Sticky residue removal help.

[Urban Bassman]

Hi all

I recently acquired a rather lovely Sandberg Ken Taylor 4 which is fab....however the previous owner stuck one of the pick holders on the back.of the bass on the belly cut.  I took it off because I didn't want it there but of course it's left behind a sticky mess...see pic.  I'd like to get it off but I'm pretty sure that cleaners like white spirit, nail polish remover/acetone snd the like would damage the finish. So can anyone suggest another way to remove the residue without affecting the finish?  All advice gratefully recieved.  Cheers 😊

[Grangur]

White spirit will do it without any damage.

[musicbassman]

If white spirit doesn't work try this:

[Urban Bassman]

Thanks Guys, I'll try some white spirit first and report back...

[ambient]

Surgical spirit or meths works too. Maybe try whatever you use in an inconspicuous place first though.  

[Urban Bassman]

It's in a fairly inconspicuous place already but I want to avoid any chance of making it worse. 😊

[Stub Mandrel]

Whoever invented self-adhesive plectrum dispensers deserves a long, slow and painful termination.

My brother bought his wife a lovely Ibanez Talman semi-acoutsic with a gorgeous figured top (basically everything a Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster should be except it looks fantastic, not sh1te like the Fenders).

First thing she did was fit a crappy pick dispenser on the front 😱

 

Meths and white spirit are what I use, stickness that responds to one of these rarely comes off with the other.

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Stub Mandrel

[FinnDave]

Lighter fluid is what you need, removes just about all forms of sticky, and have yet to find any finish damaged by it. I've used it for years on everything I need to get sticky residue off, and never had a problem.

[steantval]

1 hour ago, FinnDave said:

Lighter fluid is what you need, removes just about all forms of sticky, and have yet to find any finish damaged by it. I've used it for years on everything I need to get sticky residue off, and never had a problem.

Then add a flame and end up with that burnt finish you always wanted 😀

[FinnDave]

3 minutes ago, steantval said:

Then add a flame and end up with that burnt finish you always wanted 😀

I believe that the famous 'guitar burning' by Jimi Hendrix was an unfortunate accident involving a lit cigarette while he was trying to remove a sticker from his strat. Unfortunately, history doesn't record what the offending sticker depicted.

[taunton-hobbit]

Isoprop is my 'go to' sticky remover - used to use it to clean cd jukebox lazers -

It never damages plastic - I would caution against lighter fluid, it can cause dulling

to some finishes. 

😎

[SH73]

2 hours ago, Grangur said:

White spirit will do it without any damage.

+1

[ezbass]

I find vegetable oil is very good at removing sticker residue.

[Urban Bassman]

Thanks for all your help and advice guys.  I've ordered some Isoprop which will arrive on Monday, so I'll post an before and after pic😊😁

Edited May 18, 2019 by Urban Bassman

[musicbassman]

1 hour ago, FinnDave said:

I believe that the famous 'guitar burning' by Jimi Hendrix was an unfortunate accident involving a lit cigarette while he was trying to remove a sticker from his strat. Unfortunately, history doesn't record what the offending sticker depicted.

Do you mean that setting his guitar on fire was originally accidental, but then he worked the idea into his stage show?

There's quite a few clips of him burning his guitar at the Monterey festival on YouTube, but I don't know if that was a one-off spectacle or a regular thing.

'Spose Chas Chandler must have put him up to it - I understand he was very manipulative and actively encouraged most of Jimi's excesses, in all areas.

He's got a lot to answer for.   

[T-Bay]

I use brake cleaner for all adhesive removal jobs, dirt cheap and surprising gentle on lacquered/ painted surfaces.

[SteveK]

Loved Hendrix, but thought the can of lighter fluid, guitar on fire looked really naff. He did it in an attempt to upstage The Who, who went on first and did their smashing thing.

[Machines]

Mykal Sticky Stuff Remover 250ml https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TAT4GM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Dbh4Cb9HYJVXX

Don't need much, let it soak in and it does wonders. 

 

[Guest MoJo]

This stuff is brilliant. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Ambersil-30254-NSF-K3-Registered-Label-and-Adhesive-Remover-200ml/1112646613?iid=113587766697

Removed all the stickers and residual glue from a P-bass

[Stub Mandrel]

51 minutes ago, musicbassman said:

'Spose Chas Chandler must have put him up to it - I understand he was very manipulative and actively encouraged most of Jimi's excesses, in all areas.

He's got a lot to answer for.

He made Slade cut off their hair...

[Mykesbass]

Meths is a very mild paint remover - probably won't affect a poly finish, but do take care if anyone is is thinking of using it on their bass.

[Stub Mandrel]

10 hours ago, Mykesbass said:

Meths is a very mild paint remover - probably won't affect a poly finish, but do take care if anyone is is thinking of using it on their bass.

It will attack shellac/french polish type finishes and some water based ones.

OTOH white spirit can bleach out tiled finishes.

'Test on an inconspicuous part of the garment'

[xgsjx]

Magic Eraser will remove it without issue or damage & can be bought from most supermarkets & budget swag shops (B&M, the range, etc). 

Isoprop & rubbing alcohol will also remove it, but you’ll find a lot more uses for a Magic Eraser. Clean the white on your converse to like new, clean the inside of the car windscreen with no streaks, remove scuff marks or permanent marker.  I don’t even sell the things!

[pete.young]

For a more homespun remedy, mayonnaise will sometimes work. You need to brush it on and leave it for a few hours, then wash off. I've had success with this removing sticker gunge from hard cases, and some beer bottle label residue.

[casapete]

Another homespun one - vodka! For some strange reason we have a small bottle of cheap vodka acquired from god knows where. Mrs CP uses it to remove marks, as you sure as hell wouldn’t want to neck it. Seems to work on most things although never tried it on an instrument to be fair, but it’s just another spirit I guess so who knows?