posted on January 20, 2001 01:21:23 PM
How do you remove price stickers from your "finds"? I've heard of using a hairdryer set at a low speed to remove stickers from books. But how do you remove them from paper? Or from plastic?
Anyone got a hint or two?
posted on January 20, 2001 01:43:42 PM
We have been using Goo Gone with great results on books & paper. It has a citrus scent and cleans alot of different 'goo' off of many surfaces. When I first used it I thought I had ruined the item because the paper was all 'wet' looking - but it dried with no marks or residue. It's great
posted on January 20, 2001 01:53:53 PMrarebourbon, I've had luck removing price sticker residue from plastic with plain rubbing alcohol. If the alcohol alone doesn't do the trick (seems to have something to do with the type of stickum), try a small amount of cooking oil and then just wash the plastic item.
BlondeSense, thanks for that thread. (Now I have to go look at the other one you added to your post!)
posted on January 20, 2001 02:02:16 PM
I've noticed that if you have an item with glossy paper and there is a sticker on it, the sticker can often be removed with little of no damage if peeled very, very, VERY slowly.
The only drawback is sometimes that glue from the sticker seeps into the paper, and although not sticky, discolors the paper.
BTW: I think some of the thrift stores in my area (and probably everywhere) have figured out people are buying their stock to sell on eBay and are purposly attaching prices to any item in a way that damages it (books, clothes, etc). The Salvation Army does this in addition to raising the prices. If you don't mind buying used items (that often belong in the garbage) at about 10%-35% off their new retail price, then that's the place to go.
Personally I wouldn't buy it unless it was priced at 10% of what the original price was, for the most part.
posted on January 20, 2001 02:06:15 PM
The Goodwill shops here used small orange stickers that peel off pretty easily, unless the item has been sitting too long. The Salvation Army uses grease pencil and permanent markers. I stopped going there a while ago since their prices are too high anyway.
posted on January 20, 2001 03:17:48 PM
Apply a few drops of lighter fluid to the sticker, let stand two or three minutes. Peel off sticker, then clean residue with more fluid and a Kleenex.
posted on January 20, 2001 03:44:49 PM
There is a product that I got on qvc called un-du Adhesive Remover. It works extremely well to get the sticker and all of it's residue off.
posted on January 20, 2001 03:56:16 PM
I'm with twinsoft--lighter fluid works great even on paper (evaporates nicely). Windex works great for stuborn stickers or old masking tape stickers on glassware!
posted on January 20, 2001 08:22:22 PM
If something has been written on with Sharpie Marker go over it again with fresh Sharpie Marker - it will activate the ink again and it is easier to remove.
Then apply VDR head cleaner solvent with a Q-Tip to clean off the rest. Be careful - use in a well ventilated area or you will catch a buzz from the stuff!
Non scented wipees (like for babies) clean lots of stuff very well.
I should buy stock in the Fabreez company!
Denatured alcohol is an excellent solvent, too.
If you have stickers that will not come off with a hair dryer try using a paint stripper gun. Be careful to keep the heat on low! If there still is a little bit of glue left try tapping the sticker back on the item - it should lift that glue off!
I also have an orange based cleaner called icky sticky unstuck that works really well.
posted on January 20, 2001 08:39:58 PM
I've had real good luck with a product called De-Solv-it, purchased at Wal Mart for less than the Goo Gone, the smell isn't as bad either,it has a citric solution base that is safe for washables, skin and hair.
posted on January 21, 2001 12:28:26 AM
My favorite thrift store writes the prices for garments on the sewn-in tag! In ballpoint pen, no less. Luckily, somebody told me years ago that hairspray removes ballpoint pen ink on fabric...and it does.
I also swear by Goo-Gone and alcohol for sticky-tag removal problems.
A piece of very fresh white bread (think soft, moist stuff like Wonderbread), balled up, makes a great safe cleaner for fragile paper items with pencil marks or grime on them
posted on January 21, 2001 01:45:40 AM
Lighter fluid, hair sprays, have too strong a scent for me! They get my allergies worked up too. Goo Gone has less of a scent, more tolerable.
posted on January 21, 2001 05:34:32 AM
Lighter fluid! drop a couple drops on the price sticker, klet it sif a few minutes, then peel off.
GooGone can leave an oily spot on paper.
I have also used "straightening plates" ... flat heated plates used for straightening hair. They are warm enough to soften adhesive, but don't get hot enough to burn the paper.
"I think some of the thrift stores in my area (and probably everywhere) have figured out people are buying their stock to sell on eBay and are purposly attaching prices to any item in a way that damages it (books, clothes, etc)."
The way to make them stop is to get a collection of the ruined books with the permanent price scrawl, and ask them if they would mark the front of a blouse with such a permanently damging method. Then hand them the stack and tell them that you do not buy books that have been vandalized.
If it's clothing, ask the manager if they would scribble on their own wardrobe in such a manner? And hand them the stack of damaged items and walk out. Carefully select some high-value items for this.
I got one store to stop putting super-sticky prioce tags on the collectible books when I told the manger that I would buy the book BUT only if he could remove the tag without damaging the book BEFORE I paid for it. Naturally he ruined the cover in the attempt. Then I showed him how to slip a thread through the spine, seal the knot and attach the tag over the knot so it couldn't be removed.
