AOL seems to send me a new 8.0 CD in one of those plastic DVD cases about three times a week now. You know, the large plastic case that most DVDs come in, covered by a… um… thin, see-through plastic covering? Yeah, those.
So I figured I’d just re-use AOL’s generous offers of free cases for my own needs. However, it seems that they have affixed this pseudo-irremovable sticker to the front (an ad for how great the software is), and try as I might, I can’t peel it off without it ripping.
What’s the best way to remove all traces of this sticker? I thought about soaking the cases in water until the paper wore away, but wasn’t sure if that would work.
I’ve never encountered the things you’re talking about but whenever I’ve found particularly sticky labels on cases soapy water (and lots of it) seems to take it off.
Rubbing alcohol works, but it’s slow because it’s mostly water.
A very good goo & adhesive remover is 100% denatured alcohol. It’s sold in hardware stores and also outdoor stores (as fuel for stoves). It’s cheap, and in most cases works as well as or better than the more expensive substances sold as goop removers. It’s also fairly benign - more so than many solvents.
Not really the best thing to use on a plastic CD case, unless you’re into the smeary “grunge” look.
Peel off as much of the label as you can. The main aim here is to remove the top layer, which inhibits soaking of the adhesive underneath. Especially true for shiny or metallic labels.
By all means, try playing with them in the tub. What’s it gonna hurt?
But my best results have come from spraying the adhesive with oil, usually WD-40, although I’ve also used cooking oil. Oil seems to dissolve the adhesive without harming the plastic at all. A final rinse in soapy water (or the tub;) )gets rid of the oil residue, and voila!
My mom always used Zippo lighter fluid on things like that and it worked very well. These days, I don’t keep cans of the stuff around since I would have no other use for it.
If there’s a smoker in the house, raid the lighter fluid (with all due caution about cleaning with a flammable substance).
I have a great deal of sticker removal experience… lighter fluid is the best thing I’ve used… I fold up sheets of toilet paper into tight bundles and soak it… specifically I always use Ronsonol brand, I don’t know how other brands would fair…
Cigarette Lighter Fluid (the liquid NOT the gas!!!) is great for this - as used by graphic artists the world-over…
Iyou don’t have any, some brands of furniture polish do quite a good job too - tho you often need to soak the sticker with water first to get it off ‘in one piece’.
I have tired many different types of alcohol and acetone related products with varying success. This product works on plastic without any visible effects. I use it without any worries on any tape residue.