Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: Ghost in the shell on August 20, 2007, 05:13:37 pm

Title: sticker residue removal
Post by: Ghost in the shell on August 20, 2007, 05:13:37 pm
You know those really tacky stickers that come with RTR and RTS models, often in Chinglish, Jinglish , Korenglish, or a host of jazzy colours that if removed from the model would improve it, well when you remove them, they often leave behind a residue.

try using WD40 to remove that said residue, works a treat ;D
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 20, 2007, 05:52:19 pm
Try paraffin instead, just dab it on sticker, leave for five mins then lift sticker off intact. Wipe off paraffin with tissue... job done and no oily WD40 residue. O0
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on August 20, 2007, 05:53:14 pm
Personally I would NOT NOT NOT do this as WD 40 contains SILICON which is the kiss of death to applying paint on a hull afterwards,what you should really use is either a product by 3m called graffiti remover or good old fashioned panel WIPE which of course you all use to degrease your models before paining,oh and buy the way it is BETTER then soapy water.Paraffin is also just as bad.

Stavros
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: anmo on August 20, 2007, 05:55:39 pm
I always use methylated spirits, which I've found over the years to be a very useful non-aggressive solvent.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Captain Povey on August 20, 2007, 06:26:57 pm
Hi all, The last time I went to buy Meths from the local Chemist for the old Mammond steam engine I was asked to sign for it. Now I drink most things and do not always shave but I did not think I looked that rough. :laugh:
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 06:40:25 pm
You can get the GOOD STUFF on flea bay , a mate of mine would  get it for me from where he worked, but he moved and I had a small amount for years and would use it very sparingly and just as it was running out someone said try Eba so  I got a 500ml tin first then a Gallon in case they stop them selling or sending through the post.. its clear and leaves no residue god for cleaning comms on motors
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Isopropyl-alcohol-IPA-2-Propanol-99-9-500ml_W0QQitemZ330155805641QQihZ014QQcategoryZ88433QQcmdZViewItem
 
They also sell Pure ACETONE

peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Ghost in the shell on August 20, 2007, 07:08:02 pm
Personally I would NOT NOT NOT do this as WD 40 contains SILICON which is the kiss of death to applying paint on a hull afterwards,what you should really use is either a product by 3m called graffiti remover or good old fashioned panel WIPE which of course you all use to degrease your models before paining,oh and buy the way it is BETTER then soapy water.Paraffin is also just as bad.

Stavros

according to the tin it says Silicone free since invention
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2007, 07:11:45 pm
Ghost is quite right Stavros.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: J.beazley on August 20, 2007, 07:24:46 pm
Being a graphic designer using the sticky vinyl, i would say in my professional voice the best thing is methylated spirits. Comes in a lovely purple colour and does no harm to paint, plastic and so forth.

Jay

Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on August 20, 2007, 07:24:52 pm
Carefull Acetone can melt plastics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let alone remove paint so I would say a BIG NO NO

STAVROS
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on August 20, 2007, 07:27:25 pm
OK I will shut up BUT just rember what my PROFFESION is just try it spray some wd on a piece of plastic and  see what happens

Stavros
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 07:32:06 pm
 Stavros the Acetone was not for glue removal it can just be hard to get , and over WD 40 and paint ,when I played paint, around locks and hindges could be a problem because of WD 40

Peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: J.beazley on August 20, 2007, 07:35:14 pm
WD40 Its brilliant sprayed on china class rtr boats makes them water tight sort of  ;D :D

You are right though stavros if its the only thing to hand then why not use it, im b100dy sure i would  O0

Jay
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: anmo on August 20, 2007, 07:37:04 pm
WD 40

Peter

Cleans it off with meths.

Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2007, 07:38:35 pm
This is getting quite interesting!

WD 40 doesn't containe silicone but it is "oily" so Stavros is right that it isn't the best thing to use on something you intend to paint.

Acetone can be bought from boat chandlers as it is used for cleaning up around GRP, you woin't find it in B&Q or Homebase. It is very "aggressive" and will attack cured gelcoat etc.

White spirit can also remove sticky label residue quite well but it can leave a residue itself.

