Remove sticky after sticky labels

WD40 or White Spirit?

Tom

I've seen WD40 recommended for this before. But won't it normally mark whatever the label is on, eg wood or cardboard?

I usually use lighter fuel, but have heard of "Sticky stuff remover" mentioned before, but never needed it personally!

I have a range of solvents, staring with water, then methylated (surgical) spirits going uup through petrol, cigarrette lighter fuel, MEK (cellulose thinners) and finishing with acetone (nail varnish remover).

possibility of plastic attack increases with each one.

I found that MEK is ideal for getting molten chewing gum off cutlery. SHE will shove it in the sink on the plates with the washing up..

In message , JMS writes

Err ...

Label remover?

Google it

Maplin, RS and CPC all sell it

I thought that MEK had been taken off the market nearly 20 years ago.

Is this the real methyl ethyl ketone that is absorbed through the skin and affects the kidneys? If so, where can I get it in small quantities (1L etc)

Dave

In article , JMS writes

The successful benign label removal products all appear to have citrus oil in common, look or google for 'citrus oil' and/or 'label remover' and you should find low cost generic stuff to do the job.

Snowboard de-waxing products are about the ultimate concentrated product in this respect.

Use detergent to remove the any oily residues.

Timothy Murphy wibbled on Monday 09 August 2010 22:37

I've had a lot of success with surgical spirit and reasonable success (ie

My peeve is B&Q sticking non easy peel paper labels all over ABS waste pipes because either the paper is right where you want a joint or it is somewhere on show...

In message , Tim Watts writes

The problem with IPA is the evaporation rate

LR lingers for much longer

Er, the proper stuff ?

geoff wibbled on Tuesday 10 August 2010 00:36

Reckon that must be it. I've noticed 2-3 repeated applications of IPA has the gum going soft in about 1/2 minute, but of course one application would have long disappeared.

I wouldn't buy IPA specifically for this job, it's just I always have it around and seldom have anything else - well, not since they banned carbon tet :-o

I should acquire some acetone though - sounds handy. I know, I'll ask Boots. They thought I was a terrorist when I asked if they could order IPA (partly because non of them knew what it was).

In message , Arfa Daily writes

Dunno. cellulose thinners. Might be xylene I suppose

The Natural Philosopher wibbled on Tuesday 10 August 2010 01:31

Pretty sure my foam gun cleaner says xylene, which makes that a readily available source of something potent...

In message , JMS writes

Goo Gone?

You've tried petrol already? That's my "solvent of last resort" for any sticky labels that won't come off with meths/white spirit. It seems to be particularly effective against a certain type of printer label that's been stuck for long periods of time.

Yessir ! Right away sir ! Just 'elpin out wiv a link sir !

Arfa

Lighter fuel is better as it doesn't have all the yukky additives that leave an oily residue. You can use lighter fuel for the sticky left behind on shed timber without staining or marking the timber.