Removing sticker glue off a nitro finish

Gassage

If you've a lovely old guitar which someone once put a 'TC Electronic' or some such sticker on it, with typical sticker glue, how do you remove the glue residue?

I'd use lighter fluid as a default, but assuming that'll also strip the Nitro?

DartmoorHedgehog

Cover it with a Pete Cornish sticker?

BigMonka

I don't know its effect on nitro but acetone (nail varnish remover) normally works on sticker glue

not_the_dj

Sellotape.

Place it over the glue residue, then peal it off, do that a few times and the tape will remove it.

Polish and job done.

(disclaimer: I've never tried this on a nitro finished guitar, but it works on plastics)

DartmoorHedgehog

BigMonka said: I don't know its effect on nitro but acetone (nail varnish remover) normally works on sticker glue

I'm pretty sure acetone will dissolve cellulose paint.  Meths may be OK (but I haven't tried it, just a guess)

richardhomer

Warm soapy water is always a safe bet.

Lighter fluid (or 'naphtha' as Americans seem to insist on calling it) is recommended in Dan Erlewine's book - though I've never tried it myself.

Gassage

Silly as sounds, Vodka someone else suggested. On the basis I'd be too pissed to see the sticker I guess.

DamianP

I use Naphtha/ lighter fluid.

Not acetone! Acetone will remove the finish.

randomhandclaps

richardhomer said:

Warm soapy water is always a safe bet.

This is precisely the type of comment Holnrew was on about when he called this place seedy. 

Strat_a_tat_tat

randomhandclaps said:

richardhomer said:

Warm soapy water is always a safe bet.

This is precisely the type of comment Holnrew was on about when he called this place seedy. 

I see what you've done there Mr Random.... you've mistaken the word 'water' for the word 'breasts'. Easy mistake to make.

IanSavage

I'm pretty sure that isopropyl alcohol will do it (it'll definitely get rid of the residue), I wouldn't bet my house on it not removing the nitro but I'm 97% sure it wouldn't.

ICBM

WD40

DannyP

Breasts

telestratjazz

Tried same with many things,but worked best with Lamp Oil,I accidently found in storage.Slow process.tough!

FelineGuitars

Lighter fluid or meths 

stonevibe

WD40 works a treat as well.

WezV

FelineGuitars said:

Lighter fluid or meths 

what he said.

now about that discoloured nitro under the sticker.  I have had good luck evening it out with a rebuff with compound like t-cut.  but sometimes it can go too deep  - that's not so easy to sort

GuitarMonkey

Lighter fluid. Definitely not water, warm, soapy or otherwise.

richardhomer

GuitarMonkey;471519" said:

Lighter fluid. Definitely not water, warm, soapy or otherwise.

Martin recommend (or they did when my guitar was made about 25 years ago) warm soapy water as a good way of getting stubborn marks off their nitro-cellulose finishes.

Clearly they/I mean on a slightly damp cloth - rather soaking the guitar in the bath...

Gassage

richardhomer said:

GuitarMonkey;471519" said:

Lighter fluid. Definitely not water, warm, soapy or otherwise.

Martin recommend (or they did when my guitar was made about 25 years ago) warm soapy water as a good way of getting stubborn marks off their nitro-cellulose finishes.

Clearly they/I mean on a slightly damp cloth - rather soaking the guitar in the bath...

Bloody hell- it's been in there 30 mins and I added some bleach as I wanted to relic the guitar. Darn.

WezV

Yeah, a warm towelette is not just good for cleaning curry off your face!!

if you can still ring water out of it its too wet, but a damp cloth will be the safest way of cleaning an old nitro finish.   just not sure it will be enough to get the glue off here - at least not without a lot of rubbing