Meths is certainly the safest to use in most situations but I'm a bit puzzled by it. I have a meths stove on my 1:1 scale boat which is fine but when you use meths in it it does tend to smell a bit. So when I was in France a year or so back I bought some cooking alcohol in the hypermarket which is something you can't get over here. It is supposed to be meths without the colour and smell and is certainly an improvement in the stove. As I bought quite a lot of it (it's dirt cheap over there, £3.50 for 5 litres) I've tried using some for general cleanup purposes but it seems to be more aggressive than meths when you apply it to paint surfaces.

Anyone else care to comment?
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 07:47:11 pm
Isopropyl alcohol is clear and has no smell when burnt I got the 97% but they do a 60 or 70%.., the Acetone is used to clean gas jets on steam plants.

peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: DickyD on August 20, 2007, 07:53:38 pm
Hi all, The last time I went to buy Meths from the local Chemist for the old Mammond steam engine I was asked to sign for it. Now I drink most things and do not always shave but I did not think I looked that rough. :laugh:

I buy my meths from Halfords. No signature required.  ???
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 08:05:11 pm
Supply of methylated spirits

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1987/Uksi_19872009_en_7.htm#mdiv25


Peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: barriew on August 20, 2007, 08:22:00 pm


Meths is certainly the safest to use in most situations but I'm a bit puzzled by it. I have a meths stove on my 1:1 scale boat which is fine but when you use meths in it it does tend to smell a bit. So when I was in France a year or so back I bought some cooking alcohol in the hypermarket which is something you can't get over here. It is supposed to be meths without the colour and smell and is certainly an improvement in the stove. As I bought quite a lot of it (it's dirt cheap over there, £3.50 for 5 litres) I've tried using some for general cleanup purposes but it seems to be more aggressive than meths when you apply it to paint surfaces.

Anyone else care to comment?

Colin, You can buy two types of 'pure' alcohol in France. One for preserving fruit etc, which is pure ethanol, the other their equivalent of Methylated Spirits, which is 'Alcohol a Brulee'. As far as I know this is meths without the dye - in other words a mix of ethanol and methanol. I have some of the latter in the garage used for degreasing towballs etc. Not tried it on paint.

Barrie

Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2007, 08:30:41 pm
BarrieW, I bought 'Alcohol a Brulee'.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 08:30:51 pm
Our cousins across the water call it denatured alcohol .

Peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: DickyD on August 20, 2007, 08:40:47 pm
Only on this forum could you get 20 postings on removing sticky labels  ::)
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2007, 08:59:03 pm
Quote
Only on this forum could you get 20 postings on removing sticky labels 

Yes Richard, but it isn't just about that. These solvents and other fluids are in common modelling use so it's important that we understand what is appropriate in what situation.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: DickyD on August 20, 2007, 09:03:23 pm
Right Colin, but sticky labels ? :-\
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2007, 09:06:25 pm
You obviously never buy anything from B&Q Richard. The stuff they put on their labels is enough to drive anyone to drink.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 20, 2007, 09:10:14 pm
sticky labels on leather or delicate plastics  Mr Sheen works well.  (as long as you are not going to paint it)

Peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: DickyD on August 20, 2007, 09:11:59 pm
I do and I use WD40 and if I need to paint the item I clean it with meths afterwards.

There you go, number 27. :embarrassed:
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Ghost in the shell on August 20, 2007, 10:30:17 pm
on the 1st lidl yacht, (rafale atlantique) I used Turpentine substitute to remove the residue, wiped on with an old rag, residue GONE!!, then to wipe the turps off, a rag damped with severn trent's finest, the idea being turps floats on water.

