I am needing help with removing old groovy 50's stickers, peace symbols etc from a vintage enamel 3 cone floor lamp.
I have been soaking with a wet tissue to try and soften for removal but it still seems to have some residue that will not come off!
Any ideas as I have already lost a chip of paint by scraping with a plastic card.
I was thinking of using mineral oil or somenthing else, but thought I would run it by you all first.
thanks for any help if someone has been down this road before I would love to get your experiences.
will post an image soon
thanks
I'm betting that
WD-40 has naptha in it. Naptha is also present in Ronsonol or other lighter fluids. I always start at the low end of volatility and "bite," with mineral spirits, and work up from there. Almost anything stronger than naptha or mineral spirits can attack some finishes.
I expect denatured alcohol would be safe on lots of finishes -- except of course traditional shellac. As for resins (plastics), I'll wait for more expert help. Koen ?
Yes, Terry, it's not the paper you need to dissolve, but the adhesives . . .
All great suggestions...work still in progress!
Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond.
I tried the wd-40, let it soak in for a little bit and it did remove some of the residue (there is paper with the hard adhesive) as well as some of the paint! I also tried non-acetone nail polish so far with the better result, but I have not found or tried anything with promising results.
Will go the naptha/mineral spirit route next!!!
Also, should I try and touch up the bad areas with missing paint or just leave it?
If the finish is paint, I...
If the finish is paint, I suspect too much action or fussing in one area is sure to affect the finish in some way no matter what you use...
In the past I've ruined a few things with a hasty decision, something that survived for 50 or 60 years died at my hand, so whatever you do approach with caution and think it through ...
added: I have had great success removing stubborn adhesives using a biodegradable degreaser called Pedros Bio Degreaser. Water based and water soluble. Will not harm painted or plastic finishes. Available in Canada at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-Op). All purpose. Get the liquid spray pump, not the aerosol. Not sure where else you can get it.
I've used it on non wood items (vintage and otherwise) with no damage or ill effects, ever.
It's probably a rubber-based adhesive
that's petrified over time.
I'd likely start with naptha (Ronsonol lighter fluid) as others have recommended, and, if no luck, move up to heptane (Bestine rubber cement thinner).
Always test first on the least obvious surface by applying a single small drop, waiting 10-20 seconds, and blotting with a clean white cotton rag to see if any color has come off or the surface has become sticky. If either happens, stop and research a different approach.
If it seems okay, apply naptha by rolling a wetted cotton swab back and forth over the label rather than rubbing. Using as little solvent as possible, keep the paper saturated for as long as it takes to release. This should occur within minutes. If it won't release, let everything evaporate dry and repeat the process with heptane.
Clean off adhesive residue using the same technique and clean Q-tips.
Follow all safety guidelines printed on solvent containers.
Bon Chance!
A product called UN-DU works...
A product called UN-DU works well on old stickers, even the really crusty kind. I don't care for chemical solvents, however, so I prefer to heat up the residue with a hair dryer and stick stick stick with Scotch tape until the old goop is picked up. This can take a while sometimes.
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