Sir Thrift-A-Lot ♥


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Help! I'm In Grease Pencil Hell!

Help! I'm in grease pencil hell!


Today at Goodwill I was struggling with the decision of buying of Town & Country divided dish, I already have one, but I could always use two. I managed to talk myself out of it, I don't really like Town & Country, but I could use on Thanksgiving & someone would want to buy it once I have a store... Once I noticed a teeny, tiny chip on the lid, I tossed (k, placed) it back on the shelf. As I was tossing, I noticed this cool box, which was the same beautiful colour as these amazing paper boxes I bough awhile back (see below). 


I cringe at the price... $6.06, but when I finally pick it up & discover what it is (a ribbon holder), thoughts begin swirling.. OMG, bags of vintage Christmas ribbon from Value Village, that Rainbow Brite ribbon I have been looking for & once I find it I'll never use, it'll look perfect if I ever have a crafts space, I'll love using it to wrap presents! You can tell I was off my rocker at that point - I barely have anybody to exchange gifts with any time of year.
So... look what I overlooked.. how in the hell am I going to get this yellow grease pencil off? They couldn't have put the price on the bottom? What were they thinking? Ask.com had suggestions, but I'd like to know what worked for you!


 




19 comments:

  1. I have the same problem with another thrift store. They'll just scribble the price...in marker...on top of everything from picture frames to ceramics. Ridiculous! Goo Be Gone works fairly well for price stickers. But marker is like my thrift kryptonite. Good luck!

    <3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!
    http://LetsGoThrifting.blospot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks... hah.
      They are usually pretty good at this Goodwill. I don't know what was going through this mind this time.
      Using marker.. is just.. dumb.

      Delete
  2. What is the box made of? I can usually get the grease marker off with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Good Luck!

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    Replies
    1. The box is fabric... so not sure if that'll work. Does it work on fabric?

      Delete
  3. Ugh...why do thrift stores do this?

    I usually have good luck with Magic Eraser getting off permanent marker and grease pencil, though grease pencil tends to smudge a lot. Just try to use small circles and a clean side if it starts smudging.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because far too many people peel stickers off, and then gingerly reapply them to new items. The cashier can't reprice things, and is at risk of their job by doing so.

      Grease pencil on fabric..urk. Between spreading the colour, and the oils..mm. Most irritating. A section for hints like removing grease pencil from *!* might be an idea!

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  4. If Magic Eraser doesn't work you might have to decoupage something on top. You MUST have some really cute vintage wrapping paper that would work! Of course that means that you would actually have to **gasp* CUT into that cute wrapping paper! haha
    Erica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HAHAHA.. I don't see that happening unless I'm drunk. I can always place a nice vintage figurine or set of salt and pepper shakers on it if it doesn't come clean.

      Delete
  5. Do you use the Magic Eraser wet or dry? I have to make myself not buy books with the lineny type covers with grease pencil on them...never get it off without fading the cover! Grrr!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wet!

      I haven't tried it on this item yet. I don't want to ruin it. I'm g
      oing to try a tip I saw on Ask.com this weekend when I have a bit more free time.

      I hate the dreaded grease pencil!

      Delete
  6. Oh, this is a pet prevent of mine too. Unique thrift store (similar to v v and savers) is notorious for it. I think the workers do it on purpose. I hope you find a solution (and plz share your success!!)

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    Replies
    1. Gina.. I totally read pet peeve anyways, lol. I'm gonna give it a try & will definitely share the outcome.

      Delete
  7. Oops, pet peeve (sang autocorrect cell phone!)

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  8. Have you tried cleaning it yet? I would try letting corn starch sit on the spot over night to absorb as much of the grease as possible and then try a spot cleaner designed for grease and oil spots. I know that hair spray (probably the alcohol) is good for ink stains. I have not yet had the grease pencil on fabric problem but I know that discovering the problem would be highly frustrating. Good luck!

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  9. Hi All, so glad to have found this page!! I have the same issue with grease pencil, on bisque porcelain from Second Hand Rose in MI. They used it on the bottom of three Dept. 56 - Snow Baby statuess I recently found for $3.00 ea. Got them for my d-in-law, but cannot figure out how to remove the grease pencil from the bottom. Any ideas? I have tried the Dawn dish soap with a soft toothbrush, no luck there, actually did not touch it, HELP!!

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  10. WD40 works great on ceramics, glass, porcelain. On paper just rub with paper towel, changing to clean spot on towel often. When you have almost all of it off wet your finger, rub then wipe off the last of it with paper towel. Works like a charm!

    ReplyDelete
  11. WD40 works great on ceramics, glass, porcelain. On paper just rub with paper towel, changing to clean spot on towel often. When you have almost all of it off wet your finger, rub then wipe off the last of it with paper towel. Works like a charm!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Use acetone on grease pencil. I have heard it works beautifully!

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