Removing Laminated Labels

I'm not 100% sure of the type of label you mean, but for stubborn labels I use a Stanley knife blade (like a large razorblade but from a builders knife) held carefully at about 30 degrees to the bottle and held firmly.

This usually scrapes off the label and adhesive goo. This works well especially if I take many small scrapes off rather than trying to get the label off too quickly.

If that fails, the lable might benefit from being slashed in a diamond- cut pattern to allow water to penetrate and soak before using the above method.

If the laminate doesnt contain any paper at all, a squirt of WD40 or some other solvent/lubricant might help to loosen the label.

Jim

i've had better luck soaking them with genuine imitation TSP-like product for a couple of days first, then using the ol' razor blade & elbowgrease. step 2 is applying nail polish remover on the gum residue using a green scrubby pad. those sticky SOB's are the main reason i gave up on scavenging empties. but, free is free...

Goof-off removes almost anything. It can be found at most hardware stores around the US.

Greg

All good ideas. The best way for me is the buy new bottles. LOL

I use acetone, it's cheap. You can peel off a warm label and use the acetone for the residue.

Joe

Throw them out.

Laminated labels will fall apart with acetone or various other solvents, but ask yourself: Why spend the effort? Unless you've got cases of the bottles, the time you'll spend isn't worth the savings of the bottle.

If you want the label, that's a different story- try placing the bottle in boiling water for 10 minutes. That will soften the plastic/ glue considerably, then using very insulated pads strip it off with a sharp knife. Repeated hot water baths will be required.

I say this as I clean/delabel all the bottles, and I've gotten to the point that, with the contacts I"ve made, it's just easier to take everything they offer and dispose of the ones I don't- usually give them away on FreeCycle for decorations or other wine makers who aren't so discerning ;)

Jason

Well, we had thread discussions on this prior. For me, I soak bottles for 24 hours in water and 5% (a couple ounces) of janitorial strength ammonia. About 20% of labels just fall off. 60% loosen them so I can use a flat razor at 30 degree angle on the label and peel them off. 15% are real stubborn and use some sort of new glue - these I do step 1 and 2 above, and then spray with "Goof Off" or acetone, repeat step 2 and buff with a paper towel until it's clean. 5% of used bottles - I just give up and throw away. (anyone want them?)

Since I use Goof Off, I put bottle in dish washer and then store upside down in a cardboard wine case when dry.

When I use the bottles, I briefly soak in warm water with a little "5 minute rinse" and then rinse in cool water. I do this and have found it's a nice way to ensure they are clean, and if any bugs or spiders, or whatever gets in the bottle - is caught prior to putting new wine in them. This may not be necessary, but I've found dead flies, spiders, etc. So I like doing this extra step.

I use Avery #6464 Removable 3 1/4 x 4 labels, which easily come off. I spray them with clear poly to make them water proof prior to putting on the bottles.

Well, there's more than you asked for.

DAve

Dick Adams wrote:

Acetone will remove almost anything, but remember that it's highly volatile so don't use it near open flames.

I have had a lot of these recently. I soak them in hot sudsy water, scrape off the outer label with a razor blade scraper thingy, and then rub the rest of the goo off with mineral spirits. Works OK.

I word of caution, fill them with fresh water to hold them down and do not let the soaking solution fill over the tops of the bottles. On one of my first attempts at doing this one of the adhesives that dissolved, made its way inside the bottles only to collect and adhere to the inner surface of the bottle.

On a good note I found an extremely easy way to clean inside bottles easily (finally...) and removes hard to get substances... :^) Drop a handful of artificial aquarium gravel in the bottle with some soap. Shake a little... clean as a whistle.

Quixote

But, I have scoffed up some quality bottles that are thick enough to minimize the risk o becoming bottle bombs. Once I know how to get the labels off easily, they become the least expensive way.

Dick

I thank everyone who responded, The problem is 'laminated 'labels' may not be the correct terminology. My wife suggested they were baked-on decals.

These are 750 ml Belgian Dark Strong Ale bottles with labeling is similar to Yingling Lager bottles.

They will soak in a TSP solution overnight.

Dick

Do they look like they were screen printed with the ink directly on the bottle? As I understand, that style is effectively a baked on enamel. I'm still chewing on ideas to get that off, too. No luck with acetone...next step is goof off (xylene, so don't get it near plastic) and if that doesn't work, MEK (methyl-ethyl-ketone). If that doesn't work, then I need to buy the inventor of indestructible printing a drink.

Trid

-does a hammer count?

if the label is in fact painted on ( pyroglaze is the term i believe is used indicating its baked on) then the only recourse is the blade. I scraped off a microbrew label from one 64 oz growler for a gift project and that was enough for me! Not worth the time or the effort IMHO. unless you really really really need that bottle......

I was just thinking... Is the label so big that you couldn't cover it over with your own labels if they were big enough?

Just a thought as I say...

JIm

Next try is goof-off. After that it is buying new bottles.

Dick