Removing tape from DJ

on Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:57:09 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>
>
><pvteye123.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1117988150.448703.292890@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>I recently acquired a first edition copy of Rogue Cop by William P.
>> Mcgivern, Dodd, Mead and Co., 1954. Unfortunately the jacket has scotch
>> tape at various places on the jacket including the top and bottom of
>> the spine and at the top and bottom of each of the flap folds. It
>> appears to be a misguided attempt to reinforce the jacket even though
>> there are only minor defects visible (ie. a few short closed tears.)
>> The tape appears relatively new... it's not browning or anything. I'd
>> say applied within the last 10 years. Is there a safe way to remove the
>> tape? I checked out the RCB FAQ and saw info on removing labels, but
>> not scotch tape.
>>
>> Thanks in advance, AL
>
>Lighter fluid. Take the dust jacket off the book, and pour lighter
>fluid to the *back* of the dust jacket (where the tape is), as well
>as the front. Let it soak in, then carefully lift the tape off. You
>might have to put a bit more lighter fluid on a *soft* cloth (like you
>clean your eyeglasses with) and carefully wipe off any glue
>residue.
>
>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>
>http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.

-at
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

On 5 Jun 2005 16:51:00 -0700, Allison Turner- <betonica.TakeThisOut@sover.net>
wrote:

>>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>
>Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.

I have heard good reports about lighter fluid, but I'm reluctant to
trust it myself, because I think it is also likely to contain
additives -- for practical reasons, if not aesthetic ones.

I have had good experience with Bestine, a solvent readily available
at art supply stores. A pint costs about $10 and lasts forever.

I have never had a problem with Bestine dissolving ink. It can damage
the finish on covers, though, and particularly stamping. A dab or two
is almost always harmless, but if the problem requires sustained
contact or rubbing, be very cautious.

My email address is LLM041103 at earthlink dot net.
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

"Allison Turner-" <betonica.DeleteThis@sover.net> wrote in message
news:d8035401ugb@drn.newsguy.com...
> on Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:57:09 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>>
>>
>><pvteye123.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:1117988150.448703.292890@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>I recently acquired a first edition copy of Rogue Cop by William P.
>>> Mcgivern, Dodd, Mead and Co., 1954. Unfortunately the jacket has scotch
>>> tape at various places on the jacket including the top and bottom of
>>> the spine and at the top and bottom of each of the flap folds. It
>>> appears to be a misguided attempt to reinforce the jacket even though
>>> there are only minor defects visible (ie. a few short closed tears.)
>>> The tape appears relatively new... it's not browning or anything. I'd
>>> say applied within the last 10 years. Is there a safe way to remove the
>>> tape? I checked out the RCB FAQ and saw info on removing labels, but
>>> not scotch tape.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance, AL
>>
>>Lighter fluid. Take the dust jacket off the book, and pour lighter
>>fluid to the *back* of the dust jacket (where the tape is), as well
>>as the front. Let it soak in, then carefully lift the tape off. You
>>might have to put a bit more lighter fluid on a *soft* cloth (like you
>>clean your eyeglasses with) and carefully wipe off any glue
>>residue.
>>
>>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>>
>>http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/
>
> Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.
>
> -at

I've used lighter fluid to remove labels and gunk from books, paper, record
album covers, glassware, pottery, fine china and anything else I've sold on
eBay....and NEVER had it leave residue or harm the item.

The only thing I'd ever be concerned about would be plastics, but I've not
had a problem with any I've used it on....but I'd test first.

Kris
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

"Jonathan Sachs" <xxxxxxx.RemoveThis@earthlink.not> wrote in message
news:k3a7a15ak0vid2hkkmf2the5mhtcvf1042@4ax.com...
> On 5 Jun 2005 16:51:00 -0700, Allison Turner- <betonica.RemoveThis@sover.net>
> wrote:
>
>>>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>>>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>>>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>>
>>Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.
>
> I have heard good reports about lighter fluid, but I'm reluctant to
> trust it myself, because I think it is also likely to contain
> additives -- for practical reasons, if not aesthetic ones.
>
> I have had good experience with Bestine, a solvent readily available
> at art supply stores. A pint costs about $10 and lasts forever.
>
> I have never had a problem with Bestine dissolving ink. It can damage
> the finish on covers, though, and particularly stamping. A dab or two
> is almost always harmless, but if the problem requires sustained
> contact or rubbing, be very cautious.
>

MSDS for Bestine (heptane):
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~jsmith/MSDS/BESTINE%20SOLVENT%20&%20...NNER.ht

Lighter fluid is 95% light naptha, 5% medium aliphatic naptha.

I'm not a chemist, but it looks like neither would be great to sniff
for days at a time.

