easily removing permanent marker from plastic cartridge boxes...

[Magnum Wheel Man]

as I've built up my brass supply over this last year, I've run across calibers that either had ammo boxes of different colors, or ones that would be difficult to replace, & I buy all new ones ( my OCD goes crazy if I have 3 colors of plastic ammo boxes for the same gun )

on my boxes I usually write with a permanent marker the caliber on one end, & use masking tape to write all the load info on the cover... removing permanent marker from the smooth surface boxes just required a little elbow grease, but on the crinkle or pebble finish boxes it's always been much tougher to remove enough of the original writing, that they could easily be reused...

I tried goo gone, & it seemed to work "OK", but the other night I gave a box a shot with Triflow spray lubricant, & let it sit for 15-20 seconds, & hit it with a worn out green scotch brite pad, & the writing came off with very little effort... I'm sure WD-40 or any other similar product would work as well...

just thought I'd share...

anyone else have any of those kind of tips, I'd like to hear them... Thanks

 

[Salmoneye]

I have yet to see a 'permanent' marker that stands up to nail polish remover (acetone)...

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I use the "Industrial" Sharpie brand, so they don't rub off the smooth boxe4s so easily... I've not tried them with nail polish remover... but would also be concerned about the soft plastic they use in hinged ammo boxes ???

 

[wogpotter]

See if you can find some "PEC-12" cleaner. It'll rip the stripes off a zebra!
It is also specifically designed to remove all "magic marker".

 

[musher]

try isopropyl

 

[MEATSAW]

Permanent marker (like Sharpies) is easily removed with isopropyl alcohol. Take a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol and it instantly comes off regardless of what material the marker was on.

 

[Bart B.]

Goo Gone.

Naptha (lighter fluid).

Scouring powder from under your kitchen sink on a damp rag or on a wet buffing tip in your Dremel Moto Tool.

 

[F. Guffey]

Again, WD-40.

Remember, if it moves and is not supposed to use duck tape.

Remember, it is is supposed to move and does not use WD-40.

F. Guffey

 

[Mike / Tx]

Denatured alcohol works great and leaves nothing behind.

 

[Panfisher]

Most of us already have it. Brake cleaner, spray it on a rag and wipe permanent marker right off.

 

[Average Joe]

+1 WD-40

 

[psalm7]

Fast dry enamel thinner it dries so fast it doen't harm the plastic .

 

[Dan Newberry]

Hoppes 9

I didn't test this yet... but my son says Hoppes 9 dissolves the Sharpie marker on contact.

Someone let me know if you try that.

Dan

 

[std7mag]

I use some WD-40 or some spray silicone. Takes it right off!!

 

[Geezerbiker]

I print a card and tape it on. That way I just peel off the card when the box is empty...

Tony

 

[balderclev]

+1 on the lighter fluid

 

[willr]

Try straight grain alcohol -- i.e. vodka. I used to use straight grain acohol to clean transparent sheets for use on an overhead projector where I had used a sharpie to write. (No comments about a bad use of vodka.)
willr

 

[Sport45]

The solvent in most ink is alcohol. The suggestions of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or ethanol (grain or denatured) are spot-on and won't hurt the plastic.

 

[g.willikers]

Boy, you guys like doing things the hard way.
Just draw a big X through the old info and write the new info below it.

 

[kilimanjaro]

Me, I just open the box to see what caliber it is, it's stamped right on the cartridges.

The load data goes in my load book, the box is numbered and all is cross-referenced and dated.