My collection of erasers

Just as there are countless ways to skin a cat, there are many ways to get rid of pencil lines.  Not each method is good in every case – you must pick the right one for the stage your pysanka is in.

Avoidance:

This may seem obvious, but the best way to avoid having pencil lines is to not make them in the first place.  When you draw lines on your egg, draw only the minimum necessary, and not every minute detail of the design.  And use a medium (#2) to soft pencil to draw the lines, as they are easier to remove.

Soap:

Ivory dish soap can safely be used to wash an egg, and it will usually remove all surface crud, including pencil marks, in the process.  This is not the method of choice for removing pencil marks, but might come in handy if you have a lots of marks to erase, or a special egg (goose, duck, etc.) that you’ve messed up the design on and want to start over. 

Put a drop or two of Ivory (classic scent only) on the egg, and use a wet sponge or washcloth (soft type) to gently rub away the pencil marks.  Rinse very well. Afterward, soak the egg briefly in a vinegar rinse to restore the pH.

Water:

In a pinch, a little bit of water on a pice of tissue or paper towel can be used to rub away a stray pencil mark.  Rubbing too hard can damage the egg’s cuticle, so don’t use this method if others are available.

Erasers: 

An art gum or white architect’s eraser (see examples in photo above) can be used to erase pencil lines.  Do not rub very hard, as you might rub off the dye or scratch the cuticle of the egg and cause unsightly marks.  Ordinary “pink” erasers may erase well, too, but I worry about their leaving pink residue (especially older ones, as they get quite dry and hard) or scratching more. The eraser at the end of your pencil is probably the worst possible choice, as it leaves red marks, and gets dry and scratchy quite quickly.

I use the white erasers routinely to remove pencil marks from the white areas of my completed pysanky, especially my snowflake pysanky, and find that they do a very good job of pencil line removal.

I would avoid use an eraser if you are still in process of dyeing, as even the softest and newest eraser can potentially damage the cuticle and keep subsequent dyes from taking properly!  Others have pointed out to me that they use erasers without causing any damage; I simply don’t feel it’s worth taking a chance.

Goof-Off Wipes:

I consider these wipes the greatest invention since sliced bread.  They are wet wipes that remove pencil marks from any surface like magic.  (Please note that they are not the same thing as Goof Off liquid, which is an organic solvent useful for removing wax.) 

I now use them to routinely wipe down my pysanky after I am done applying wax to the white shell. Pencil lines will show up through later colors, except for the very dark ones like black or royal blue, and they are more difficult to remove once an egg has been dyed.

Pencils lines being removed with a Goof-Off wipe

I really like these wipes, and have gotten into the habit of wiping down all my pysanky when I finish waxing on white and before putting the egg into the vinegar rinse. I reuse the wipes until they shred in my hands.  They dry out quickly, but I have found that adding a bit of water to them (or to the entire cannister) is all that is needed to make them perfectly functional again.

When should you use these wipes?

In any event, if you see a lot of marks on your pysanka after you’re done applying the wax to the white shell, it might be worthwhile to remove them, unless you really need them to complete your design.

In this case, I use Goof-Off Wipes (they use a water-based cleanser) and wipe down the egg well after I have finished writing the pattern in wax on the white egg.  This will remove the pencil from the areas that will be colored.  After using the wipes, I let the egg dry and then put it briefly into a vinegar rinse before dyeing.

Since these wipes are water-based, they won’t harm the wax lines, but can remove the dye. DO NOT use them on colored/dyed eggs. (Please note that you cannot use regular Goof Off before the wax is removed, as it will remove wax and destroy your pattern.)

Once I am finished with the pysanka and have removed the wax, there may still be pencil lines in the white areas.  In order to remove these lines remove those lines, I use the other techniques listed on this page.  I usually simply erase them with an eraser, but sometimes take them off with heat dissolution.

Heat Dissolution: 

If you find there are still lines left after you’ve removed the wax, it is worth giving it a second go.  Re-cover the problem area with wax or paraffin (“flood” the area with a wide stylus, or drip directly from a candle), and then, once the wax has hardened, heat it over a candle and wipe.  Graphite, which pencil “lead” is made of, will dissolve in the hot wax. This should remove all but the most stubborn lines.

A related technique involves using olive oil.  Coat the egg with a bit of olive oil, and then proceed to remove the wax as you normally would. The olive oil will, when heated, help to dissolve and remove the beeswax and pencil lines.

Keep in mind, though, that there are perils to using a candle to remove wax – scorching and soot deposition. Other methods of heat removal – oven, heat gun, microwave (empty shells only!!!!!!!!) – might be better for those with unsteady hands or little experience.  

Chemical Dissolution:

Pencil lines can sometimes be removed using Goo-Gone, an inexpensive citrus-scented organic solvent.  It’s not the best method, or even a particularly good one, but it is sometimes a useful adjunct.  Goo-Gone is best used for the removal or residual wax and soot – it performs these tasks admirably. 

To use, hold the egg in the palm of your hand, put a few drops of Goo Gone on it , and roll the egg around to coat it evenly.  Use a glove (chemicals can be toxic).  Wait a few minutes to let it work, and then gently dry it with a tissue.  Do not rub very hard – you might rub off the dye!

There are people who swear by Ronsonol lighter fluid, which is simply liquid butane. I’ve never used it myself.  They put a little bit on a tissue, and gently rub the pencil lines to remove them.  As with other organic solvents, this is a combustible substance, and potentially toxic, so use it with care, and avoid heat and open flames!  As with Goo GOne, rubbing too hard can rub off your dyes.

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