Removing Printing from PVC Pipe

skeezix · Dec 6, 2024

I bought some 1" Sch 40 PVC pipes from Charlotte Pipe and I want to remove all the printing on the pipes. I tried using paint thinner but it didn't touch it. Then I went to charlottepipe.com to ask for help but I found that I had to give my life's history before I could leave a message, and I of course didn't want to do that.

How can I remove the printing from the pipe?

Twowaxhack · Dec 6, 2024

Pvc cleaner

Geofd · Dec 6, 2024

If it's not yet installed turn the writing up

Twowaxhack · Dec 6, 2024

Geofd said:
If it's not yet installed turn the writing up

I don’t think he’s using it for plumbing.

pasadena_commut · Dec 6, 2024

There all sorts of organic solvents which would dissolve a dye, but a lot of them are going to weaken the PVC. Isopropyl alcohol would be at the safer end of the spectrum. Acetone will definitely damage the pipe but if used as a quick wipe on a cloth the damage may not be enough to matter. The same can be said of a lot of other solvents, especially the more volatile ones. Here is the chemical compatibility table for PVC:

https://www.calpaclab.com/pvc-polyvinyl-chloride-chemical-compatibility-chart/

There may be chemical reactions which would break a bond or two in the dye and make it colorless. However, without knowing what the dye is, that would be very hit and miss. Some of those reactions are again going to chew up the PVC, and again, if it is just a thin layer of liquid which doesn't hang around long, the damage may not be enough to matter.

The writing could be removed mechanically, for instance with (fine) sand paper.