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Author Topic: Removing old labels from metal  (Read 4841 times)

Capt Podge

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Removing old labels from metal
« on: September 06, 2011, 09:21:01 pm »

I've been given a set of ex-office metal drawers which I intend to use for storing various glasspaper and wet 'n dry sheets in relevant grades.

Unfortunately, every one of the drawer fronts has had a large sticky label attached, with peoples' names scrawled on with permanent ink. >>:-(

Does anyone know how best to remove these unsightly items ?  I don't want to just cover them over coz that would make them even more unsightly.
Some of the drawer fronts have had 3 or 4 labels placed haphazardly over each other which is worse again !

any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Ray.
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davidm1945

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2011, 09:35:31 pm »

Hi Cap'n,

    It depends on the glue that has been used. Some sticky labels will peel off easily if heated with a hair dryer to soften the glue, others respond to soaking with water and some need a solvent such as white spirit or meths. Don't use petrol or lighter fluid unless you are very well insured! Best of luck...

Dave.
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Kangaroo1

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2011, 09:45:49 pm »

3M actually do a product called "Label Remover". It's an aerosol that you spray onto the label, leave it for about 5 minutes, and hey presto!

Hope this helps?
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DickyD

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2011, 09:50:30 pm »

WD/40 should do the job nicely.

Its worked on all my labels up to now. :-))
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Kangaroo1

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2011, 09:53:10 pm »

Label remover smells nicer!   :-)
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Dave13

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2011, 10:18:38 pm »

I've used white spirit in the past and thats worked very well :-)
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Capt Podge

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2011, 10:20:28 pm »

Hey, thanks for the quick response guys.
I'll check those products out and let you which worked best  O0

Regards,

Ray.
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Kangaroo1

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2011, 10:27:51 pm »

Extra tip (whatever you use) is to also score the labels with a sharp knife. This helps the "remover" get through to the adhesive better!
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Capt Podge

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2011, 11:06:58 pm »

Quote
score the labels with a sharp knife.

Good point there (pun intended) I'll do just that.  :-))

Regards,

Ray.
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davidm1945

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2011, 10:46:44 am »

Extra tip (whatever you use) is to also score the labels with a sharp knife. This helps the "remover" get through to the adhesive better!

Possibly not a good idea on a smooth painted surface!

Dave.
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rmaddock

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2011, 10:53:37 am »

Label remover smells nicer!   :-)
As a sometime LandRover anorak, I have to say that WD-40 smells lovely.  :embarrassed:
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2011, 11:58:00 am »

3M actually do a product called "Label Remover". It's an aerosol that you spray onto the label, leave it for about 5 minutes, and hey presto!

Hope this helps?

Yes, used that successfully for many years (test in a small area first in case it reacts to the paint) ... and for some reason, it smells of oranges!
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Kangaroo1

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2011, 01:09:45 pm »

@ Capt podge.....Good point... about being careful on the smooth painted surfaces!  :-))

@ Martin.... it smells of oranges, because it's citrus based.... 3M do a couple of other similar products... not to suggest that there aren't other non-3M products on the market that may be just as good, of course!  ok2

@ rmaddock..... I too love the smell of "Dubbs 40", but my wife hates it.. so it's WD 40 in the garage, 3M label remover if it's used in the house!  ok2
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davidm1945

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #13 on: September 07, 2011, 01:27:15 pm »

WD-40, as it is a penetrating fluid...

Comes up a treat...Oh and smells nice..
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Capt Podge

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2011, 04:23:53 pm »

Spoke to SWMBO this morning (now there's a novelty). Asked her if she could get me some Label Remover when she goes to the shops. She asked what I wanted it for - I explained -  she marched into the kitchen and pulled a bottle from one of her cupboards. Yep, sure enough, produced a bottle of Label Remover.  >>:-(

This one is called "Gum-Solv" made by a company called Fleetlight Limited. Tried it and it works brilliantly  :-))

I still "scored" the label first with a small modelling blade to assist penetration, applied the solvent, left for 5 mins then lifted the whole label in one with a thin plastic scraper and the drawer front looks as good as new.

I still don't understand why they put stickers on in the first place - the drawers all have a slot on the front for sliding contents information cards in ! :o

So it's well done to SWMBO - "you only had to ask" came the retort.  ;D

Strange that it should have the word FLEET in the product name. %%

Once again, my thanks to all who responded. O0


Regards,

Ray
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #15 on: September 07, 2011, 05:21:09 pm »

... and don't forget, nail varnish remover is also very good.
 Go into Boots in your engineering overalls and ask for some!  :kiss:
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Netleyned

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #16 on: September 07, 2011, 05:32:19 pm »

... and don't forget, nail varnish remover is also very good.
 Go into Boots in your engineering overalls and ask for some!  :kiss:


Reminds me of buying Isopropyl Alcohol back in the bad old days of VHS.
Jeans and T shirt no no
Collar and Tie
500 Ml enough Sir?   :} :}

It was good for cleaning video heads
Most of the time though a piece of white card held against the spinning head was as good

Ned



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Kangaroo1

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2011, 07:20:51 pm »

Hey Ned, what's this "VHS" & "Video" that you mention in your post?  ;)
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davidm1945

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #18 on: September 09, 2011, 09:23:18 pm »

Hey Ned, what's this "VHS" & "Video" that you mention in your post?  ;)

So, I won't mention Betamax or Philips Video 2000....... %)

Dave.
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malcolmfrary

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Re: Removing old labels from metal
« Reply #19 on: September 09, 2011, 09:27:46 pm »

Hey Ned, what's this "VHS" & "Video" that you mention in your post?  ;)
Its an archaic program recording system that records from the source of your choice and doesn't lose your entire collection when the hard disc cocks its toes up.  When, not if. 
Betamax was a higher quality system, but pricier, 2000 was better yet, easier to program, ran the tape both ways and cost more, so the cheap, cheerful and acceptable won.

From office experience, the drop-in type labels are too easy to "lose".  A stuck on one tends to stay put.  The best stuff to use is the remover for general domestic use since it is unlikely to damage common surfaces.  I did discover that meths (and probably any other alcohol based fluid) tends to bring the sticky back to life, when I tried to remove some residual sticky from a surface and glued the cloth to the surface.
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