How do sharpies work

Choose another color and make more dots. The circle of color should be about the size of a quarter. Now slowly squeeze about 20 drops of rubbing alcohol into the center of the circle of dots. Drip the rubbing alcohol really slowly. What do you see happening to the ink? Let the ink dry for about 5 minutes and then you can move the cup to a different part of the shirt. When you are done making colorful circles put the shirt in the dryer for about 15 mintues to set the colors.

The permanent ink of Sharpie pens is hydrophobic. It will not dissolve in water. The permanent ink WILL dissolve in rubbing alcohol though. That is why the colors "run" to make the pretty pattern.

Try this method of tie dying with different kinds of markers and pens. Test whether the ink in the pens is soluable or hydrophobic. HINT: the word "washable" would be a clue to help you guess the answer to that question. Then try using the rubbing alcohol. Can you find an ink that will not dissolve in water OR rubbing alcohol?

You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. Chemistry is nature's magic. With it you can learn to do amazing things, like make erupting volcanoes and and fizzy exploding ziplocs. Sharpies are a must have in any family household, how else are you going to label your children's names in their school uniform?

But Sharpies can be ridiculously expensive. More often than not, the tip of the marker is simply dried out. So here's how can you refresh your Sharpie and make it good as new? Highlighters are a staple for lots of students, teachers and anyone else hoping to remember an important piece of written information.

However, carelessly leaving the cap off a highlighter can lead to the tip drying out. You can bring the highlighter tip back to life -- providing there is still fluid in the marker -- with a simple dousing in rubbing alcohol. How to revive dried out pens, sharpies and highlighters.

Home Blog Back to Blog. Soak the pen If your pen has dried out, one of the first steps you should take is soaking the pens in hot water. Forced air Simply blowing a little air down the pen could then perhaps force ink to the end of the pen and perhaps get it to work.

Scraping method If that doesn't work, you should then remove the dried ink that is clogging up the nib by rubbing your pen on the bottom of your shoe, a damp cloth or an emery board. Pen to a flame You need to be care when doing this step as you could melt the pen and ruin it. Rod it out Use a straightened out paper clip and a drop of nail varnish remover to clear out the dried ink clogging up the ink cartridge. Sharpies Sharpies are a must have in any family household, how else are you going to label your children's names in their school uniform?

Let it sit until you see a little ink running out into the alcohol. Then, cap your marker and let it sit for 15 minutes before using it again. The next time you put pen to paper, your Sharpie should be working perfectly! Although a fine-tipped Sharpie is pictured here, this trick will work on thicker Sharpies and other brands of permanent markers, too.

But for a quick fix, this is the perfect tip to save a perfectly good Sharpie from the trash. Highlighters Highlighters are a staple for lots of students, teachers and anyone else hoping to remember an important piece of written information. Label Makers Review Essential must haves in every office. Sign in with. Remember me. Sign in. Forgot password? Create account. Two Step Login. Please provide username.