adhesive removal

nbdh53 · #1 06-29-2011, 09:53 AM

What is the safest / best way to remove old decals or stickers that have been applied to a Kay bass without harming the finish?

cbrophy · #2 06-29-2011, 10:00 AM

Slowly warm up the sticker with a hair dryer, softening the glue. Peel the sticker off. Wipe of residue with Goo Gone...or, you can use Naptha. Then polish.

Vakmere · #3 06-29-2011, 10:05 AM

Goof Off

**younggun** · #4 06-29-2011, 10:09 AM

Power sander and sulfuric acid. Heheheh.

Seriously though, denatured alcohol would work too. I use it all the time to wipe down my basses with. Goof Off can leave a bit of an orange odor, but for some that's a plus.

Musiclogic · #5 06-29-2011, 10:18 AM

Actually Goo Gone has the Oarnge odor, Goof off is a solvent, and can damage the finish. Avoid the hairdryer IF it's a hollow body, if not, the above advice about warming them up, then using goo gone is the best I have found, and the oarnge smell is gone as soon as you clean and polish after removal is complete.

bassbenj · #6 07-01-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by younggun

Power sander and sulfuric acid. Heheheh.

Seriously though, denatured alcohol would work too. I use it all the time to wipe down my basses with. Goof Off can leave a bit of an orange odor, but for some that's a plus.

I would not use denatured alcohol as it can damage finishes (denatured with methanol). Personally I find goo gone (or naptha which I believe is what it is) best. (always test a solvent on a hidden part of finish first!) Just goo gone and a bunch of fingernail picking!

If you use any alcohol use some 91% isopropyl alcohol. (get it at any CVS pharmacy) It's used to clean electronics and is pretty mild on most plastics and finishes. (again test first!)

FunkyD · #7 07-01-2011, 12:21 AM

Spray some Pledge furniture polish around the edges of the stickers and let it sit for an hour or two. It will slowly - and safely - dissolve the adhesive it comes in contact with, working its way toward the center of the sticker until it can be peeled off easily. Give it another shot of Pledge to remove the remaining adhesive.

darkstorm · #8 07-01-2011, 12:23 AM

When Ive removed stickers and theres just little bit of sticky residue left over on the finish. Id peal them off best could then use razor to careflully remove any bits that didnt come off. For residue sticky Ive removed it quite easilly by simply applying a bit of wax (I use turtle car polsih for wax) and then rubbing it off. Has come off real easy this way. Then of course use diff clean cloth to polish area after the cleaning bit. I used to put various band decals on instruments. Then would later take them off when wanting to go back to decaless. Hardest part has been removal of decals and being careful with razor blade for any stubborn parts. Residue removal was easy with the wax.

magic papa · #9 07-01-2011, 12:25 AM

Be very careful with anything containing xylene (avoid). It is an ingredient in some "Goof-off" type fluids.

Dissolves the adhesive like there's no tomorrow, but causes mighty collateral too. I've got a pretty funked up Big Muff pedal that fell victim to this solvent.

Oren Hudson · #10 07-01-2011, 05:32 AM

Krud Kutter.

202dy · #11 07-01-2011, 07:39 AM

The adhesive used on labels must be dissolved. The two solvents are soap and water or naphtha. One or the other will do the trick. Both are safe on guitar finishes.

Alcohols will damage shellac (French Polish) finishes. While it is unusual to run across a French polished instrument it is best to err on the side of caution.

Pledge contains silicone. Silicone causes defects in touch ups and refinishing work. It transfers to everything in the shop on contact. It has no place in the luthiery shop. Not recommended.

john grey · #12 07-01-2011, 10:10 AM

I've had good results with naphtha. But regardless of what you're using, TEST in an inconspicuous place first!

Modern finishes are pretty bullet proof. The older the finish the more prone to sensitivities. TEST first. Stickers and decals are disgusting and ugly on a musical instrument and occasionally warming the area may be the only method to START the thing coming up. If that appears to be the issue, then NEVER hold the warming tool in place for any period of time. I have used a heat-gun to heat a towel.....AND USE THE TOWEL TO GET THE STICKER OFF. THIS IS OFTEN THE SAFEST WAY OF USING HEAT if you have a seriously delicate instrument (hollow body, etc) to work on. It's often best to assess the situation first as sometimes those stickers can pull the finish / lacquer, paint - right off with them.

EDIT:

IF it looks really bad.....I have had success by getting a veterinary hypodermic and very gently applying the glue solvent just under the sticker. I saw this on a "child-owned" $1000+ bass; but got the sticker off with no problems by working slowly.

tekdiver500ft · #13 07-01-2011, 10:20 AM

Zippo lighter fluid is a more readily found source of naphtha, and it's what I use to remove all my stickers. Never harmed the finish yet.

Pilgrim · #14 07-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Motsenbocker's Lift-Off is sold at ACE Hardware and is neutral to every finish I know of. Fantastic stuff!

slaphappychappy · #15 07-03-2011, 12:19 AM

there is a citrus spray that I have used. it is cheap, you spray it onto the sticker assuming it is a paper sticker, let it soften it and peel it off and it will usually take most of the adhesive with it, if not a wipe with a soft lint free cloth gets the last of it off.