How do I remove tape gunk from...

[LedZepGirl]

I have a black Sheaffer Balance that had Scotch tape wrapped around the top of the barrel and it left all the glue behind when I peeled it off. What is the best way to remove it, right now it's picking up cat hair and lint, which is getting pretty annoying.

[Chris Chalmers]

I use Eucalypus oil - just a drop on a cotton ball will take it off without any trouble.

[Ron Z]

I use Eucalypus oil - just a drop on a cotton ball will take it off without any trouble.

 

Eucalyptus oil might be common down under, but I've never seen it here in the US.

 

Naphtha (lighter fluid) will work quite well, and will not damage any of the plastics found in pens.

[Ray-Vigo]

Naptha should work (works for some advertising stickers too). Just beware that celluloid topped with Naptha is a pretty flammable combination and to avoid open flame/high heat and clean it up when you're done.

 

There's a temptation by some to reach for alcohol or Goof Off. Avoid both of those.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Ray-Vigo

[Ron Z]

Naptha should work (works for some advertising stickers too). Just beware that celluloid topped with Naptha is a pretty flammable combination and to avoid open flame/high heat and clean it up when you're done.

 

Aw Maaaan! Ya mean I can't use open flame?

 

You're quite correct, and it's a good reminder.

 

One of the advantages of naphtha is that it evaporates very quickly.

[LedZepGirl]

Thank you. There has to be a bottle of lighter fluid somewhere around the house.

[ZeissIkon]

Thank you. There has to be a bottle of lighter fluid somewhere around the house.

 

If there isn't, you can get one at any store that sells cigarettes; should cost $3 to $5 for a small can (multi-year supply for this application), depending on brand and your location.

[gross]

I use Eucalypus oil - just a drop on a cotton ball will take it off without any trouble.

About any "oil" will work. Use a small quantity as Chris stated: "just a drop." Eucalyptus oil is available in many U.S. pharmacies and almost all health food stores. There is usually a section with all manner of "oils" and "extracts" in these stores. These "oils" are, for the most part, plant extracts and will not damage fountain pen material.

[LedZepGirl]

I use Eucalypus oil - just a drop on a cotton ball will take it off without any trouble.

About any "oil" will work. Use a small quantity as Chris stated: "just a drop." Eucalyptus oil is available in many U.S. pharmacies and almost all health food stores. There is usually a section with all manner of "oils" and "extracts" in these stores. These "oils" are, for the most part, plant extracts and will not damage fountain pen material.

 

 

Would tea tree oil be okay?

[fuchsiaprincess]

Yes, tea tree oil should be fine for your pen.

[Ron Z]

Shrug...

 

I suppose one can try anything one wants to remove adhesive residue. Not just any oil is safe. For instance, I have had finishes, and some plastics damaged by some brands of orange oil. Not universal, but enough to make me nervous.

 

OTOH, after using it for 20 years and still owning many of the pens on which I used it, I know that naphtha is safe. But it's your pen.

[gross]

Shrug...

 

I suppose one can try anything one wants to remove adhesive residue. Not just any oil is safe. For instance, I have had finishes, and some plastics damaged by some brands of orange oil. Not universal, but enough to make me nervous.

 

OTOH, after using it for 20 years and still owning many of the pens on which I used it, I know that naphtha is safe. But it's your pen.

No offence to Ron who knows more about pens and such than I ever will, but some "orange oils" contain petroleum distillates which will not bother many finishes but will damage others. Read the contents before you put it on your pen. The "oils" I am refering to do not contain anything petroleum.

[ZeissIkon]

Shrug...

 

I suppose one can try anything one wants to remove adhesive residue. Not just any oil is safe. For instance, I have had finishes, and some plastics damaged by some brands of orange oil. Not universal, but enough to make me nervous.

 

OTOH, after using it for 20 years and still owning many of the pens on which I used it, I know that naphtha is safe. But it's your pen.

No offence to Ron who knows more about pens and such than I ever will, but some "orange oils" contain petroleum distillates which will not bother many finishes but will damage others. Read the contents before you put it on your pen. The "oils" I am refering to do not contain anything petroleum.

 

For whatever it's worth, my TV remote has permanent embedded finger- and hand-prints in the plastic shell, which resulted from handling the unit while peeling a grapefruit. No oils there except the natural oil from the grapefruit peel (which, like the oil from oranges, lemons and limes, has limonene as a primary ingredient), and it softened the plastic the way a welding solvent might (to be sure it's clear, my remote shell probably isn't the same as common pen barrels -- but I don't know exactly what the remote shell's composition is, so can't say for certain that X, Y, or Z pen isn't made from the same or similar stuff). So, I'd have to agree that citrus oils can not be assumed to be pen safe.

