removing sharpie marker form bluesotne

[containercabin]

I bought a 3ftx3ft piece to use as hearth and my wife wanted to use the 'smooth side' so after placing this 250lb rock in place (by myself... it was fun as you can imagine) we cleaned up the dust form it and found numbers written on it with a black sharpie.

Any ideas on how I remove it without staining the rock?

[akwoodchuck]

Start with something gentle, like baby wipes, and move up to progressively stronger measures as needed....(lacquer thinner, acid, etc.)
Do a test patch  in an inconspicuous area before proceeding.

[stricsm]

Isopropyl alcohol removes Sharpie from smooth surfaces.  If that doesn't work, try ethanol preferably 200 proof.  If it is soaked in the grain, you may have to saturate.

[containercabin]

Thank you! will try

[containercabin]

Goof off and Isopropyl alcohol didn't work.

Next I'll try acetone and if all fails - I'll have to sand the stone. Any tips on doing that?

[rick91351]

Goof off and Isopropyl alcohol didn't work.

Next I'll try acetone and if all fails - I'll have to sand the stone. Any tips on doing that?

I next would try

Isopropyl alcohol removes Sharpie from smooth surfaces.  If that doesn't work, try ethanol preferably 200 proof.  If it is soaked in the grain, you may have to saturate.

Then while I was doing that - letting it saturate.  Then I would go to the Sharpie web site.  Read around there and if nothing I would contact them via phone or e-means......  My guess it is stained into the rocks grain and it is there.     Did you contact the place you purchased it from or try and return it?