| boy wundyr x | 19 Feb 2013 11:07 a.m. PST |
I have a couple of projects where I want to remove labels or stickers from different types of plastic, and I'm looking for some tips on what the best approach is. 1) I've realized mouthwash bottles could make some great sci-fi dropships – the flask-sized ones for 6mm, the big 1L or so ones for 15. But after a lot of soaking in Simple Green, I still haven't gotten all of the label off them; either it's still there in chunks, or some of the sticky residue remains. Will acetone work? 2) I bought some dollar store school buses that'll work for 15mm, but I want to repaint some in other colours, and I'm not even sure the ones I'm going to keep as school buses won't need another paint job. They come with stickers on for lights and that say "School Bus", so they need to go. I also have a dollar store helicopter I want to re-paint, so same deal. I'm sure this is a different plastic than the bottles, so I'm not sure if that means I need to do something different to get the stickers off cleanly. Thanks for any advice,
Chris |
| Moonbeast | 19 Feb 2013 12:11 p.m. PST |
Have you looked at a product called Goo-Gone? Should be available in DIY stores as well as supermarkets.
link |
| boy wundyr x | 19 Feb 2013 12:58 p.m. PST |
No, haven't looked at that – but will! Thanks. |
Dr Mathias  | 19 Feb 2013 1:12 p.m. PST |
Pre-Kleano is what I used to degrease things when I worked as a screen printer. I now use it for removing label and adhesive residue from plastic toys :) link Goo Gone looks cheaper and I suspect will do the job. |
| Goober | 19 Feb 2013 1:50 p.m. PST |
I've always used a squirt of lighter fluid or WD40 to get rid of sticky labels (sometimes called maintenance spray, I think). Works a treat. Obviously, take care as it's flammable and you'll need to wash thoroughly in detergent afterwards. |
| Steve W | 19 Feb 2013 3:52 p.m. PST |
Eucalyptus oil will do the trick |
| 53Punisher | 19 Feb 2013 7:26 p.m. PST |
Another vote for Goo Gone. It's made specially for things like that. I've used it on many different things and when used carefully, always gets the sticky residue off without staining or melting the surface material. |
| dsfrank | 20 Feb 2013 2:42 a.m. PST |
another vote for Goo Gone |
| boy wundyr x | 20 Feb 2013 5:48 a.m. PST |
Thanks guys, I'll start with Goo Gone and then see if I need to up my game. |
| TimHerr | 20 Feb 2013 7:36 a.m. PST |
Something I've seen recommended (here, I think) is to use duct tape. Sticking and unsticking it rapidly on the adhesive residue generally works. Usually I wrap it around my hand, sticky side out, and rock it back and forth over the adhesive, and it pulls the adhesive bits right up. Cleaned up a number of junction boxes using this technique. Your mileage may vary. And now I'm off to look more closely at the mouthwash bottles in the bathroom. Tim |
| boy wundyr x | 20 Feb 2013 4:54 p.m. PST |
Re: mouthwash bottles – I think they look pretty good, the ones I have are a bit angular too – link The threads on the mouth/neck of the bottle are the challenge, but I have some ideas to fit something as a sleeve over it, to serve as sort of a accessway to the bridge (another bottle or something). Gluing the plastic is the follow-up challenge. |