wander if it will be ok to paint now?
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 20, 2007, 11:09:26 pm
Baby wipes are the greatest cleaners know to mankind.
I use meths for most sticky stuff removal. Sometimes used with a touch of cellulose or enamel thinners - test first as below.
I use safety Solvent at work (I'll get the name), which seems completely safe on anything!
..... you could always use label remover! (Search for it on ebay).
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Captain Povey on August 20, 2007, 11:21:51 pm
Well sorry guys here's another two penneth. In the lab at work ethanol is the preferred substance for cleaning the class lenses on the laser equipment, mainly because it evaporates so quickly and disappears without trace. So also good for those camera lenses as I am not aware of it attacking those classes of plastic. I was under the impression that our blue meths was that way as it had substances (impurities) added to make it undrinkable which is probablywhy it when it dries it does leave a trace. Now that alcohol is, apparently, so cheap that argument probably does no longer hold. The other degreaser or (solvent) and probably the best was trich but now banned. My best one, wait for it, sharp in take of breath is lighter fuel as pure as it comes. Good for cleaning triggers too as it does not leave additives on the sliding bits. And of course we all do this solvent handling stuff in our fume chambers fitted with extractor fans and replaceable regularly changed carbon filters to avoid becoming sniffers. Yeah right  :angel: Cheers Graham
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: cbr900 on August 21, 2007, 01:09:21 am
For removing sticky residue you can also use cyano glue accelerator which will remove residue and can be painted over, will not affect any material or paint......


Roy
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Roger in France on August 21, 2007, 09:17:35 am
Lakeland (formerly "Lakeland Plastics") sell a substance quaintly named "Sticky Stuff Remover" which I find very good. They have a Web Site and offer mail order.

Roger in France.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: MikeK on August 21, 2007, 10:26:27 am
OK lets try another angle folks - If you have put WD40 on a surface what, if anything, gets that off so you can paint it  :-X

MikeK  O0

Have had a look back and Richard says meths will work - right ??
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on August 21, 2007, 10:36:31 am
Panel wipe or another name for it spirit wipe

Stavros
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: chingdevil on August 21, 2007, 10:39:10 am
I hate WD40 even as an engineer I will not use it. If it was on something I was going to paint I would use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean it. Martin mentioned label remover, I use an RS one at work and it leaves a residue. I was  told that if you use meths to clean anything the colour is left behind as a deposit that is why we do not use it for our laser coders glass at work, only Isoprop.

Brian
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: MikeK on August 21, 2007, 04:15:24 pm
Thanks for that, chaps - it just so happens .............................! >:(

MikeK  O0
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: bigH on August 21, 2007, 05:29:48 pm
   Just when it was getting interesting :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 24, 2007, 10:50:57 pm
Bin using parrafin for years, just make sure surface is wiped dry afterwards.... never had a problem and it's cheap and plentiful. Acetone is a solvent and the kiss of death to most paints. Meths is alchohol and won't dissolve  the sticky stuff on some of the labels as they are an oil based adhesive. Iso propyl is also an alchohol.. works on some... because it usually contains a higher alchohol content than meths. If you are determined to use meths you need the stuff supplied by your local chemist (surgical meths) as it has a higher alchohol content than the stuff from the D.I.Y shop which has a higher water content  and as you already know, water won't shift those stickers. 
Paraffin.. dab.. leave.. peel...wipe... Provided surface is wiped properly, cleaned and dried, I have never had a problem painting. My experience has shown that the only problems found with painting is that the surface has been insufficiently cleaned and that residue from the sticker has remained. As with all paints, cleanliness and a  properly dried and prepared surface is essential so at the end of the day, it does'nt really matter what you use to remove your stickers as long as the surface is prepared as stated.
Bin doing it for years..... works for me! ;)
 
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: meridian on August 24, 2007, 11:10:24 pm
Whenever I need to remove the residue left by self adhesive labels I always use Swan Lighter Fluid, have done for years. It's also an excellent degreaser for small areas. I also use it for cleaning small brushes after painting with Humbrol enamels. It's effective, evaporates quickly and leaves surfaces clean and free from any noticeable residue. I don't know what I'd do without it.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 25, 2007, 12:09:15 am
Hi Meridian, your right and it is in fact better than paraffin. The reason it works on most of these things is that like paraffin it's oil based.. also like the sticker residue.. and  is an excellent solvent for this sticker substance. The beauty of it is that it's not a solvent for cellulose or acrylic based paints and will not attack them, so is very safe to use. It is also highly volatile and will evaporate quickly so less drying out is required for a quick cleanup job. The only reson I favour paraffin is that I always have the stuff lying around and am too tight and lazy to make a point of going out to buy lighter fuel.
Amazingly good discussion on such a seemingly simple subject but thats what Mayhem's all about.. exchanging views and experiences.       Excellent, best site anywhere! O0
 
