Removing An Ink Bottle Label - Any Tips?

[The Bantam Scribbler]

Today, I found myself nearly reaching the bottom of a two-year-old bottle of J. Herbin Beu Myosotis and realizing that, out of the three ink manufacturers' bottles that I have tried so far (Private Reserve, Diamine, and J. Herbin), I would most like to find some way to continue using the J. Herbin bottle, possibly for storing and transporting my own experimental ink mixtures. Trouble is, the label is tenaciously clinging to the glass, and I noticed that any attempt to gently pull it away results in a sticky, gummy, white film from the adhesive. I haven't tried running the bottle under the sink, or using any chemical agents as of yet. Does anybody know what I should be doing differently?

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rubber spatula when it's wet?

[TWRDO]

Goo gone works nicely. Starting fluid, carburetor cleaner, & brake cleaner also make short work of label goo. Just don't use them on plastics (generally speaking), and use them somewhere well-ventilated, away from open flame, etc. etc.

[kuno]

I think acetone or any other petroleum-based cleaner does a good job. A rough sink scrubber pad is also good when used in conjunction.

[ohexploitable]

WD40

[Lorna Reed]

This is what I do to remove the label from any sort of glass bottle - first leave the bottle soaking for a while in hot soapy water. this will remove the outer paper label, but probably leave a gluey residue behind. Then use any of the things suggested above - sticky stuff remover,(probably the same as goo-gone?) WD40. You might need to put the stuff on and leave it to soak a bit, then scrape it off with a knife or spatula. Good luck!

[fiberdrunk]

Today, I found myself nearly reaching the bottom of a two-year-old bottle of J. Herbin Beu Myosotis and realizing that, out of the three ink manufacturers' bottles that I have tried so far (Private Reserve, Diamine, and J. Herbin), I would most like to find some way to continue using the J. Herbin bottle, possibly for storing and transporting my own experimental ink mixtures. Trouble is, the label is tenaciously clinging to the glass, and I noticed that any attempt to gently pull it away results in a sticky, gummy, white film from the adhesive. I haven't tried running the bottle under the sink, or using any chemical agents as of yet. Does anybody know what I should be doing differently?

 

I've boiled off labels from other glass bottles (in soapy water), but haven't tried it with an ink bottle.

[Firochromis]

As other posters say, hot water will solve most of the problem. You can boil the glass in a pot, and even add some dish soap. And if it doesn't work, it is pretty safe for you and the bottle. You can still try other methods.

[soapy]

washing up liquid diluted

wd 40 as well but you have to remove all oil after

[lws]

90% of label adhesives dissolve in alcohol (i.e. methylated spirits, rubbing alcohol, vodka.) The adhesives that don't come off with methylated spirits will come off with acetone, but that stuff is a bit nastier (so try metho first.)

 

Actually, the above is probably the best use for vodka. It sure ain't fit for human consumption.

 

- L.

[lapis]

Acetone, turpentine, white gas (heptane) Best yet: ethyl acetate = often in nail polish remover.

 

Mike

[alkman]

so long as there's no metal, fill the bottle with water and microwave it for a few minutes with the cap off. This is how my father removes wine labels to save them. The bottle will be HOT so use care. This will remove the label and a goo remover should take care of the glue.

[Northwoods]

I'll second Goo Gone. Plus, it's nice and orangey smelling.

[soapy]

flame thower maybe? :roflmho:

[thepyrofish]

Windex will also make a suitable glue remover in a pinch.

[colrehogan]

Corn oil works, if I recall correctly.

[Paddler]

If it is a self-stick label, you can use gravity. Peel up a corner big enough that you can grab it with a hemostat or an alligator clip. Then add a little weight to it and let it hang for a couple of days. It will peel off and leave the goo stuck to the paper label.

 

If it is a glue that, at one time, used to be water soluble, break the seizing on the label with a Brillo pad and then soak the label in warm, soapy water. The paper will then rub off. The glue will come off if you rub it with a plastic dish scrubber. If you don't have one of those, use a plastic net bag that onions or potatoes are sold in.

 

Paddler

[penguinmaster]

Here's a tutorial in removing wine bottle labels, I assume this is related so.

 

http://www.wine.com/aboutwine/picking/labels/labelremove.asp?mode=xfer

 

-Tom

[lapis]

If you like those bottles all that much, phone Herbin and tell them that you like their ink so much that you need a couple of empty bottles.

 

Har har

[dizzypen]

I just did this today with a CdA bottle. It was easy peasy.

 

Filled the bottle with water, nuked it for 30-60 seconds, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, pulled the label off, sprayed the glue residue with non-stick kitchen spray, and scraped it off with a razor blade. Nothing to it.