Graphite remover?

11-26-2003, 10:11 PM

Through an awful quirk of kiddie fate, a new painting was scribbled upon. The area is about 3 x 4 inches, loose but definite graphite marks, about a 4B, I think. The painting is dry to the touch but only a few days old.

Can I get rid of it? Do I:

a. Wait another week or two of curing, then gently rub with a turp-soaked lint-free cloth?

b. Immediately do above rubbing, and hope for the best on losing layers?

c. Some other wizardry?

It wasn't a masterpiece or anything, but I'd sure like to keep it anyway. The kid too. Any help you can offer is appreciated!

Thanks
Lisa

Margaret Port · 11-27-2003, 08:48 AM

Hi Lisa

I recently purchased a cleaning block (which I can't find at the moment) (so it remains nameless) It is a bag made a fine mesh material filled with powdered rubber which is the same material as the cubed yellowish rubbers which crumble into chunky pieces when you use them. I bought it at an art supply store. Picture framers and graphic artists use these blocks to clean up smudges and dirty fingerprints from their work.
Anyway the way to use this (mystery )product is to leave the painting until it is dry and then you squeeze or shake some of the powder out of the bag onto the part you want to clean and it is supposed to absorb it. You could help it by lightly brushing but you don't rub it with your fingers or it will leave a smeary mark. You brush it or blow it off.

I am now going off to clean up my messy art room so I can find this item so I can get back on here and tell you it's name.

Sorry, I'm trying to be helpful. Anyway you shouldn't touch the painting yet, so that gives me a few days to sort the chaos.

Regards Margaret

Jeff Fuchs · 11-27-2003, 11:37 AM

We used those in high school drafting class. Blick sells them.

Here's a link:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz129/81/pr...am=0&ig_id=932

11-27-2003, 11:46 AM

Oh great, we have one of those. My husband studied interior design and we have a whole mess of graphics tools. Neat! Thanks, I'll let you know how it works out.

Margaret Port · 11-28-2003, 11:55 AM

Yes! That's what it is called
A powdered gum eraser!

How do you spell Alzheimers?

No I haven't found the stupid thing yet. Art rooms are awfully hard to clean up, there are so many UFOs to distract from the task.

Thank goodness for Jeff.