Kris
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

on Mon, 06 Jun 2005 02:44:38 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>
>
>"Allison Turner-" <betonica RemoveThis @sover.net> wrote in message
>news:d8035401ugb@drn.newsguy.com...
>> on Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:57:09 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>>>
>>>
>>>Lighter fluid. Take the dust jacket off the book, and pour lighter
>>>fluid to the *back* of the dust jacket (where the tape is), as well
>>>as the front. Let it soak in, then carefully lift the tape off. You
>>>might have to put a bit more lighter fluid on a *soft* cloth (like you
>>>clean your eyeglasses with) and carefully wipe off any glue
>>>residue.
>>>
>>>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>>>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>>>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>>>
>>>http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/
>>
>> Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.
>>
>> -at
>
>I've used lighter fluid to remove labels and gunk from books, paper, record
>album covers, glassware, pottery, fine china and anything else I've sold on
>eBay....and NEVER had it leave residue or harm the item.
>
>The only thing I'd ever be concerned about would be plastics, but I've not
>had a problem with any I've used it on....but I'd test first.

Yes, I would imagine it might damage some plastics, and can
see why it would mess with the finish on some covers.

Does anyone know whether it would be acceptable for removing
scotch tape (or maybe what I've got is cellophane tape) from
an old leather book? I've thought of using some sort of oil-
based conditioner that I'd condition the book with anyway,
and that might be preferable.

The book I have is a somewhat valuable (addall: $50-175) copy
of the Manual of Botany by Amos Eaton (1829); the front and
back boards were detached, but some "helpful" individual
reattached them with two wide (1") strips of tape, one over
the red and gold title strip. I will say that the tape has
probably preserved the lettering on the title strip, which I
appreciate, but some of the red leather is clearly more
thoroughly adhered to the tape than to the remainder of the
title strip. I've just left it as-is for fear of damaging it
further.

Any advice? Would lighter fluid lift off the gold lettering?
or dissolve the red dye in the title strip leather?


-Allison
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

"Allison Turner-" <betonica RemoveThis @sover.net> wrote in message
news:d81gdc029ib@drn.newsguy.com...
> on Mon, 06 Jun 2005 02:44:38 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>>
>>
>>"Allison Turner-" <betonica RemoveThis @sover.net> wrote in message
>>news:d8035401ugb@drn.newsguy.com...
>>> on Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:57:09 GMT, Kris Baker stated:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Lighter fluid. Take the dust jacket off the book, and pour lighter
>>>>fluid to the *back* of the dust jacket (where the tape is), as well
>>>>as the front. Let it soak in, then carefully lift the tape off. You
>>>>might have to put a bit more lighter fluid on a *soft* cloth (like you
>>>>clean your eyeglasses with) and carefully wipe off any glue
>>>>residue.
>>>>
>>>>GooGone and other "orange" products are petroleum distillates
>>>>with artificial scents and colors....and I've had them leave pale
>>>>orange stains on white paper. Plus, lighter fluid is the cheapest.
>>>>
>>>>http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/
>>>
>>> Wow. That doesn't dissolve the ink/print? I'm impressed.
>>>
>>> -at
>>
>>I've used lighter fluid to remove labels and gunk from books, paper,
>>record
>>album covers, glassware, pottery, fine china and anything else I've sold
>>on
>>eBay....and NEVER had it leave residue or harm the item.
>>
>>The only thing I'd ever be concerned about would be plastics, but I've not
>>had a problem with any I've used it on....but I'd test first.
>
> Yes, I would imagine it might damage some plastics, and can
> see why it would mess with the finish on some covers.
>
> Does anyone know whether it would be acceptable for removing
> scotch tape (or maybe what I've got is cellophane tape) from
> an old leather book? I've thought of using some sort of oil-
> based conditioner that I'd condition the book with anyway,
> and that might be preferable.
>
> The book I have is a somewhat valuable (addall: $50-175) copy
> of the Manual of Botany by Amos Eaton (1829); the front and
> back boards were detached, but some "helpful" individual
> reattached them with two wide (1") strips of tape, one over
> the red and gold title strip. I will say that the tape has
> probably preserved the lettering on the title strip, which I
> appreciate, but some of the red leather is clearly more
> thoroughly adhered to the tape than to the remainder of the
> title strip. I've just left it as-is for fear of damaging it
> further.
>
> Any advice? Would lighter fluid lift off the gold lettering?
> or dissolve the red dye in the title strip leather?
>
>
> -Allison

You could try a little tiny spot to see if it "lifts"....but if
this is library tape, *nothing* lifts it.

Kris
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 01:44:44 GMT, Jonathan Sachs <xxxxxxx RemoveThis @earthlink.not>
wrote:

>I have heard good reports about lighter fluid, but I'm reluctant to
>trust it myself, because I think it is also likely to contain
>additives -- for practical reasons, if not aesthetic ones.

