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.
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
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
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...
"Orange Citrus"
Tad
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.
Bestine is banned in Canada as it is a known carcinogenic.
David
@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."
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"
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.
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.
found this on you tube. Looks good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwmbS2 ...
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.
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
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
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...
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
"Orange Citrus"
Tad
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.
re: removing self adhesive stamps.
Bestine is banned in Canada as it is a known carcinogenic.
David
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."
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"
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.
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.