Removing ink from marble

An outdoor Knoxville Marble sculpture was recently vandalized with a
black felt tip pen.  To date I have been able to reduce the stain
using acetone based solvent gels with and without benzyl alcohol.
The one without the alcohol works better.  Hydrocarbon solvents have
little or no effect.  A chlorinated based paint stripper removes
some, but leaves the area dull gray/white, and I am concerned about
chlorides penetrating the stone. Non-chloride paint stripper does
not work.  The stained surface is vertical, and there is concern
that a non-gel or poultice will drive the stain further into the
stone. Any advice on other options would be appreciated.

Suzanne Hargrove


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:35
                 Distributed: Monday, October 29, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-15-35-023
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