How to remove pencil marks?

wgander · Post by **wgander** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:07 pm

How do you remove pencil marks? How do you mark your layouts?
I've been using soft lead and an eraser, but must have spent an hour on my last project before I could do any sanding and assembly. I never could remove all of the crayon marks (red, green, violet) from the lumber yard: I'm going to have to do a lot of sanding.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:23 pm

Hi wgander,
I know of no way to do that except to use an eraser, or remove material (e.g., sand, joint, plane, scrape, cut, etc.). Sorry.

I recommend not using anything BUT a pencil to mark your work. Pencil marks are the easiest to remove.

friscomike · Post by **friscomike** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:26 pm

Howdy,

About the only way I have been able to effectively remove pencil marks is with a gum eraser. They seem to be soft enough to get down in the grain.

I've started using chalk to mark boards (not for fine marks) in places where I used to use a pencil. The chalk wipes off with a cloth.

Best Regards,
mike

kenj · Post by **kenj** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:37 pm

Denatured alcohol will remove pencil marks, and will not otherwise affect the wood.

crousetrodomis · Post by **crousetrodomis** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:04 am

If you plan on sanding it down, why not use a cabinet scraper instead? (did not know bout the denatured alcohol trick.......learn something new everyday..... and heading out the garage to mess something up just to see!!!!)

Yeah....i'd probably jump off the bridge.......................does it help that my wife is a special ED teacher???

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:16 am

crousetrodomis wrote:....and heading out the garage to mess something up just to see!!!!)........

Report please.

wgander · Post by **wgander** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:19 am

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... udes_1.htm
My previous searches didn't find this Video: it shows how well denatured alcohol removes pencil marks.
(I don't have a scraper in this shop.)

crousetrodomis · Post by **crousetrodomis** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:40 am

I'll be da...............um........WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didnt even require Billy Maze's screaming and waving of his magic hands

!!!!!

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:51 am

Wow! I did not see that before. If that works, it sure will simplify things. Guess I will be trying that next time I need to rid my work of "Nicks"!:D

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:19 am

wgander wrote:How do you remove pencil marks? How do you mark your layouts?
I've been using soft lead and an eraser, but must have spent an hour on my last project before I could do any sanding and assembly. I never could remove all of the crayon marks (red, green, violet) from the lumber yard: I'm going to have to do a lot of sanding.

Pencil as you have been told comes off with alcohol and crayon comes off with Naphtha or most other solvents. I'm careful with crayon and chalk they often contain things that make them easy to apply (like dreaded silicon

) that can contaminate your wood. I try to stick to either a pencil black, white or red or a marking knife. On the colored pencil make sure you don't get a pencil crayon but rather something with graphite type of lead.

Incidently Fine Woodworking did a review of the marking knives. The old Exacto craft knife won. It is listed for best buy and editors choice. They remarked the knife fit nicely in the hand, was easy to trace around objects and by it very nature was eary to keep super sharp. No need for a $50 marking knife made from some exotic wood when a $5 Exacto knife does the job so much better.
Ed

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How to remove pencil marks?

How to remove pencil marks?

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