Help! Nice classical score... But, have stickers on the dead wax and runout!

gprro · « **on:** 6 Nov 2014, 06:50 am »

So I bought 12 boxes of "mystery classical" for $2 a box. They were sealed with tape, up to 50 albums a box. To my surprise the were full of MHS on the low end, and six eyes and shaded dogs of all types on the high end. They came from an old college library, many looked unplayed. I noticed they almost all have a library sticker that's made to fit just inside the label. They're about 3 inches by 1 inch. Problem is many of them were applied onto the dead wax and runout grove!

Any ideas on removing? Been browsing the forums, perhaps turpentine, heated water, or rubber cement remover... Definitely don't want to run my new cart over the sticker or left over gunk in the runouts.. Anyone dealt with something like this? They are really stuck on. Tried to remove a couple with rubbing alcohol... They sticker rips the labels off too!

gprro · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 07:21 am »

here's one of the offending sticker... maybe someone will share in my pain...

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 11:53 am »

I'd concentrate on getting the labels off the dead space only and leaving the original LP labels alone. Take an xacto knife and cut through the white label, following the original label. The part of the label on the vinyl should then just peel off leaving the original label intact with a bit of white label on it. If you really want to get the white labels completely off the solvents that dissolve sticky are Zippo lighter fluid (naptha) and mineral spirits. But you're sure to ruin some of the original labels that way.

Good luck!

gprro · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 12:26 pm »

Thanks! I would definitely do that, but they're really stuck on the vinyl too.. I can get some of it up, but it leaves a nasty residue and flecks of the paper label too. All crammed in the runout.. Dont want that gumming up the stylus

. Luckily only on one side of each album..

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 01:25 pm »

Have you tried steam?

gprro · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 01:31 pm »

Not yet, thinking about it. I do have a hand steamer, and I've seen people clean vinyl with them, but it freaks me out a little. Distorts the record sometimes. Wondering if the groves bounce back right? This is going to be a project... Couple hundred sides at least... I'm going to tackle some tonight and see what happens.

S Clark · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 02:13 pm »

I'd try steam on some of the less valuable lp's. I'd be afraid of a solvent like naptha. You could try a bit of warm cooking oil to see if it softens the glue. Most things that dissolve in petroleum distillates will also slowly soften with oils. The oils can then be removed with soap.

charmerci · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 04:16 pm »

Have you just tried slowly scraping it off with a fingernail? It won't scratch plastic. All that is required is patience!

thunderbrick · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 06:45 pm »

Try letting dish detergent sit on the white labels. Might soften them.

Wayner · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 07:01 pm »

De-solv-it available at Walmart and probably ACE hardware. Spray it on the offending label, let it sit for awhile, and it will all come off, including the label glue.

This will not affect the record label too much as it is applied when the record is pressed, so it's kind of burned into the vinyl......

Good Luck.

gprro · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 08:04 pm »

Fingernail method does not work, unfortunately.. The paper peels up a little, but leaves most of the adhesive behind. I'll look for some of the wal mart stuff. Thanks

simoon · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 08:49 pm »

WD-40 is also great for desolving sticker glue.

Wet a towel with it, then lightly rub it on the sticker or glue residue.

Clean up with a bit of alcohol.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 08:58 pm »

Goo gone or golf grip solvent?

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 10:24 pm »

Quote from: gprro on 6 Nov 2014, 12:26 pm

Thanks! I would definitely do that, but they're really stuck on the vinyl too.. I can get some of it up, but it leaves a nasty residue and flecks of the paper label too. All crammed in the runout.. Dont want that gumming up the stylus . Luckily only on one side of each album..

You can then get off the goo from the vinyl with naptha. It won't/shouldn't hurt the plastic.

avta · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 10:54 pm »

Why not call or write the Library of Congress or the National Archive in Washington DC. Another thought is someone who deals with vinyl commercially such as Music Direct. Just some thoughts.

gprro · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Nov 2014, 11:21 pm »

Good ideas! I plan on asking Fremer in a few days too, haha! He's on of the guest speakers at the high end shop in town...they have a twice a year show...

richidoo · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Nov 2014, 02:32 am »

See you there!

gprro · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Nov 2014, 04:58 am »

Oh cool Rich, see you there! Went shopping for some cleaning things today. I'll think I'll start a "cleaning gummy crap off of vinyl" thread when I get down to it.. Interestingly, ronsonol and zippo lighter fluid no longer contain full amounts of naphtha... Looked up the msds, they still contain a little, and other light petrolium distillates... guess it should still work somewhat.

gprro · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Nov 2014, 05:22 am »

Here's what awaits

the ones in the rack and some leaning against the rack are other thrift store and flea market finds, and some of my parents records

simoon · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Nov 2014, 08:28 pm »

What a great haul!

By the way...

If there is any of that ugly, unappealing, atonal and dissonant 20th century and avant-garde classical stuff among that collection, I would be happy to take it off your hands.

No one likes that sort of thing. But I might be able to find something to do with it.