Posting this in the homebrew forum, as I thought y'all would know best.. I'm collecting a bunch of large-format bottles for a friend's wedding (she's using them as vases), and I'm having a difficult time getting the adhesive off some of the bottles. Most weren't a problem, but a few have been a total bitch! I've tried everything: hot water, soap, soaking over night, magic eraser, rubbing alcohol - but nothing will take it off. I work in a lab and finally brought home pure ethanol, and even that didn't do the trick! Does anyone have any other suggestions? I don't want to chuck these couple of bottles, as they're unique enough to keep for a nice variety. Thanks in advance.
They are a pain, but they have sentimental value! Ha. Not really, just some ridiculously good beer that I'll probably never see again. And like I said, the shapes/sizes are unique enough to keep. Will try the acetone (we have at least a drum at work, that should do!), as well as the Oxy. Thanks!
Yes, the the ones that are a PITA do not have water soluable glue...be sure to only buy the easy ones...drink up : ) SN bombers are 24 oz and very easy to get off.
Gotcha, thanks. I just don't want the Cantillon, King H, Life is Like, White Choc, or DL to go to "waste!" Lol
Are these vinyl-type labels? If so you can merely catch a corner and slowly peel them with some pulling patience. Heating them for 30-60 seconds in a microwave will cause a slightly easier peel. Just be sure if you're also going to collect the label to have a piece of paper ready to stick the label because the glue will come with the label.
The labels are long gone (they weren't that difficult to remove, actually), yet the super sticky glue remains. I've tried everything above, now with the addition of acetone - and that didn't do it either. I have no idea what this glue is (especially on the Cantillon!) but boy is it tenacious!! I'll give Oxiclean a try next..
I've had success with Goo Gone in that type of situation. Apply liberally and rub/scrape with your fingernails.
Hot water and Oxyclean over night should do the trick. In the morning, use a steel scrubbing brush or one of those green rough-back dish sponges. Should come off no problem.
I know oxiclean gets hyped up, but it won't take off some labels. If you're running into the labels with the rubber like paste and plastic coated labels, the answer is goof off, especially if you won't be bottling homebrew in them. Elysian bottles use this crap and I don't even bother trying to peel them any more.
You can try methylene chloride if you want to and have access, but it's nasty stuff. Use good PPE in a well ventilated space, like outdoors. You could also try a saturated solution of potassium hydroxide in ethanol, but that might etch the glass too if you're not careful - nasty s**t, it goes without saying; never get near this stuff without good eye and skin protection (look at MSDS's). You can probably shave most of it off with a razor blade if you're a glutton for punishment, then use other methods to slowly scrub off the last bit. If that doesn't work, I endorse the flame thrower - or maybe you can buy some similar looking decorative glass instead? You could contact the brewery for help too, but since I'm male that took awhile to occur to me
Never had any labels that a soak in hot water/oxyclean wouldn't take off. PBW will probably work too if you have that around.
I just finished a hot oxiclean scrub to get the labels off of honey jars. Actually, the labels came off in hot water, but the glue was persistent and only came off with hot oxy solution and elbow grease. As to what I used honey for, I cannot say unless, a new forum is created for unmentionable beverages.
Nice to mead you, and thanks for meadtioning how you got the labels off. I will mead note of it and try your technique tomeadorrow!
Goof Off has removed every glue residue I've experienced. For super sticky plastic film labels, a heat gun or hairdryer helps too.
Did not work for me with Pliny bottles... I rationalized that it looks cool to have a few empty PtE bottles lying around the basement.
I agree with the Goof-off. Just use it outside-this stuff is potent! I've never seen it NOT work, so I just might have to go get some Pliny...
