Getting black biro ink off non-washable wallpaper

[NY]

I had a biro in my hand as I turned round to the window, and made a mark about 3 cm long on the wallpaper in my study.

Is there a solvent which will get some/all of the ink off without damaging the paper - which is ordinary paper, not water-resistant (bathroom) or washable. I tried a bit of alcohol (a dab of gin!) but that didn't have any effect. Probably needs pure alcohol!

Preferably a solvent that isn't going to leave an odour, so something that evaporates completely.

[Tim Streater]

It doesn't want to evaporate too quickly though. You need something that dissolves the ink, that you can then wick up with a tissue or similar. Then repeat until there's no ink visible.

[Animal]

not a chance

[Thomas Prufer]

At a guess: Kilrock K2R Stain Remover Spray

Spray can with a very volatile solvent, plus an absorbent powder.

The theory: spray on -- wet powder sits on surface -- solvent wets material -- solvent dissolves stain -- solvent+stain migrate to powder -- solvent evaporates, leaving stain in powder -- brush off powder -- done.

It's for fabrics. I think you may have a chance with this because there is no brushing or wiping involved. The solvent used to smell like trichlorethylene -- good for oily stains.

Thomas Prufer

[Andy Burns]

Or go to town with the biro and make it a repeating pattern all round the room!

[alan_m]

The Readers Digest book of "How to clean just about anything" suggests Methylated Spirit applied with a cotton bud and then soaked back up with a dry clean bud.

But they also suggest laving the spirit in place for 30 minutes. My guess is as soon as a solvent is applied the ink mark will spread further into the paper and become a big discoloured blob.

If the paper gets too wet the glue on the wall side will soften and the paper may bubble. In this case don't panic - just leave it alone and the paper will tighten back up as it FULLY dries - which may take a day or two.

Just hang a picture over the ink mark :)

[Jeff Layman]

+1

Trying to use a solvent will just make the mark worse. The simplest thing you could do is mask it with a small piece of the same wallpaper stuck over the top.

[alan_m]

Whatever you attempt it may be worth trying it out on a bit of suitable scrap paper first as a fine biro line may be a lot less noticeable than a large faint blob of discoloured solvent.

[Brian Gaff]

Vodka can work, then you can drink the rest and then you won't see the mark.

Actually, to be honest you won't get it off as it sinks through the paper. Your best bet is to disguise it with a paint of a similar colour to the paper in that spot. Emulsion. Whether its worth the expense time and bother is up to you, Obviously I cannot see your picture, but the best bet is buy a nice barometer and put it on the wall so it hides the mark. Brian

[Dave W]

I thought this might be useful, but apparently it's now discontinued.

[S Viemeister]

Yes.

Tack a scrap of matching paper over the mark, leaving a decent border and carefully lining up the pattern. Using a straight edge and very sharp blade, cut through both layers. Lift off the patch. Carefully peel off the stained area, and replace it with the new piece.

I've done it, and it works well.

[ARW]

Just call it modern art and leave it.

In fact you should lie and tell all visitors that Bansky did it for practice when he called in to see you.

[Smolley]

Carbon Tetrachloride should remove the ink with light dabbing.

[Thomas Prufer]

Sorry - I checked on amazon.co.uk. Found it and promptly missed the "currently unavailable"!

Thomas Prufer

[Brian]

You could try soaking blotting paper in a solvent designed to remove biro stains and holding it over the mark.

It will probably need several attempts. Have several bits of blotting paper ready and someone soak them as you remove one. Finish with a dry one.

Check in an area that is hidden the solvent doesn’t remove the pattern.,

Surgical spirit might work. It smells initially but it will go away.

[Bing AI]

There are a few methods you can try to remove biro ink from wallpaper without damaging it. You can try rubbing with methylated or surgical spirit, rubbing with fresh or bottled lemon juice, rubbing with vinegar, rubbing with baking soda paste, or rubbing with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.

It’s important to test any method on an inconspicuous area of the wallpaper first to make sure it doesn’t damage the paper. You can also try using a ball of bread to rub gently over the area1.

[Animal]

You can try lots of things. They will make it worse.