Removing felt tip without damaging the finish

[uk_lefty]

I bought a 1984 Aria SB that needs some restoration in order to learn about tweaking, minor repairs and set ups. It arrives tomorrow. First job, some plank has written on it in some sort of felt tip pen on the headstock... The bit I can't just remove the finish from because of the logo and the headstock writing. Any tips for removing felt tip pen marks without damaging the finish? 

Thank you 

[KK Jale]

My first attempt would be with Virtuoso cleaner. 

[AndyTravis]

Hairspray.

Hand Sanitiser gel.

[pete.young]

If someone has drawn on a whiteboard with a permanent marker, it's possible to draw over the top of it with a non-permanent whiteboard marker and then wipe the whole lot off. This might work on a lacquered or varnished piece of wood - maybe make up a test piece before trying it on the real thing?

[gary mac]

I would probably use white spirit. 

[Paul S]

2 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

. First job, some plank has written on it in some sort of felt tip pen on the headstock...

Something like this?

[uk_lefty]

Thanks, I'll use the household stuff I've got first and see how it goes! 

[uk_lefty]

1 hour ago, Paul S said:

Something like this?

God no! 

[hooky_lowdown]

I've used wd40 to remove a logo from a headstock before, though the logo didn't have a clear coat over it. Worked really well, or as mentioned white spirit would also do the job. 👍

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I doubt an 80s strat would have a lacquer finish so all of the suggestions so far should be safe on a poly finish. Lighter fluid is great for getting rid of stubborn sticker residue so might also work for marker pen ink.

[Osiris]

Wet wipes may well work. I once used some to clean some molten tar off the car bonnet that some kids had chucked on there on a stinking hot day. They cleared it all off without affecting the paintwork. 

[HowieBass]

I use metal polish to get rid of all manner of residue/marks on a variety of surfaces. 

[uk_lefty]

So I managed this very easily with some dettol spray and a cloth. And cleaned the whole bass while I was at it. Very glad I could do that, now a clean headstock on my project bass. I'm doing a restoration diary elsewhere in this section of the forum if anyone wants to go "NOOOOOOOO!" before I do something catastrophic to this already mistreated bass.