 2006 07:44pm | #1

    Ink remover?

    Seriously, I think that print shops carry ink solvent.  Call one and see.

    The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -Albert Einstein

    http://www.peteforgovernor.com

  2. User avater
    PeteDraganic | Aug 15, 2006 07:47pm | #2

    I just read that Isopropyl Alcohol works for ink removal

    or you can order the ink remover at the link below....

    http://www.bettymills.com/specials/mots/motsenbockers.html?type=GoogleAdWordsSearch&gclid=CI3Fip-S4oYCFSCCSQod2COLAg

     

    The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -Albert Einstein

    http://www.peteforgovernor.com

  3. User avater
    jarhead | Aug 15, 2006 07:57pm | #3

    Methylated Spirits which is ethyl alcohol. Also try acetone, naptha, methanol, try vasaline rubbed in the stain for a couple of days for a less intrusive approach. I would as pete said try the alcohol first, you should have that laying around.

                                  Semper Fi



    Edited 8/15/2006 1:23 pm ET by Jarhead

    1. pino | Aug 15, 2006 08:23pm | #4

      Thank you both for the suggestions. I'll give them all a try.

      1. hmj | Aug 15, 2006 08:49pm | #6

        Acetone could bring up the poly as well; I know from experience.

        1. User avater
          jarhead | Aug 15, 2006 09:11pm | #7

          Once cured, I wasn't aware that Polyurethane had a solvent. Once the finish had crosslinked I assumed not much could change the finish. Repairs are started out with sand paper where as in a laquer finish all you have to do is wipe with the appropriate solvent to break it down. It has been a while since reading his book (Bob Flexner) but one of the ways to determine the type of finish you have is to use various "solvents" and if none did soften the finish you were left with polyurethane. I can't reference the book due to being at work. I'll look when I get home.

                                              Semper Fi

          1. hmj | Aug 15, 2006 09:30pm | #8

            I spilled some acetone on a poly'd jatoba floor and it bubbled and peeled. Believe it was water based poly.

          2. User avater
            jarhead | Aug 15, 2006 09:52pm | #9

            oooh, bet that hurt. I don't know if the water base has anything to do with it but when I get to the house I'll try to look it up.

                                                  Semper Fi 

          3. hmj | Aug 15, 2006 10:02pm | #10

            It was some splashes and a ring when I set the can down in a hurry- bled through a canvas drop cloth. Laquer thinner and Famowood solvent did it too. Sanded w/ 400 grit and "patched" it with a few coats of minwax wipe on poly. This was in a closet so I don't know if I could have pulled it off in a foyer or somewhere more conspicuous...

  4. JohnD1 | Aug 15, 2006 08:25pm | #5

    What you have to do is get the ink into something that you can remove.  Simply wiping it with something that dissolves it can cause it to also soak into the wood if the coating is bad.

    There are a lot of cleaning devices that consist of a solvent plus a powder.  The solvent dissolves the stain, and as the solvent evaporates from the top of the powder, the bottom solvent is carried into the powder.  Then you sweep it up and throw it away.

    If you have talcum powder (NOT!!! the cornstarch stuff) you can do the same with your own cleaners.  Just choose one that seems to soften the ink; mix it with the powder and put the poultice down.

  5. Danno | Aug 16, 2006 12:43am | #11

    Seems like I remember some hint about using hairspray on ink on clothes--maybe that would work--less likely yo damage the poly than some other solvents.

  6. JLazaro317 | Aug 16, 2006 12:58am | #12

    I had to remove ink from some cabinets thanks to my 2 year old. I think what removed it was either WD-40 or Deep Woods Off. We tried both and one was better. My wife has a book about how to remove all kinds of stains and that was the recommended remedy.

    Good luck,

     

    John

    J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

    Indianapolis, In.

     

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