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paper removal

Posted by ken farmer on March 31, 2010 at 11:05am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Any suggestions on ways to remove paper from boxes?   I'd like to have the paper off for projects with kids - where some parents will probably dislike the tobacco references.   I've tried a few methods: scraping, sanding, steaming.

The steam iron worked best - but it still takes me about 2 hours plus sending to get it all off the outside.  The inside is hopeless.

I think I'm at a dead-end - unless someone is aware of something I've overlooked.  Acetone?

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Replies

  • Wade April 3, 2010 at 12:22am
    Not the exact answer you may be looking for, but my students made them last year- they had fun painting them with some krylon spray paint- others painted over with acrylics

    Leanna King said:
    very funny...the stuff works wonders,,if you've never tried it, who are you to say it won't??
    if it fixes your balb spot, where ever that may be, you will be the first to thank me.
    sincerly, your royal hiness !!!

    ken farmer said:
    Cool - paper removal royalty!

    So, you recommend very hot water to soften the paper, then scrape with the wallpaper scraper, then use solumel to remove any remaining glue/heal a bald spot/fix my carpal tunnel?

    Leanna King said:
    OK GUYS, i'M THE QUEEN OF PAPER REMOVAL,,,THE HOTTER THE WATER THE BETTER, AND A WALLPAPER SCRAPER WORKS THE FASTEST. THERE'S A PRODUCT CALLED SOLUMEL, MADE BY THE MELALUCA COMPANY THAT REMOVES THE GLUE RESIDUE. i USE IT TO REMOVE PAINT FROM CLOTHES AND GLUE FROM MOST SURFACES. IT'S A NATURAL INGREDIENT, TEA TREE OIL.IT DOES NOT THE STAIN THE WOOD. IT'S A DISINFECTANT,BIODEGRADABLE,STINKS LIKE MEDICINE, CAN BE PUT ON SORES AND FOR A TOOTHACHE, IT WILL KNOCK OUT THE INFECTION. TASTES AWFUL BUT IT WORKS. I'VE USED IT FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS.IT'S SPENDY BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY.AND THERE IS NO FAST WAY OF REMOVING THE PAPER.ELBOW GREASE
  • Craig Winkelmann April 2, 2010 at 4:35pm
    Try Goop Off or Naptha (aka, lighter fluid). Or ... one could tear as much off as possible and be done with it.
  • colin mcgrath April 2, 2010 at 1:08pm
    paper towels soaked in rubbing alcohol then set on top of surface to strip wait about 10 min <> and it should peel off. I have used this several times with success.
  • ken farmer April 2, 2010 at 9:15am
    Cool - paper removal royalty!

    So, you recommend very hot water to soften the paper, then scrape with the wallpaper scraper, then use solumel to remove any remaining glue/heal a bald spot/fix my carpal tunnel?

    Leanna King said:
    OK GUYS, i'M THE QUEEN OF PAPER REMOVAL,,,THE HOTTER THE WATER THE BETTER, AND A WALLPAPER SCRAPER WORKS THE FASTEST. THERE'S A PRODUCT CALLED SOLUMEL, MADE BY THE MELALUCA COMPANY THAT REMOVES THE GLUE RESIDUE. i USE IT TO REMOVE PAINT FROM CLOTHES AND GLUE FROM MOST SURFACES. IT'S A NATURAL INGREDIENT, TEA TREE OIL.IT DOES NOT THE STAIN THE WOOD. IT'S A DISINFECTANT,BIODEGRADABLE,STINKS LIKE MEDICINE, CAN BE PUT ON SORES AND FOR A TOOTHACHE, IT WILL KNOCK OUT THE INFECTION. TASTES AWFUL BUT IT WORKS. I'VE USED IT FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS.IT'S SPENDY BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY.AND THERE IS NO FAST WAY OF REMOVING THE PAPER.ELBOW GREASE
  • Lewis Lee April 1, 2010 at 6:27am
    The last one I did I just used a wet sponge and a putty knife, wet it down good with the sponge and then used the knife. I would have soaked it but it was plywoood and I was afraid it would cause it to delaminate. Worked pretty slick.
  • ken farmer March 31, 2010 at 10:28pm
    Thanks for the ideas folks. I think I'll try the soak method first. Based on my experience with steam I would have thought that soaking would warp the box. That's also simple enough I could have the kids do it themselves.
  • Peter Taylor March 31, 2010 at 9:28pm
    A simple soak in water seems to do the trick for me, soak for about 5-10 mins, use a scraper and peel away under running water. Finish off when box drys with fine sandpaper to remove any left over pieces
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 31, 2010 at 12:41pm
    I don't know if it will work for the cigar box but I use a solution of water and amonia to get off wallpaper and the residue it leaves behind. I was thinking of trying this myself on the inside of the lid. Another source for blank box's is Michaels craft stores or other craft/sewing stores. They have small luan ply box's for painting etc. May be pricey but its worth a look, may be cheaper than 2 hrs per box to strip. Let us know what works if you find a miracle product!
  • Dave Breault March 31, 2010 at 12:20pm
    A couple of things you might consider, one is to not use a cigar box at all, instead make a simple box from meranti or luan plywood, that's what alot of cigar boxes are made from any way. Another thing would be to apply a covering material to the box suck as wall paper or a self adhesive mactac product.
  • Robert John Spotti March 31, 2010 at 11:54am
    Ken,I have had some luck with Duck brand adhesive remover.It is still slow going but it works.I have also heard of a product called Bestine that can be found a art supply stores but I haven't used it.
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