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Topic: sticker |
George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 8:26 am |
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I'm not sure where to place this so moderator please move if you deem appropriate.
I just was gifted an old Gibson SG bass and it had a "Hello, I'm **" sticker on it. Any suggestions on how to remove the sticker safely without damaging the finish?
Thanks,
Geo |
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Hamilton Barnard
From:
Oro Valley, Arizona (deceased)
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 8:56 am
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Slightly lift one corner of the sticker back then work a 1" paint brush dipped in WD40 between the sticker and the body SLOWLY peeling the sticker back. The WD will soften the glue as you progress.
Then clean the WD40 off with water and denatured alcohol. |
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Michael Maddex
From:
Northern New Mexico, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 9:05 am
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George, I see that you have another suggestion while I was writing this. I know nothing about using the WD40 for this application, so no comment there. Here's mine:
I have had good luck removing funky adhesives from instruments using naphtha (old fashioned lighter fluid). Used with care, I have never had it damage lacquer or some of the newer finishes on wood. As with any undertaking of this nature, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous spot first. Be careful, take your time, YMMV, good luck, shouldn't be too hard to do. HTH.
_________________
"For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert." -- Arthur C. Clarke |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 9:16 am
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I've removed adhesive backed stickers with heat from a handheld blow dryer with good success. I also have had success with Goo Gone, but I'm not certain about what damage that may do to the finish on your Gibson. You might consider changing your name to **
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 9:41 am
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I've bought and sold lots of vintage guitars that came with all manner of horrors done to their finishes. Stickers I've definitely seen and successfully removed.
To do so, first carefully peel the sticker off. Don't heat it beforehand. Then soak the gum residue with Goo-Gone. Carefully rub the softened gum off with a clean cloth. It should take several applications. Be careful and patient. Put a movie in the DVD player and watch it while you go about the task. You'll get it done.
Often, after getting everything removed, you'll find an outline of the sticker remains! That's because it actually protected the underlying nitro finish from wear that the surrounding finish has undergone.
Aside from stickers, in my experience nicotine film is the worst to remove. You often see it on vintage instruments because so many people smoked years ago and many guitars spent a good part of their lives in bars, nightclubs and halls where smoke literally hung in the air. |
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George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 10:22 am thanks
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Thank you all for your information. While I was waiting for responses, I remembered an old trick I learned from a logger some years back about pine pitch. Tooth paste. Yup, it takes it off your hands nicely and doesn't smell. I couldn't peel any of the sticker back, it must have been on there a very long time. I used some warm water on a cloth to get the paper off and then tooth paste. I rubbed it in and the goo is starting to come off quite nicely. I wouldn't use "goo gone", I've seen what happed when my wife used it on some wood work. It took the varnish off to the bare wood.
Here's a before and after.
Geo
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 11:33 am
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Another vote for Goo-Gone.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 12:28 pm
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| I've always thought of toothpaste as an abrasive, although a mild one at that. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 12:51 pm
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George - that's the bass I always wanted! Glad you didn't have to change your name.
Happy New Year
from Ian
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 12:57 pm
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Just put your name on the sticker 
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 1:05 pm
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Yes Eric, some tooth pastes are abrasive but if a certain brand raised havoc with your teeth I would think a person wouldn't have that brand in your bathroom. Now that I have all the adhesive off, I can see no sign of scratches from using the tooth paste.
Uffta John.
Greetings Ian, it's going to need some work to get it in playing condition. New strings, neck alignment and intonation, and a case. The one it came in was a wreck. I always liked the old Gibson's, my first bass, back in 59' was before they started beveling the edges, I believe it was an EBO but I'm not sure. Heavy but great playing and tone. This one is quite light compared to my 66/67 Fender Precision.
Geo |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 4 Jan 2015 3:24 pm
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Naptha (aka - Ronson Lighter Fluid) is very good at removing most adhesives, unless they're water based. I use it on my Cadillacs all the time, to remove tar and grease spots from the paint or upholstery.  |
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