Best way of removing stickers from upright bass

HomeBrewTJ · #1 01-02-2009, 07:49 AM

After years and years of wanting an upright, I finally bought one this week- it is a used Engel EM1 that I bought from a friend of mine.

He has placed about 10-15 band stickers and bumper stickers mostly on the back and around the sides of the bass, and I am wondering what the best way is to remove them without marring the finish.

I haven't tried anything yet, so they might come off okay, but I know there's going to be some residue left. Can I use Goo-Gone or any type alcohol that won't harm the finish?

Any help or advice is appreciated!

Kenny

Andrew Jones · #2 01-02-2009, 07:58 AM

This came up in conversation with a e.bass luithier a while back. I think he said electrical cleaner, radio shack, lubing verity. I believe I double asked him about old fender e.bass laqure finish,Which is very fragile.

I'm having lunch with him today, I'll double check. Don't do anything Yet!

Aj

Paul Warburton · #3 01-02-2009, 08:14 AM

NO ALCOHOL!!!!
Try this....you may think I've finally gone over the edge.
Get some CREAMY peanut butter. Try it on one sticker only, to check if it's gonna work.....rub it into the sticker and the surrounding wood thoroughly, especially the edges. It WON'T damge the varnish or the wood. Let it soak in for a few hours, then start trying to work the sticker off slowly using moe PB on the edges as you go along.
Maybe Si, maybe No..........Let us know.

Then, go kick the **** outta' your friend for us.

VisualShock · #4 01-02-2009, 08:17 AM

i've always used lemon juice to clean the fret board on my BG. it's weak enough not to do any damage but just strong enough to bring the glue off. i bought my BG off someone who put a sticker right where the righty goes on the pickups, so it had to come off! it left a tiny bit of gunk but that came off in time...

Uncletoad · #5 01-02-2009, 08:26 AM

Sometimes a hair dryer on very low heat moving around a lot can loosen up the glue enough to pull the sticker off. Then use Naptha on a clean and smooth rag (like an old T shirt with nothing on it) to remove the remaining adheasive without damaging the finish.

Deepak · #6 01-02-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Sometimes a hair dryer on very low heat moving around a lot can loosen up the glue enough to pull the sticker off. Then use Naptha on a clean and smooth rag (like an old T shirt with nothing on it) to remove the remaining adheasive without damaging the finish.

I like to use lighter fluid as well. The hair dryer seems dangerous if you do it in the wrong order

HomeBrewTJ · #7 01-02-2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the advice, guys, I appreciate it.

I had never heard of using pb before- interesting- must be the oil?

I've removed stickers from electric basses and guitars by just pulling them off and cleaning up the residue with goo-gone, and there was no harm done. I just want to be a little more cautious with this guy, because I'm sure the finish is not nearly as thick as is on electric basses and guitars. Nothing is on the fb, so I don't have to worry about that, and luckily most of them are on the back, so if there is a little blemish, it's not the end of the world.

I like the hair dryer idea. I probably won't be able to do anything until tomorrow- I'll definitely post the results.

Kenny

Bentonrii · #8 01-02-2009, 08:55 AM

Zippo lighter fluid works for me.
Peace
Ben

Jazzdogg · #9 01-02-2009, 08:57 AM

I've had good luck using WD-40 to remove stickers and their stubborn adhesive from other surfaces, but never from a DB - should work, but test carefully. Did the original owner also have the action set high for slap-style playing?

HomeBrewTJ · #10 01-02-2009, 09:01 AM

Action's a little high, but it also has an adjustable bridge. Honestly, I've played electric bass for 15 years, and have almost no knowledge as to how the action should feel. Guess I just have to jump in and start playing. He did play a lot of slap, but I plan on playing bluegrass mainly.

Eli_Upright12 · #11 01-02-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

NO ALCOHOL!!!!
Try this....you may think I've finally gone over the edge.
Get some CREAMY peanut butter. Try it on one sticker only, to check if it's gonna work.....rub it into the sticker and the surrounding wood thoroughly, especially the edges. It WON'T damge the varnish or the wood. Let it soak in for a few hours, then start trying to work the sticker off slowly using moe PB on the edges as you go along.
Maybe Si, maybe No..........Let us know.

Then, go kick the **** outta' your friend for us.

For removing Duct tape and gum I've also had mayonnaise work, but Peanut Butter is really a magic solvent for whatever reason.

debassr · #12 01-02-2009, 09:13 AM

lunarpollen · #13 01-02-2009, 09:14 AM

I've always had great results by using Goo Gone, it works on just about any surface without any side effects. Sometimes it takes a little while, but in the end it always works.

http://www.magicamerican.com/googone.aspx

You can find this stuff anywhere

zeytoun · #14 01-02-2009, 10:54 AM

Goo gone is oil based (I think pretty much just mineral oil, IIRC). I've found that olive oil is a good substitute for removing stickers. Just not sure if it would interact with your varnish.

Eli_Upright12 · #15 01-02-2009, 11:05 AM

If goo gone is just mineral oil that would be good, mineral oil is what a lot of people use to polish their basses anyways.

Michael Case · #16 01-02-2009, 11:45 AM

Doesn't an Engel have a poly finish? If so you could use anything you want on that puppy cause poly finishes are indestructible.

I like the zippo fluid idea, I'd just add a lit match and you're good to go.

Andrew Jones · #17 01-02-2009, 11:54 AM

Talked to my Buddyn (a e,bass luithier) ,,,, He said turpentine.

Aj

Uncletoad · #18 01-02-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Jones

Talked to my Buddyn (a e,bass luithier) ,,,, He said turpentine.

Aj

If it's polyurethane that would be fine however if it is Lacquer or something waterbased the Turpentine might be a bit aggressive.

Can't get into trouble with naptha and elbow grease.

HomeBrewTJ · #19 01-02-2009, 12:56 PM

Thanks again all. It is the original finish on a ~5 year old Engelhardt, and I'm not exactly sure what that is to be honest.

Jake deVilliers · #20 01-02-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Can't get into trouble with naphtha and elbow grease.

I have a gallon can of White Gas under the bench at Long & McQuade for removing the stickers from the rental fleet. Some of the teachers seem to encourage the kids to 'make the violin your own' with bunny stickers, sparkly dots, cartoon characters - grrrr!

I use mineral oil on the ones on the fingerboard so as not to remove the 'ebony' at the same time!