Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwmbS2 ...
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Problem is that in Canada it is unavailable. It used to be sold under the brand name of Bestine, but is no longer allowed to be sold in Canada. Believe it had something to do with a French language label.
It is no doubt fine if you only need to remove one or two stamps, but for bulk soaking it just does not work.
I removed a few hundred NZ stamps today, using very hot water and Dawn soft soap and it still took an hour or more plus a few changes of water. For some countries it would not work at all, for those I just cut close to the stamps and mount that way. Having cut off date of about 1993 for most countries it solves a lot of problems.
The French language problem on items and stores is going to be a big headache for those in Quebec, where even store signs will also need to be in French and larger than the English version. It is already a pain trying to read labels where it has to be in dual languages because to fit all the print in means exceedingly tiny print.
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For Sheepshanks: I thought political issues were out of scope on Stamporama. As you say unilingual messages are painful for non-speakers. That 'sa problem partly solved in Canada where bilingualism is close to becoming widely accepted.
Regarding the self adhesive stamps, I use a stain remover. The video shown mentions heptane. I assume one can find a stain remover in almost every country. It works fine, except for a large number of stamps.
Michel
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I use a product called "Shellite"It evaporates so you need to keep a tight lid I do a few stamps at a time soak in the fluid for around 20 seconds and they peel straight off the paper .but the glue remains on the stamp another quick dip anI scrape off the glue using a phone card or similar.
Brian
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Shellite -
The Australian form of naphtha, which inthe US is referred to as lighter fluid.
I was a bit surprised to read that shellite was the explosive used in British armor-piercing naval shells of the 1920s & 30s.
...interesting...
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"Orange Citrus"
Tad
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Citrus peel oil will be harder and harder to find as citrus is dying out worldwide due to a Chinese disease transmitted by a Chinese insect. However, several solvents can be used to remove self adhesives, xylene being the best. Also, hexane and turpentine works well. Let them soak in the solvent for a few minutes, remove them from the paper and wipe the adhesive from the back with a paper towel.
Stamps with filigree added or with that plastic like paper can’t soak in a solvent. There is a product called Un-Do that works very well for these. This mixture of solvents is dripped onto the back of the paper with the stamp. Give it a few seconds and the stamp easily peels off. Dip a cotton swab in xylene and wet the adhesive on the back with it then wipe the adhesive away with a paper towel. I’ve tried cheaper imitations of Un-Do, but none compare.
I remove 150-200 stamps at a time using about 4 ounces of xylene and soaking 30 at a time. Soft cardboard works best as a wiping surface for removing the adhesive from the back. The duplicates that I take off are easily sold at the stamp club auction.
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Bestine is banned in Canada as it is a known carcinogenic.
David
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@DavidG, not sure if it is carcinogenic but it was recalled due to the label being non bi-lingual and not stating hazard information.
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/ale ...
Edit, from the msds sheet.
"This product is not considered to be a known or suspected human carcinogen by NTP, IARC or OSHA."
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It may not be carcinogenic, but I understand why it is banned. According to the same MSDS it is far from healthy:
"Causes skin irritation
Highly flammable liquid and vapour
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Very toxic to aquatic life.
Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects"
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Xylene is a common solvent used every day in construction. You get it at any hardware store, lumber yard, Home Depot or Lowe’s. Hexane, if you can’t find it on its own, is sold as “mass air flow sensor cleaner”. Also a common solvent used daily in every auto shop. These compounds are not dangerous unless you plan to pour yourself a glass or deliberately contaminate a lake.
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As a mechanic for 30+ years, I can agree with joesm's comment.
And it does work fairly well for stamps.
I you prefer, use rubber gloves and a mask when using it, particularly if you are inexperienced with its use.
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11:00:55am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwmbS2G ...
I found this video on YouTube about removing self adhesives from paper. I don't collect them so it doesn't really apply to me and I know nothing whatsoever about the chemical. I just thought it might be useful!!
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Just soaked a big page of 60 NZ stamps from a huge parcel. Used hot water and Blue Dawn (detergent) which is pretty useful.
Only 8 survived in a useful condition.
Are postal authorities worldwide really that against stamp collectors, pen pals, etc?
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Some self adhesive stamps have filigree added or a shinney surface. These finishes don't do well when exposed to xylene. For these I use a product called Un-du Remover, found in hobby shops or on-line. It is a clever combination of low odor solvents in a 4 ounce bottle with an applicator attached. You apply a few drops to the back of the paper with the stamp on it. Let it soak for just a few seconds and the self adhesive stamp peels right off!
There will be a film of adhesive left on the stamp, so take a Q-tip, dip it in xylene and apply to the back of the stamp. You will see the adhesive dissolve and bubble up. Then simply wipe off the adhesive using a folded paper towel. To protect the stamp, I lay the stamp on soft cardboard when wiping.
