Furniture Stains From Old Permanent Markers

I like to take apart my old permanent markers that don’t write very well anymore and extract every last bit of pigment I can from them. There is still a lot of colour left in the felt core.

Once I get the pigment processed I use it as stains for wood, or to pigment my clear furniture wax.

Supplies

Old permanent markers in whatever colour you want.
Rubbing or grain alcohol (preferred)
Dish you don’t mind getting stained.
Rubber gloves
Scissors
Transparent wax finish
Paint brushes
Empty glass jar(s)

Step 1: Extracting the Pigment

1. Cut open the marker and pull out the felt core.

2. Cut down the side of the core exposing the felt.

3. Pour grain alcohol over the felt core releasing the pigment.

4. Pour enough grain alcohol over the felt until it turns pale.

5. Store in glass jar to keep for your future projects.

Step 2: How to Use the Stain

I find that the pigment mixes well with transparent wax which I used on this stool. It also works well as a straight stain to apply directly to the wood object.

In this case I needed to refurbish a stool I waxed several years ago.

In one jar I mixed enough red permanent marker solution to get a dark pink wax.
In another jar I mixed enough orange permanent marker solution to get a peachy-orange wax.
Then I applied thin layers of the pigmented wax until I reached the desired shades of pink and orange.
I let the wax dry between each coat.

That’s it! It’s that simple. I use up my markers completely and have an inexpensive way to decorate my wood furniture.