Sticker removal on a nitro finish

slapmachine · #1 03-11-2012, 03:53 PM

Well guys, I now have a spot the size of about two of my fingers side-by-side where I tried to remove a sticker with Goof Off, and it just took the top part of the finish off my bass. I'm really beside myself since it's my favorite bass, and I know it was incredibly dumb to put a sticker on there, but I liked it, and now I don't, and I didn't really plan ahead. It was intended to be a car decal, so the adhesive is pretty thick, and it spanned about the area of a good sized hand on the back of my bass. Now that I've taken the advice of many others, and used Goof Off, and it permanently f#$%ed up the finish on my main axe, do you guys have any other advice?

Best regards,

Brooks

PlayTheBass · #2 03-11-2012, 04:00 PM

Oh man, that sucks. So is there still part of the sticker on there? I've found mineral spirits to always work well in removing sticker adhesive without damaging the underlying finish. The old caveat of trying it first in a hidden spot is always best, even if means taking some hardware off the bass to get to a hidden spot.

Sounds like you need some help with touching up the finish now.

CrewsControl · #3 03-11-2012, 04:03 PM

Cover it up with a sticker.

/runs for cover

Slowgypsy · #4 03-11-2012, 04:26 PM

Sorry to hear that. Goof Off is really strong stuff. In future use Naptha or Lighter Fluid. They're essentially the same stuff, and Lighter Fluid is easy to find in your local hardware store. It's a gentle solvent that will remove labels and the adhesive and not mess with the finish.

Did the Goof Off actually remove the finish or just make it really dull and visible? If it didn't actually remove the finish, but just dulled it, you can probably buff it out and get it close to where it used to be.

SBassman · #5 03-11-2012, 04:30 PM

How about Goo Be Gone? I don't know off hand if it will damage the finish or not. But that might be the ticket.

At this point, you might as well use Anything to get the sticker off, since you're probably going to be refinishing the area anyway.

Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. It's aesthetic only, and it now becomes a part of the history of the instrument. Let it be. It's now unique - no one else can buy a bass exactly like yours.

Reigninblood · #6 03-11-2012, 04:37 PM

I wouldn't sweat It. Find a new sticker :-) Stickers on instruments is still cool in my book.

slapmachine · #7 03-11-2012, 06:36 PM

Thanks for the advice and support guys. I appreciate it deeply. As far as refinishing the bass, that probably wont happen because that's A. Very costly & B. the bass has some mojo from being played for years, but it's in the places that you want it to be lol.

In the end, it's really not life or death because the bass sounds the same, and I guess if it's on the back, I should worry even less. Nonetheless, I'm not concerned about value because I hate to buy a bass as an investment rather than a piece of musical expression.

Best regards,

Brooks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Sorry to hear that. Goof Off is really strong stuff. In future use Naptha or Lighter Fluid. They're essentially the same stuff, and Lighter Fluid is easy to find in your local hardware store. It's a gentle solvent that will remove labels and the adhesive and not mess with the finish.

Did the Goof Off actually remove the finish or just make it really dull and visible? If it didn't actually remove the finish, but just dulled it, you can probably buff it out and get it close to where it used to be.

The finish got incredibly dull, which is, as in understand, the way that nitro behaves when it gets beaten up. The patch looks currently like the top contour where my arm sits, and all that paint is dull and worn.

walterw · #8 03-11-2012, 06:50 PM

naphtha to remove the rest of the glue without hurting anything else, then maybe vigorous buffing to shine the dulled finish back up.

bassman10096 · #9 03-11-2012, 06:56 PM

If the finish is not worn (or dissolved) through, you can repolish it to match the area around. I'd probably use some white (not red) auto polishing compound. First, check that the finish is still intact - just dulled. Next, if any adhesive or sticker bits are left, mineral spirits should take them off. Let this dry overnight, then wet a cloth and gently rub a little bit of compound on the spot. Polish gently till the shine matches the surrounding area. Or else, don't take chances and just do nothing -

Next time, be careful to take advice only from experts and remember that nitro is pretty fragile and subject to any kind of solvent. Good luck

slapmachine · #10 03-11-2012, 09:42 PM

WD40 did it guys. Bassman10096, I did consult several guitar techs via phone, and I got different opinions from everyone lol. I finally called the guitarist in my band who is a solid guy, and he said WD40 without a doubt. There is the damage where the Goof Off was used, but the WD40 got the rest off without a hitch even on the nitro.

Best regards,

Brooks

walterw · #11 03-11-2012, 09:52 PM

now you just need the naphtha to get the WD-40 off of there

f64 · #12 03-11-2012, 09:59 PM

For future reference adhesives, including those left by stickers, can be easily removed by using - don't laugh- peanut butter. It dissolves the adhesive and is easily washed off.

walterw · #13 03-11-2012, 10:03 PM

been using naphtha for a decade plus now, it works perfectly on all kinds of grease, glue and gunk, and doesn't hurt even old lacquer finish. anything else is a "home remedy".