I want to remove the label off of an empty jug of pennzoil 5W30. This label is almost part of the jug. Is there a way to remove it?
On the bottom of the jug, is there a recycling symbol with a number in it? That’d tell us what material the jug is made from, and hence what solvents could be safely used with it.
I found the symbol for HDPE - High Density Polyethylene.
Also, I found the number A-10 near the HDPE symbol.
HPDE is impervious to most common solvents.
Have at it with the strongest stuff you can find - maybe paint stripper.
When I read the OP I thought he? wanted to keep the label rather than get a clean jug.
If you are after the label, then start with giving it a long soak in clean warm water and see if that does anything. Very careful peeling from the corners, but don’t over-try, just soak again. If no joy you can try isoproyl alcohol sprayed evenly over it.
Otherwise, if the label is irrelevant, soak and scrub off with something soft like an old toothbrush. Many types of remaining sticky gunge come off really nicely with WD-40.
Goo B Gone is great at removing labels, especially the gummy residue left behind.
If the OP is going to spend money buying Goo Gone or something like it just to remove the label from this jug, why not just buy an empty new jug that comes without any label on it? This one for instance is only a couple of bucks.
These are some great ideas, I probably have most of the solvents mentioned lying around the garage, and I am going to try each one without hesitation now.
I want to get rid of the label(s) on the jug and to replace them with another label. I have not tried hot water, toothbrushes, acetone, or WD40. I have tried “Goof Off,” “Saphir Renomat,” and rubbing alcohol. The only thing that has really shown promise is 600 grit sandpaper and my power sander. These are great suggestions and I am going to try each one. The thing is that, I suspect, the label is made from HDPE also, and is somehow bonded to the jug, making the label part of the jug. I would like to repurpose the Pennzoil jug because it is yellow, and has a sight measure on the side that lets me know how full the jug is. But, if I cannot remove the labels on the jug properly, I am going to do something like Dewey Finn suggested and buy one from somewhere.
The jug has to be labeled. My first thoughts on the new labels were to print them on copy paper, and glue them to the jug. My second thought was to make a stencil, and paint the label onto the jug. The label has to be resistant to oil, gasoline, and impacts because it is going to go in my garage. Any thoughts on how to label the jug, so that it is “garage proof” are appreciated also.
These are some great ideas that you have given me. Thanks guys!
It sounds like the label was fused to the jug during the moulding process - the label is printed on a thin sheet of the same plastic as the host object and it is applied to the inside of the mould, then when the resin is injected or blown into the mould, it becomes one with the label - abrasion is about the only way to get it off.
If sanding leaves the surface ‘wooly’ (which can happen with HDPE, careful and brief application of a gas flame can consolidate and smooth it (but test that on something else first)