[gross]

Shrug...

 

I suppose one can try anything one wants to remove adhesive residue. Not just any oil is safe. For instance, I have had finishes, and some plastics damaged by some brands of orange oil. Not universal, but enough to make me nervous.

 

OTOH, after using it for 20 years and still owning many of the pens on which I used it, I know that naphtha is safe. But it's your pen.

No offence to Ron who knows more about pens and such than I ever will, but some "orange oils" contain petroleum distillates which will not bother many finishes but will damage others. Read the contents before you put it on your pen. The "oils" I am refering to do not contain anything petroleum.

 

For whatever it's worth, my TV remote has permanent embedded finger- and hand-prints in the plastic shell, which resulted from handling the unit while peeling a grapefruit. No oils there except the natural oil from the grapefruit peel (which, like the oil from oranges, lemons and limes, has limonene as a primary ingredient), and it softened the plastic the way a welding solvent might (to be sure it's clear, my remote shell probably isn't the same as common pen barrels -- but I don't know exactly what the remote shell's composition is, so can't say for certain that X, Y, or Z pen isn't made from the same or similar stuff). So, I'd have to agree that citrus oils can not be assumed to be pen safe.

I agree with both Ron and ZeissIkon that one should probably avoid using orange oil furniture polishes on fountain pens. I thought I was stating that in my earlier post, but was obviously not clear.

 

Rather than put your pen at risk, LedZepGirl, please disregard all of my posts. For while I have used the "oils" I refered to without damage to pen bodies, I would hate to be the cause of you damaging yours. I first learned to use the "oils" I refered to when I used eucalyptus oil to remove price tags stuck on fishing lure plastic boxes after I had tried lighter fluid (naphtha) and found it softened and dulled the plastic. Obviously, the plastic of fishing lure boxes from twenty or so years ago is nothing like the material used to make pen bodies or the modern television remote.

[eric47]

I have a black Sheaffer Balance that had Scotch tape wrapped around the top of the barrel and it left all the glue behind when I peeled it off. What is the best way to remove it, right now it's picking up cat hair and lint, which is getting pretty annoying.

 

With items that I'm worried about, I apply and remove (a) fresh piece(s) of Scotch tape to "pick up" the old adhesive -- combined with rubbing the old glue into smaller "masses" for easier removal with fresh tape. I actually prefer Scotch magic tape (seriously) because it doesn't seem to lose its adhesive in the process -- it's tacky but not too tacky.

 

Old glue doesn't usually come off all at once, so it takes patience and time, and numerous pieces of fresh tape; but it eventually all gets removed.

 

I figure the fresh adhesive on the tape is no worse than what's already there.

Edited January 9, 2010 by eric47

[streeton]

Anyone ever tried a Staedtler mars plastic eraser (or any other good quality plastic eraser) - works great for me for sticker residue on cheap plastic mechanical pencils. Never tried it on expensive FP's though.

[LedZepGirl]

Has anyone here ever tried olive oil? I just got this idea a few nights ago when my mum was using it to clean sticker glue off some glasses she got for Christmas. I bet it wouldn't hurt celluloid because it doesn't make you sick when you eat it. The only thing that could be problematic is it seems to leave an oily film on everything it comes in contact with for some time.

[ZeissIkon]

Has anyone here ever tried olive oil? I just got this idea a few nights ago when my mum was using it to clean sticker glue off some glasses she got for Christmas. I bet it wouldn't hurt celluloid because it doesn't make you sick when you eat it. The only thing that could be problematic is it seems to leave an oily film on everything it comes in contact with for some time.

 

Yep, oily film -- and, if the film remains on an item, it will eventually oxidize (like linseed oil does in artist's paints) to a plastic-like coating that's hard to remove without damaging the item. Best things for removing an olive oil film (or the peanut oil film left by cleaning something with peanut butter): dish soap, or naphtha -- yep, we're back to lighter fluid which, unlike soapy water, won't rust the J-bar/pressure bare if it gets inside the barrel of a lever filler (or crescent, match, coin, etc. filler).

[GardenCity-NY]

I've used carnuba wax with excellent results in cleaning up a new pen with residue on the barrel. Could be a little less messy then all these 'oil' remedies...

[Tumbleweedtoo]

On one pen, a Reform, I used a tad bit of WD-40 on a cloth to rub the sticker residue off, and then I used a little bit of soapy water on a soft cloth to wash off the WD-40. It worked fine on my Reform. Otherwise, I have never dealt with the problem on a pen.

 

All the Best,

T