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 25, 2007, 12:29:57 am
I thought some people used Lighter Fluid to thin Humbrol Paint so they could spray it.
peter
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 25, 2007, 09:38:21 pm
Yup, oil based paint.. oil based thinning fluid.. it does work.. maybe not the ideal but it will mix and thin these types of paint. I can feel our paint experts mumbling under their breath!
In desperation and with a lack of suitable thinners, I mixed petrol  (95 octane) with polyurethane varnish once and finished varnishing our pine dining table before 'Er indoors' got home. The varnish dried to a lovely hard gloss and is still on there 20 years later. She found out about it and now tells everyone I used petrol to varnish the table!
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on August 25, 2007, 09:43:38 pm
Shiver my timbers what ever next,I hate to think :o

Stavros
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 25, 2007, 11:02:30 pm
So it wasn't lead free petrol then Sheerline....
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: cbr900 on August 26, 2007, 07:15:34 am
Colin,

Before they removed leaded petrol over here I used to always use it as enamel thinners as it was as cheap as chips compared to enamel thinners, and as Sheerline says it dries very shiny and very hard, worked a treat, unleaded is crap in comparison, no good for your car let alone thinning, besides it goes off on it's own.........


Roy
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 26, 2007, 03:35:29 pm
Colin, we never eat anything which may have dropped from the plate onto the table in case we get lead poisoning but if ever ther is a nuclear attack we reckon we can shelter ourselves from the radiation by hiding under it. ;)
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 26, 2007, 03:38:14 pm
By the way Stavros, I knew you would be mortified!!!! :o
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: bigH on August 26, 2007, 08:35:51 pm
   Well!!! after reading Sheerlines posting on his table polishing I think we should all use petrol or summat else, with the price of a tin of humbrol and other so-called hobby paints that work out almost as dear as gold then it will be cheaper  :'(  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: sheerline on August 26, 2007, 08:54:10 pm
Certainly adds a new dimension to 'lead based paints'. Mind you, you can't get the stuff these days and it's no use adding 'Redex' so you would probably get 'pinking'!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: The_Ships_Cat on August 29, 2007, 05:48:23 pm
One of the first thing's that I allways try is Duraglit. This is the wadding that has been impregnated with a metal polish and is sold for cleaning metal items. WD40 has given me a lot of problems , I repair equipment that uses solenoids with rubber seals inside them. The solenoid will start to stick and the customer will spray it with WD40, this cures the problem for a week or so but over time the WD40 reacts with and expands the rubber seal causing the solenoid to stick even more.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: ABRAD on October 25, 2007, 01:58:53 am
Any body using WD40 in our repair shop gets there plums cut of by the painters, it floats in the air and it  always ends up in the paint shop, the damage it causes to a freshly painted vehicle is unbelievable.
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: Stavros on October 25, 2007, 09:40:02 pm
Was in Halfords today and spotted an excellent product which is ideal for the job and is called graffiti remover


Stavros
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: slewis on October 25, 2007, 10:05:38 pm
Any body using WD40 in our repair shop gets there plums cut of by the painters, it floats in the air and it  always ends up in the paint shop, the damage it causes to a freshly painted vehicle is unbelievable.

We use WD40 a lot in our place as well (turn over of 140 cars a week to give idea of size)
Cant say we have ever experienced any cross contamination from it if the job is cleaned off properly before painting .
It DOESNT contain silicon which is a bit of an urban myth .

Shane
(Painter 15 years +)
Title: Re: sticker residue removal
Post by: djrobbo on October 26, 2007, 08:25:31 pm
Hi shane .....ended my motor trade life owning a classic car repair shop...to find out one way or the other i conducted an experiment with wd40....i.e placed a scrap door in the paint shop and prepped for painting..masked half the door off and painted......no problems............ynmasked the other half of the door and went into the workshop and sprayed wd40 onto the bench....waited 15 minutes and went back in and painted the other half of the door...........result was  large patches of silicates on the panel which made the paint ciss away from them....result wd40 banned from use anywhere near the paint booth....

                                mechanical and paint and body trade for 30+ years

                               regards...bob.