The Un-Du Remover is pricey at 8-12 dollars per bottle but it only takes a few drops per stamp and a bottle lasts me over a year. There is a competing product called Goo Gone tape and sticker lifter but, for stamps, Un-Du is far superior. I hope that this is helpful.
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We have Goo-Gone in Canada. It's relatively useless.
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I agree. Try the Un-Du if you can find it. Heads and tails better!
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12:24:47pm
I revived this string just to make a comment. I have recently received an order containing some newer stamps where some were self adhesive stamps. Myself, what I do is just trim neatly around the stamp and then mount it that way. If you're going to clean off the glue could you please try to get all of it. Some of the stamps in this shipment were starting to stick together because some of the adhesive was still there. Please, if you're going to remove the glue, try to get all of it. This is not a complaint. I'm trying not to do that! But please be a bit careful!
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It's all about what you use. Again, Xylene works by far the best. When you use the Un-Do to pop off those delicate stamps that won't tolerate soaking in a solvent, take a q-tip dipped in xylene, wipe the back until the adhesive "bubbles up" and simply wipe away with a paper towel. Harvey, you can do this with the stamps that you received. Good luck!
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10:30:21am
I don't see a major problem as long as the stamps are not stuck together in a huge mass. None of these stamps would be terribly valuable anyway so I just put them in my black crystal mounting, which I use for all stamps now, and if they stick to that I am not that concerned. I'm just worried that someone might have a few more costly stamps in the envelope with the self adhesives and those stamps might end up damaged. Again, it's not a problem on my end but please try to remove all the glue. Either that or just cut around the stamp as I do and let the buyer do whatever he/she wants to do. Just meant as a comment, not a major complaint!
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My suggestion is to remove ALL the adhesive from the stamp OR leave it on the paper. I use Pure Citrus Orange and an old credit card (to scrape away the soft adhesive) and have not had any problems. Soak the back from the paper side, peel away, scrape off the goo and let dry. Easy!
Tad
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found this on you tube. Looks good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwmbS2 ...
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re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Problem is that in Canada it is unavailable. It used to be sold under the brand name of Bestine, but is no longer allowed to be sold in Canada. Believe it had something to do with a French language label.
It is no doubt fine if you only need to remove one or two stamps, but for bulk soaking it just does not work.
I removed a few hundred NZ stamps today, using very hot water and Dawn soft soap and it still took an hour or more plus a few changes of water. For some countries it would not work at all, for those I just cut close to the stamps and mount that way. Having cut off date of about 1993 for most countries it solves a lot of problems.
The French language problem on items and stores is going to be a big headache for those in Quebec, where even store signs will also need to be in French and larger than the English version. It is already a pain trying to read labels where it has to be in dual languages because to fit all the print in means exceedingly tiny print.
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12:18:23pm
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
For Sheepshanks: I thought political issues were out of scope on Stamporama. As you say unilingual messages are painful for non-speakers. That 'sa problem partly solved in Canada where bilingualism is close to becoming widely accepted.
Regarding the self adhesive stamps, I use a stain remover. The video shown mentions heptane. I assume one can find a stain remover in almost every country. It works fine, except for a large number of stamps.
Michel
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Auctions - Approvals
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
I use a product called "Shellite"It evaporates so you need to keep a tight lid I do a few stamps at a time soak in the fluid for around 20 seconds and they peel straight off the paper .but the glue remains on the stamp another quick dip anI scrape off the glue using a phone card or similar.
Brian
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this post
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Shellite -
The Australian form of naphtha, which inthe US is referred to as lighter fluid.
I was a bit surprised to read that shellite was the explosive used in British armor-piercing naval shells of the 1920s & 30s.
...interesting...
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re: removing self adhesive stamps.
"Orange Citrus"
Tad
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08:16:28am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Citrus peel oil will be harder and harder to find as citrus is dying out worldwide due to a Chinese disease transmitted by a Chinese insect. However, several solvents can be used to remove self adhesives, xylene being the best. Also, hexane and turpentine works well. Let them soak in the solvent for a few minutes, remove them from the paper and wipe the adhesive from the back with a paper towel.
Stamps with filigree added or with that plastic like paper can’t soak in a solvent. There is a product called Un-Do that works very well for these. This mixture of solvents is dripped onto the back of the paper with the stamp. Give it a few seconds and the stamp easily peels off. Dip a cotton swab in xylene and wet the adhesive on the back with it then wipe the adhesive away with a paper towel. I’ve tried cheaper imitations of Un-Do, but none compare.
