I just picked up my brand new 2010 Sparkling Silver MCS hardtop with bonnet stripes and cream white trim line. I am in love.

However, I noticed the night I got it home from the dealer there are a couple of marks on the cream vinyl near the ignition key that looks like pen. I tried soap and water, I tried Windex. I tried Goo Gone. I tried nail polish remover. The marks are still there.

So, for the short term: any ideas, tips on removing pen from MINI vinyl?

For the long term: any vinyl cleaners you would generally recommend? I predict the cream trim will require some attention.

Thank you MINI community!

 

I googled it and came up with the following. Hope it helps.

Ball point pen ink is not a something that you can usually remove with simple soap and water, but there is an easy and inexpensive way to remove pen ink from surfaces or clothing. Materials You Will Need

• rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
• shaving cream (if the alcohol doesn't remove the ink)
• hairspray (if neither the alcohol nor shaving cream works)
• non-flammable dry cleaning fluid (another option)

Ink Removal Instructions

1. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink.
2. Allow a couple of minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the surface and react with the ink.
3. Blot the ink stain using layers of white paper towels or a cloth that has been dampened in either alcohol or water.
4. If the alcohol is ineffective, try using foaming shaving cream.
5. If the shaving cream doesn't work, hairspray usually will remove ink, but it should only be used as a last resort because hairspray damages some surfaces and fabrics.
6. Non-flammable dry cleaning fluid may remove certain inks. If you use dry cleaning fluid to remove a stain, rinse the area with water afterwards.

Gel ink pens use an ink that is made to be permanent. Alcohol will not remove gel ink, nor will acid. Sometimes it is possible to wear away gel ink using an eraser.

 

I've successfully used hairspray for ink on fabrics. Not sure whether it would work on the vinyl.

 

You might also try one of those Mr Clean sponges. Those things get all kinds of pen, pencil, crayon and marker marks off. I know this because my younger son thinks the walls, floors etc in my house are his canvas.

 

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on the dash, but it can also be used on the vinyl. You can find it at your local autoparts store. For the seats I use Vinylex by Lexol (cleans, shines and protects in one step). It's in a blue bottle and also available at your local auto parts store. For the real stubborn stains I just use warm water and a mild soap (ex. Ivory) with a microfiber towel.

Whatever you do please do not use Armor All. The formula is ancient, makes everything greasy and attracts dust.

Update: Even though I'm a righty, I write like a lefty. Anyways, I got smeared pen marks all over my desk at work. My hand sanitizer did a great job removing all of them.

 

Why not test to see how good your dealer is and ask them to replace the effected area under warrantee?

 

Does the dealer's garage/shop have some Picrin, that should clean it up.

 

This will sound crazy but "totally awesome" from the dollar store (of all places) takes pen out of anything, including a headliner as well. Just be careful because it can also clean a spot so well that it ends up being lighter in color than the material you are cleaning.

 

A few weeks ago, one of the car dealers I visited got blue ballpoint pen on my black leather seats in my Acura.

I was depressed, until I tried simple rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol - available in huge bottles from Walgreens for cheap). Just rubbed for a bit, and mark completely disappeared. Amazing!!

Good thing to keep around and try first - less harmful than more powerful cleaners, handy around the house (also gets rid of paint on counters in case you're wondering...). And once again, cheap!