No, You Cannot Has Nice Things
April 23, 2008
So...does anybody happen to have any tips for removing orange crayon from a brand-new camera's optical viewfinder and live-preview screen thing?
Just wondering.
(KILLMURDERHEADSMACK!)
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Shiiiitt. I just came to say that. Oh, and you can always write Heloise if the above suggestions don't work.
OMG. my stomach just dropped for you.
hey, i think everyone has covered the hints and tips...
but...
if you need somewhere to "store" it for awhile...let me know!
Love Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It removes everything and won't leave a film.
A microfiber cloth will work also. Crayon is so waxy it should be easy to come off.
Try spit
Most digital SLRs that plastic thing over the LCD screen on the back is designed to be a replaceable part. I don't know about Sony for sure but for Canon they're around $10 and it comes with the tool to remove the old one (OK, it's basically duct tape, but still). So even if the above suggestions don't work that's hopefully the backup plan.
Little bit of baby oil on some q-tips or a sock or something soft. When the crayon is gone, a little windex on the LCD to get rid of the oil.
BTDT. :)
Just wandered over from MamaPop - I'm so sorry about your camera!
Oh, crap. :p
Have you called the local camera repair shop? Perhaps they have some inexpensive tips.
Google it. That always seems to work unless it is something like 'ketchup on the ceiling'. That one stumped even Google. My teenager (the culprit) thought it was funny as hell. My hubby and I were not amused. Good luck!
I gasped and had to hold back tears after seeing this photo.
Hope you can wipe that off! It's only crayon anyway, right?
I didn't read through ALL The comments and count- but yea, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It gets just about everything.
Also? I'm having a hearty laugh at all of you that think not having nice things ends when you no longer have toddlers...
I did a quick google search on how to get crayon off of LCD screens and vinger and water, with a soft cloth was a common suggestion.
As was WD-40. But I'd stay away from glass cleaners...
Oh, I died a little seeing that picture. I vote microfiber cloth, they are safe for your camera. You could always call Sony and see what they recommend. You could do it anonymously so they will still invite you to the next swag-fest, or...tell them who you are and promise to blog about how toddler-proof their camera is. If the crayon comes off easily it could be a great selling point.
Yikes! So much for shiny new perfect toys. I agree with the microfiber cloth and using one of those long&Strong-thank-you-pregnancy-nails to work it.
http://www.crayola.com/canwehelp/staintips/index.cfm
This is a link that you should favorite, many solutions on removal of crayola products from various materials, etc. I have utilized it on several occasions, they do not have "a pet cat" as one of the surfaces listed for marker removal, fyi.
Alcohol.
My son did that to my brand new lap top when he was two. (except it was pen I think)
It was so great meeting you in La Jolla!
It's probably been mentioned, but if you wouldn't use it on your plastic eye glasses, don't use it on your camera. That includes Goo Gone (contains orange oil and KEROSENE), Windex, etc.
Any eye glass cleaning kit acceptable for plastic lenses should be safe for the plastic of the camera's LCD screen and view finger.
Be wary of micro fiber cloths - I tried one that was supposed to be safe for plastic on my Dad's less-than-one-week-old eye glasses.
The cloth scratched the shit out of them.
i would have said eucalyptus oil, which is like 50c for a 10litre bottle over here but I have vague recollections they try and swindle you lot and charge a lot more.
That and I don't want to be responsible for ruining it even more.
Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but acetone (or nail polish remover with acetone) and a cloth diaper should do the trick. I work in the optical world, and it's what we use to get factory no-line bifocal marks off eyeglass lenses without damaging them.
I have never had a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser fail me...not on crayon, not on pen, not on permanent marker.
Wow. That's a new toddler record. You've got to give him mad props for the speed in which he was able to hone in on his target of destruction.
I'm guessing that your little mister doesn't like the attention you are giving your new camera.
GASP! That is terrible. I would try the Mr. Clean Eraser thing, that this is like magic. I think someone mentioned it already.
Whatever you try, good luck!
Oh, that is just the saddest thing I've ever seen...so sorry.
We remodeled our house a few years ago. My (then 2 year old) son "found" one of the contractors pencils and decided to add his own touch to our newly painted walls...aaaawwwwwhhhh.
Good luck with whatever "hint" you try. For all it's worth, I agree with the oil-based ones.
Oh Good lord, I hope you called the company first! Sometimes they have things to reccommend....
Toothpaste, not gel, paste and not the gritty kind
oy...after panicking and downing a good glass or two of wine, I'd call Ritz, or a good local camera place. I'd be so afraid anything wet (oil, goo-gone, etc.) might work its way into your camera's innerds, and I'd be afraid that the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser might be too harsh on that viewing screen.
I would think a little spit and a microfiber cloth or something should do it. While they are all at it with the suggestions though, lip gloss off of leather interior applied artfully by a 2 year old? Oh and coffee from my laptop keyboard that sticks now, thankyouverymuch one year old? kthanks
I'm a really huge fan of Goo Off, but I don't know if I'd risk it on that screen. GOOD LUCK, i swear just looking at that picture puts knots in my stomach.