I remove 150-200 stamps at a time using about 4 ounces of xylene and soaking 30 at a time. Soft cardboard works best as a wiping surface for removing the adhesive from the back. The duplicates that I take off are easily sold at the stamp club auction.
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this post
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Bestine is banned in Canada as it is a known carcinogenic.
David
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this post
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
@DavidG, not sure if it is carcinogenic but it was recalled due to the label being non bi-lingual and not stating hazard information.
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/ale ...
Edit, from the msds sheet.
"This product is not considered to be a known or suspected human carcinogen by NTP, IARC or OSHA."
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this post
Approvals
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
It may not be carcinogenic, but I understand why it is banned. According to the same MSDS it is far from healthy:
"Causes skin irritation
Highly flammable liquid and vapour
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Very toxic to aquatic life.
Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects"
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this post
07:33:34am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Xylene is a common solvent used every day in construction. You get it at any hardware store, lumber yard, Home Depot or Lowe’s. Hexane, if you can’t find it on its own, is sold as “mass air flow sensor cleaner”. Also a common solvent used daily in every auto shop. These compounds are not dangerous unless you plan to pour yourself a glass or deliberately contaminate a lake.
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re: removing self adhesive stamps.
As a mechanic for 30+ years, I can agree with joesm's comment.
And it does work fairly well for stamps.
I you prefer, use rubber gloves and a mask when using it, particularly if you are inexperienced with its use.
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
13 Aug 2024
11:00:55am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwmbS2G ...
I found this video on YouTube about removing self adhesives from paper. I don't collect them so it doesn't really apply to me and I know nothing whatsoever about the chemical. I just thought it might be useful!!
Login to Like
this post
11:35:59am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Just soaked a big page of 60 NZ stamps from a huge parcel. Used hot water and Blue Dawn (detergent) which is pretty useful.
Only 8 survived in a useful condition.
Are postal authorities worldwide really that against stamp collectors, pen pals, etc?
Login to Like
this post
08:04:17am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Some self adhesive stamps have filigree added or a shinney surface. These finishes don't do well when exposed to xylene. For these I use a product called Un-du Remover, found in hobby shops or on-line. It is a clever combination of low odor solvents in a 4 ounce bottle with an applicator attached. You apply a few drops to the back of the paper with the stamp on it. Let it soak for just a few seconds and the self adhesive stamp peels right off!
There will be a film of adhesive left on the stamp, so take a Q-tip, dip it in xylene and apply to the back of the stamp. You will see the adhesive dissolve and bubble up. Then simply wipe off the adhesive using a folded paper towel. To protect the stamp, I lay the stamp on soft cardboard when wiping.
The Un-Du Remover is pricey at 8-12 dollars per bottle but it only takes a few drops per stamp and a bottle lasts me over a year. There is a competing product called Goo Gone tape and sticker lifter but, for stamps, Un-Du is far superior. I hope that this is helpful.
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12:21:20pm
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
We have Goo-Gone in Canada. It's relatively useless.
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05:50:48pm
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
I agree. Try the Un-Du if you can find it. Heads and tails better!
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this post
This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
06 Sep 2024
12:24:47pm
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
I revived this string just to make a comment. I have recently received an order containing some newer stamps where some were self adhesive stamps. Myself, what I do is just trim neatly around the stamp and then mount it that way. If you're going to clean off the glue could you please try to get all of it. Some of the stamps in this shipment were starting to stick together because some of the adhesive was still there. Please, if you're going to remove the glue, try to get all of it. This is not a complaint. I'm trying not to do that! But please be a bit careful!
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07:55:12am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
It's all about what you use. Again, Xylene works by far the best. When you use the Un-Do to pop off those delicate stamps that won't tolerate soaking in a solvent, take a q-tip dipped in xylene, wipe the back until the adhesive "bubbles up" and simply wipe away with a paper towel. Harvey, you can do this with the stamps that you received. Good luck!
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this post
This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
07 Sep 2024
10:30:21am
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
I don't see a major problem as long as the stamps are not stuck together in a huge mass. None of these stamps would be terribly valuable anyway so I just put them in my black crystal mounting, which I use for all stamps now, and if they stick to that I am not that concerned. I'm just worried that someone might have a few more costly stamps in the envelope with the self adhesives and those stamps might end up damaged. Again, it's not a problem on my end but please try to remove all the glue. Either that or just cut around the stamp as I do and let the buyer do whatever he/she wants to do. Just meant as a comment, not a major complaint!
Login to Like
this post
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
My suggestion is to remove ALL the adhesive from the stamp OR leave it on the paper. I use Pure Citrus Orange and an old credit card (to scrape away the soft adhesive) and have not had any problems. Soak the back from the paper side, peel away, scrape off the goo and let dry. Easy!
Tad
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