Can Biro be removed?

[Luckyjo]

Thanks for the laugh Woody32..I reckon she meant about the biro!!
Bill I think you have polished old Enoch up a treat. I'm intrigued about his looks. He doesn't look like the hard man he was.
just thought I would add at his funeral everyone was laughing and singing..even gran, that says a lot doesn't it?!

[molly90]

Bill,
That wash and polish is terrific.   Its a great gift to be able to bring a person to life, like that.

Molly

[billkent]

Thank you Molly, your words are much appreciated.

Bill.

[wendypusey]

Late one from me.

Wendy

[Luckyjo]

Thanks Wendy, I love how you have his eyes, which were blue. Can't believe how clever you all are.
Many thanks Joy

[bradleyt]

I would think the photo is around 1902 era or so. Without further details about your grandfather it may be hard to get a better idea of the date. As far as the biro goes your best best is digital removal as chemical may very well destroy the photo.

[joboy]

If you really want to try removing the ink from the original photo then your concern would be damaging the face thereon.
So you could try,on an unimportant part of the photo (right at the bottom for example) a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud used very gently to see if the photo is affected and if not it could be used on his face I would think.
It evaporates very quickly and I doubt if it would penetrate very far.
Methylated Spirits in OZ is without any colouration (which would do the job) and I remember that 'metho' in UK used to be coloured pale mauve (to discourage drinkers I think) and it may not be suitable if it is still sold in coloured form.
Anyway try it on an unimportant part of the photo to see.
joboy

[Luckyjo]

Thanks for your help Bradleyt. My grandfather was born in1868 and served in the navy for 21 years..So that's not a bad guess. I would have no idea.
Joboy, I took your advice and tried some clear metho on a cotton bud but after trying it just lightly a couple of times I panicked because the area started to look really pale. I was afraid I would loose the outline of the face. As you say it does dry very quickly.
Glad to say a couple of people in the forum have done a wonderful job with my photo so will actually use those for my genealogy records. Thanks so much to you all for all the help and advice. Joy

[jc26red]

another one from me...

agree with Pru, best to just preserve the original and leave the restoring to a digital copy

Jenny

added a sepia one too