Removing Name Plate From Desk Set

[nxn96]

I have a Sheaffer deskset that I received back in the 1980's. It's one of the Imperial fp/bp sets on a large jet black base. I've been thinking of selling it, as the set never did get much use, but I'd like to remove the brass personalization plate from the base before I do so. Any suggestions as to what I might use to remove the plate without causing damage to the base? I tried some "Goo Gone", which has worked on some other adhesives without any ill-effects, but the plate won't budge on this one.

 

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[Doug1426]

I have a Sheaffer deskset that I received back in the 1980's. It's one of the Imperial fp/bp sets on a large jet black base. I've been thinking of selling it, as the set never did get much use, but I'd like to remove the brass personalization plate from the base before I do so. Any suggestions as to what I might use to remove the plate without causing damage to the base? I tried some "Goo Gone", which has worked on some other adhesives without any ill-effects, but the plate won't budge on this one.

 

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

I have a similar deskset. In my case, I used a sturdy single-edge safety razor blade, slid under one edge of the plate, and that broke the seal of the glue enough to pry the whole plate up. WD-40 then worked to dissolve the remaining glue...but a couple of words of caution:

 

(1) A pocket knife or similar fairly thin knife edge is a lot safer than a razor blade,

(2) Test the WD-40 on the underside of the base to be sure it won't harm yours. You can clean up with soap and water, or alcohol (again, test before using it on your base).

 

I'm planning to get a new, un-engraved plate at a local trophy store to put on my base.

[nxn96]

Thanks. Worked great. I used one of those scrapers that uses a razor blade to pry up an end of the plate and it came right off. Some Goo-Gone cleaned up the residual adhesive off of the base and it came out great.

[OcalaFlGuy]

For future reference, I would try a fine but strong piece of mono-filament fishing line.

 

Zero chance of damaging anything but the glue with that.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[nxn96]

For future reference, I would try a fine but strong piece of mono-filament fishing line.

 

Zero chance of damaging anything but the glue with that.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Luckily, no damage from this operation, but I see your concern. What I did do was "pad" the part of the base where the scraper would sit with a soft cloth so as not to risk unintended scratches on the base when I applied the leverage.

 

Thanks again,