Removing 'invisible' ink from GW690III and GSW690III

[floydking]

Hi!
I know this is a daft question to have to ask, but I recently wrote my postcode on both my GW690III and my GSW690III with 'Jessops' supposed 'invisible ink'. Thinking that this would be as invisible as advertised I was stupid enough to scrawl largely on both camera bodies. Now, I proudly stalk the streets with my postcode shining brightly on both cameras challenging only my bald head for prominence - comical, or what!
Does anybody know how to remove this stuff please? I have put it both on the 'handle' and the main part of the body - yes I know 'Who's a silly boy then' LoL! 😕

 

[floydking]

Unfortunately I think they presume that the buyer will want to leave it on.Thanks for the suggestion, 'I think I'll take a swig of liquid bravery and try it' - he replied nervously! 😱

 

[BJ Bignell]

It's too bad that this happened. 🙁 I'm not familiar with the cameras, but if the bodies are covered in any vulcanite or other porous material, it may be non-removable. Do let us know how it turns out, though.

 

[XAos]

They may not provide removal instructions, even if its as simple as spit, as I'm betting the primary customer is someone attempting to provide theft deterent to their items. Whether or not it works well, it would undermine their sales pitch.

 

[clarence]

Sometimes I wonder whether Jessops has made a net reduction of the general enjoyment of photography in the UK.

Clarence

 

[Ash]

Jessops is my most hated of all UK photographic retailers. I try to use them as little as possible.

The irony is my b&w developing equipment was bought second hand from another shop, and it is jessops-branded. Can't win!

good luck with the removal. try water... then soapy water, then maybe some of that 'vanish' stain remover for clothes. ANYTHING non-alcoholic or abrasive. I'd exhaust those options before you go for alcohol/spirits.

 

[zuikologist]

Try a large soft pencil rubber - a high quality pure Indial rubber from a good artist store with no abrasive material in it. I have used the same to remove invisible ink from a lens barrel. The invisible ink gets into the microscopic indentations in the paint finish and you need something that gets into those areas. Don't be vigorous and go gently and slowly, making sure no pieces of the rubber get into the camera. Good luck.

 

[Ash]

ah yea! well try all sorts, as putty rubbers are made to suck up different things. I guess you could try an ink rubber, pencil rubber, or putty-rubber. i'd make sure to wipe the surface after using a putty rubber though, as they may leave a residue if you aren't careful

 

[clarence]

I wouldn't use water on it, as it might get into inconvenient areas and cause rusting. I keep my camera equipment as far away from moisture as possible.

Clarence

 

[floydking]

Hi again Guys!
This one took me a while to solve though I seem to have arrived there in the end. I tried all that had been suggested, so thanks for the ideas.

After failing to succeed with an ordinary rubber I eventually found a square piece of sponge stuff in an old pencil case, one side was blue and kind of sealed with plastic while the other was just sponge. I rubbed the affected areas slowly with this at first and then a little more vigorously, making certain as I went that no harm was being done. The strange thing is that the blue 'sealed' side seemed to work a little better than the ordinary sponge side. This has certainly taken the shine off (I shall have to use it on my head!) and all but made it disappear. I'm sure with a little more perseverance I could remove it completely.

So many thanks to 'Zuikologist' and Ash for giving me their slightly abrasive😱 ideas.

Needless to say I received zilcho help from Jessops, but nevermind they had already lost a customer when they kicked out most film cameras. I'm not sure if they have been ignorant, or if they didn't have an answer. My best guess tells me that that these possibilities are probably both correct.

Anyway I'm able to sleep at nights again now,🙂 as I race around with my Leica and Yash Minister D for a little 'lighter' work during the day.

Thanks again

Gra (Floyd)