I'm also a big fan of google... a few years ago my friend and I were tossing a squeak toy around for my dog and a bad toss made the dog trip into an end table... which tipped a burning, bright blue candle over. The wax instantly hardened all over the (new) carpet. At my parents' house. We PANICKED. Google suggested laying paper towels over the mess, blasting it with a hairdryer, and blotting up the wax. Sounds ridiculous and it took FOREVER but it removed every last speck of wax.
Trust in the magic of google.
Nothing abrasive! Not toothpaste, and Magic Eraser worries me too. I'd suggest rubbing alcohol, either on one of those little wipes they come on or on a cotton ball. If that doesn't work ... try coffee (black and unsweetened, natch). Again on a very soft, non-abrasive medium. Good luck! And please let us know what works.
has Mommy been playing with the camera's too much? I once got totally consumed with an art project. I won't tell you what my 4 year old did to it, but it took more than baby oil and a soft cloth.
I love your Blog BTW.
NOAH NOOOOOOO!!!! (weeps)
i used to work in a physics lab where we used crayon and colored pencils to mark up all kinds of equipment. We got it all off with rubbing alcohol and kim wipes (super x-tra strength tissues)
I will swear that non acetone nail polish remover works on this stain. My 2 1/2 year old wrote with permanent marker on our new flat screen t.v. and I researched it on line and it was stated to use non-acetone nail polish remover. OH, and I am delurking for the first time (just to help you out). love your blog
I will swear that non acetone nail polish remover works on this stain. My 2 1/2 year old wrote with permanent marker on our new flat screen t.v. and I researched it on line and it was stated to use non-acetone nail polish remover. OH, and I am delurking for the first time (just to help you out). love your blog
DON'T use a Magic Eraser. They contain an abrasive so it may really REALLY ruin the screen. Try a microfiber cloth (you can get these at Walmart in the automotive section--called Bag of Rags). Maybe with a teeny oil too, just no solvents or abrasives. That really sucks. Totally something my kid would do. AARGH.
heh heh heh heh. Noah's all, New toy for me? No? Mommy's toy? NO!
ouchie.
Bwahahaha. I'm sorry. Not laughing at the screen, cuz God that sucks. But am laughing because my mom would say that on a regular basis in our house:
"I can't have ANYTHING nice!!!"
Thanks for the flashback. Good luck!
Oh, man. I don't have any advice, but I've said those exact words. And it was in regards to my new digital camera and a certain two-year-old I know. Arrgh.
Dude I think he wrote his name in Japanese. Cool!
If all else fails, I have a list of orphanages that would love to take a cute little Picasso! Oh, that would be my house, nevermind. ;)
This is what my husband says (he's very handy around the house, especially w/ electronics & anything to do w/ cleaning):
-NO on the Mr. Clean Eraser (too abrasive). It's good for walls, etc., but not on something like a camera
-NO on Goo Gone (it will melt plastic)
-rubbing alcohol & a very soft cloth are your best bet.
Oh, and he says, no matter what you try, make sure to test it on a small corner first.
Good luck!
Too funny, especially since mine used crayon in a similar fashion on the TV screen just the other day. I found scratching it off with your fingernail is the most effective.
Ohhhhh. Oh my!
I would try just a clean cloth first, and see if that helps the wax. And then just a tiny bit of plain alcohol or eucalyptus oil?
Don't use oils, solvents, liquids or abrasives. just a super gentle microfiber dust cloth (found at Target or or many other stores, but who shops anywhere but Target, I don't know) and rub gently.
Longtime reader here, didn't feel like reading through all of those comments to see if this is already suggested, but if it hasn't, try a pencil eraser gently. It has taken crayon of my lcd monitor before. Good luck!
Happened to me! Use a Mr. Clean Sponge. Make sure you ring it out well after you wet it so that it is almost dry again. It should work - it worked for me and just made it streaky and then I use monitor wipes to clean them off. Hope it works for you!
I love how you set the camera just so. The crayon marks are JUMPING OUT AT YOU!
Nice shot of that. Totally captures the bitter sadness of the moment.
No recommendations, though. You can't have a shot of vodka in your condition, so you may have to engage in retail therapy, such as diamonds or some such.
Wow. Just...wow.
I would stay away from anything too abrasive or chemicals that will damage the screen: NO nail polish remover. NO Mr Clean Magic Eraser NO Goo Gone. Because these will get rid of the crayon BUT they will also get rid of view finder.
I would start with a flannel cloth, then with some rubbing alcohol on a Q-Tip, then a little baby oil on a Q-Tip if the first two don't work.
And calling the company cannot hurt because I am sure that you are not the first to have to deal with this. Actually, I think that every company should have a toddler user group which tests products before they are finalized. Just have a room full of toddlers with crayons, pens, toilet bowls and peanut butter. Send a camera or cell phone in at one end and see what you've got left when it comes back out. Then tweak the design.
My kid will be happy to head up that group as she is not only good at destroying electronics that her father leaves around, but is also fabulous at directing other toddlers to do the same. There is a business model in there somewhere.