Need a reef-safe way to clean ink off PVC.

glb · Mar 30, 2016

I just bought white PVC for my build and it's covered with ink markings on the outside. I googled methods for cleaning this off but am not sure they would be safe in a reef tank. I saw that some people use acetone, others a soft abrasive (like Bon Ami), PVC cleaner (which sounds toxic) and plain old sandpaper. What methods does everyone recommend?

143MPCo · Mar 30, 2016

Acetone will clean it off, homedepot or lowe's is your best bet, stay away from the stuff offered at drugstore some have perfume added.

glb · Mar 30, 2016

143MPCo said:
Acetone will clean it off, homedepot or lowe's is your best bet, stay away from the stuff offered at drugstore some have perfume added.

Thanks. I'm assuming pure acetone and some elbow grease?

Duke4Life · Mar 30, 2016

glb said:
Thanks. I'm assuming pure acetone and some elbow grease?

Yes

kschweer · Mar 30, 2016

If you get clear pvc primer that will work as well.

glb · Mar 30, 2016

kschweer said:
If you get clear pvc primer that will work as well.

Is that less labor intensive?

143MPCo · Mar 30, 2016

glb said:
Is that less labor intensive?

about the same, it will come off easy and FWIW 60-80% of primer is Acetone.

Duke4Life · Mar 30, 2016

Acetone on most things will wipe markers away with ease. I use it to clean a variety of things.

kschweer · Mar 30, 2016

It should wipe off fairly easily with it. I would say about the same as acetone. The nice part is you can just buy 1 product. Use it to clean the writing off and to prime your pvc before gluing

glb · Mar 30, 2016

If I decided to paint some of the PVC with krylon fusion for aesthetics, would the ink show through?

ReeferBob · Mar 31, 2016

I think alcohol will take the writing off as well.

Jlobes · Mar 31, 2016

glb said:
If I decided to paint some of the PVC with krylon fusion for aesthetics, would the ink show through?

yes it will, unless you prime and apply a few coats.

Acetone works great, and is super easy. Takes off 90% of the markings with little to no effort. Sure PVC primer may work, but its much more costly than pure acetone, so may as well just buy two products.

don_chuwish · Apr 2, 2016

Plus, if you plan to spray paint the PVC, the acetone does a nice job of prepping the surface for it. Don't worry about it being unsafe for the tank - it all evaporates away quickly. But DO worry about it being unsafe for you - make sure it's a well ventilated area and/or use a proper VOC mask. Same with when doing the spray painting.