Removing Health Warning Stickers

Posted by Mark "Fatt Max" Hill on May 30, 2012 at 12:37am

Hey guys

Well into my builds now and have even git a couple of orders to build CBG's.

One problem, here in New Zealand they plaster these big government health warning stickers all over the cigar boxes. These look awful so I am removing them by just picking away and hoping it doesnt take away the cover of the box itself.

Does anyone have a good method for removing the strikers without damaging the finish of the box? Any and all suggestions gratefully received

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Replies

  • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill June 4, 2012 at 12:28am

    Thanks again all, A combination of hair drier / heat gun finished off with the bread eraser is making these boxes come up a treat.

    Respect and thanks to you all

  • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill May 31, 2012 at 1:42am

    Hey guys, thanks so much for the tips

    I tried the hair drier deal and it worked perfectly so all good there. I'll use the meths to clean up just as long as the mother-in-law dont drink it first

    Thanks again guys, really appreciated

  • jeff heister May 30, 2012 at 2:55pm

    i use wallpaper remover that you can get at Lowe's ect.

    it's usually a thick gel type of spray and works really well.

    jh

  • Suspect Device May 30, 2012 at 9:34am

    Seriously, I've actually been saving the ones that peel off intact. I have this notion of making a cbg and completely covering the thing in a collage of warning labels. 

  • Bad Finger (Eric) May 30, 2012 at 9:22am

    I give them to my wife.  She's got some sort of voodoo magic that can just peel off the sticker with no solvents or anything and the adhesive stays on the decal.  I think she's a witch.  I got two Cuban boxes on my last trip through Canada since we can't get them through normal channels here in the US.

  • Suspect Device May 30, 2012 at 9:04am

    A wadded-up slice of bread (used like an eraser) will often remove some of that sticky glue residue.

    • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars > Suspect Device June 2, 2012 at 5:34pm

      I second the bread trick, works great and leaves a shiny surface when done.

  • wormil May 30, 2012 at 3:55am

    I've had to remove a lot of stickers over the years and I use a heat gun. You want to pick at a corner every few seconds, there is a perfect temperature when the label will peel off leaving no glue residue. Too little heat and the paper will stick to the glue. Too much heat and the glue will separate from the paper and stick to the box. Once I get it to the right temp, I feather the heat by waving the gun back and forth while I peel otherwise the glue will reset. The next best thing is naphtha. 

  • Glenn Reither May 30, 2012 at 2:26am

    I use lighter fluid. Get one edge lifted and keep adding fluid as you gently peel back. Also good for cleaning up glue residue afterwards. Won't stain the box or paper covering.

    Some people use a hairdryer to heat the sticker so it peels away. I found that more tedious and you still have to clean up the glue anyway, so my preference is for lighter fluid.

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