For you smart chemistry folks: Removing adhesive

[false_aesthetic]

1. Yes, we're already trying to get answers from the MFGs but they're in Asia.
2. Multi-path approaches are usually the fastest way to get answers and V-Salon has a lot of smart people.
3. Time is not on my side.

I have a thing. It has a rubberized/soft touch finish. It also had a sticker applied to the outside. The sticker is supposed to be easily removable (will not leave adhesive, will not mar the finish).

Guess what! Not only is the sticker super hard to remove (rips) but the adhesive is sticking to the surface.

* Soap of various varieties won't work.

* 70% and 90% rubbing alcohol doesn't work.

* Denatured alcohol is not available in Los Angeles anymore.

* GooGone tends to leave an oily residue that kind've sucks and will require a soap/water cleanup.

* Acetone removes the adhesive but causes slight discoloration and, if it soaks in more than 45 seconds, the coating starts to bubble (on top of that the substrate is ABS which Acetone can melt)

* Lacquer thinner removes adhesive but causes more discoloration and attacks the rubberized surface.

* Water based wax/tar/bug remover doesn't work.

* SEM Solve does not work

* Hair dryer makes removal easier but there's still some adhesive left.



Starting over is not an option. Repainting/touch up is not an option.

I'm all ears. I'll try anything at this point.

[Too Tall]

Just for giggles, have you tried cooking oil? The adhesive is probably acrylic.

[false_aesthetic]

Will try that tomorrow! Cross your fingers bruh.

[Peter Polack]

Take an appropriate sized towel and soak it in water. Wring out the excess. Put it in the microwave to get it silly-hot.

Remove it from the microwave (with gloves or a potholder, for goodness sake!) and lay the wet towel on the sticker.

Let the moist heat do the work. Check on it every five minutes. Perhaps that will loosen the sticker.

[false_aesthetic]

Thanks Peter.

What I neglected to mention is that there are multiples of this thing. Many . . . many of them. (my bad)

The moist heat does work but its not feasible at our qty.

Acetone is ideal if I can prove that it won't damage the substrate or cause further damage to the paint. If that's not an answer I'll need some other fast evaporating solvent that doesn't cause tumors.

[thollandpe]

Just for giggles, have you tried cooking oil? The adhesive is probably acrylic.

That was the old Martha Stewart trick. Her new one is...
https://www.marthastewart.com/154237...abels-stickers

Mine is biodiesel. Vegetable oil on steroids (or methanol, I guess). My degreaser and de-gooer of first choice, when an oily residue is OK. Not for brakes! And False A, not for natural rubber.

[Sino]

Carburetor cleaner can remove all sorts of stuff. I'd try it on a test portion of "thing."

Also, why is denatured alcohol prohibited in LA?

[false_aesthetic]

Ooh. I hadn't thought about carb cleaner. That's one more thing I have in the garage.

Re: Denatured Alcohol

DA is used as a solvent/stripper. In these uses it simply evaporates into the air and contributes to air pollution. As I understand it, a federal mandate around 2018 said that VOC emissions need to be reduced. California decided that DA would be banned because industry figured it would be less disruptive and expensive to get rid of than other solvents.


Sucks because I have about 2lbs of shellac flakes sitting around doing nothing.

[thollandpe]

Re: Denatured Alcohol

That’s just ethanol with some nasty shit added so people won’t drink it. If you want to try it just get some Graves grain alcohol at the liquor store. They have colleges near you, right?



PS Kids here use it to get shellacked and spread Covid at frat parties.

[Peter Polack]

Thanks Peter.

The moist heat does work but its not feasible at our qty.

Perhaps try a wallpaper steamer?

[mowens]

I've been using this for 30+ years. Any Ace hardware store. Use it outside with nitrile gloves.
-Mike
3m.jpg

[9tubes]

You mentioned moist heat works. Have you tried a dishwasher? With soap?

Otherwise, go through the rest of the solvent list:
Paint thinner
WD-40
Brake Cleaner
Electrical contact cleaner

then...flame thrower

[j44ke]

Warehouse fire?

[false_aesthetic]

Warehouse fire?

That's the best answer yet!

Oh how my life would be so much easier.

[j44ke]

As an old Jewish guy from Brooklyn himself, my father-in-law (may he RIP) loved telling this joke.

Two old Jewish guys meet on a corner in Brooklyn. One says to the other, "Moishe! I'm so sorry! I heard you lost everything in a fire!" Moishe says, " Schlomo! Quiet! That's next Thursday!"

[SpeedyChix]

Can you get Bestine in CA? Depending on what the soft surface is. This takes labels and sticky crap off most anything.

[peligro]

HEAT GUN!!! Hair dryer is not hot enough.