What sort of additives ? A significant requirement of lighter fluid is
that it vapourises cleanly, without residues to clog a wick. It's a
reliable and convenient source of non-residue solvents.

Another good "workshop" solvent is car brake cleaner. Unlike carb
cleaner, this must also vapourise completely without residue.


Pressure sensitive tape is of course infamous as a problem for both
conservators and spies (an envelope sealed with Sellotape couldn't be
opened and re-sealed invisibly, at least in Peter Wright's day).

As much as the solvent chosen to remove the adhesive, you have to be
careful with the technique used too. Here's a good summary, although
it's quite an old article now.
http://aic.stanford.edu/jaic/articles/jaic23-02-003_indx.html
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

On 6 Jun 2005 05:43:24 -0700, Allison Turner- <betonica.DeleteThis@sover.net>
wrote:

>Any advice? Would lighter fluid lift off the gold lettering?
>or dissolve the red dye in the title strip leather?

"Removing" tape is easy - the hard part is not causing even more damage.
Dousing the book in a solution of the old glue in new solvent which then
soaks into the paper is a typical risk, as is solvent damage to the book
itself.

You need to do some testing first, testing parts of the spine blocking
with your solvents on a cotton bud (it need to be the spine for final
testing, as light may have made things even more fragile - however first
test on an inconspicuos inner part of the cover).

Personally I use toluene, or else toluene and cyclohexane, for removing
most tape. These are much less likely to cause trouble with leather,
although they may have an effect on some blocking. Using naptha as a
solvent (lighter fluid) is more likely to give colour changes on
leather. These may not be undesirable, if they're only found on spines
that have already dried out and faded.

You should definitely use a poultice to clean the resdue up, rather than
scrubbing at it - particularly with gold leaf. Vacuum tables are even
better (if you had one), but immersion is too likely to damage the
binding.
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

>>I've used lighter fluid to remove labels and gunk from books, paper, record
>>>album covers, glassware, pottery, fine china and anything else I've sold on
>>>eBay....and NEVER had it leave residue or harm the item.
>>>
>>>The only thing I'd ever be concerned about would be plastics, but I've not
>>>had a problem with any I've used it on....but I'd test first.
>
>
> Yes, I would imagine it might damage some plastics, and can
> see why it would mess with the finish on some covers.

Guaranteed to remove labels if you light it, but it will leave
visible stains.
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:50:21 +0100, Andy Dingley wrote:

>What sort of additives ? A significant requirement of lighter fluid is
>that it vapourises cleanly, without residues to clog a wick. It's a
>reliable and convenient source of non-residue solvents.

I'm not an industrial chemist, so I don't know. I do know that the
purpose of lighter fluid is to fuel lighters, not to remove adhesives,
so it is liable to contain any substance that assists the former use,
regardless of its effect on the latter one. An additive could cause
trouble in lots of ways that did not involve leaving a residue.

My attitude is that, considering the miniscule cost of something like
Bestine and the substantial value of the books we apply it to, "Better
safe than sorry" is a prudent policy.

My email address is LLM041103 at earthlink dot net.
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

"Jonathan Sachs" <xxxxxxx DeleteThis @earthlink.not> wrote in message
news:g549a19si57pbgch1qvi7gvbqold8kt44m@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:50:21 +0100, Andy Dingley wrote:
>
> >What sort of additives ? A significant requirement of lighter fluid is
> >that it vapourises cleanly, without residues to clog a wick. It's a
> >reliable and convenient source of non-residue solvents.
>
> I'm not an industrial chemist, so I don't know. I do know that the
> purpose of lighter fluid is to fuel lighters, not to remove adhesives,
> so it is liable to contain any substance that assists the former use,
> regardless of its effect on the latter one. An additive could cause
> trouble in lots of ways that did not involve leaving a residue.
>
> My attitude is that, considering the miniscule cost of something like
> Bestine and the substantial value of the books we apply it to, "Better
> safe than sorry" is a prudent policy.
>
> My email address is LLM041103 at earthlink dot net.


In all graphic design studios in pre computer days, standard lighter
fluid was used to clean up all the art work, to remove traces of rubber
solution, spray mount, finger prints and other marks from artwork
and boards etc. all of which needed to be pristine. The ordinary yellow
tins of Ronsol could be found everywhere, and were carried by all the
large Graphics suppliers. Maybe because it was a professional market
made up of people who knew what they were doing, nobody ever tried to
muscle in with a "specialised" product at a higher price.

michael adams

....
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ 

"Jonathan Sachs" <xxxxxxx.TakeThisOut@earthlink.not> wrote in message
news:g549a19si57pbgch1qvi7gvbqold8kt44m@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:50:21 +0100, Andy Dingley wrote:
>
>>What sort of additives ? A significant requirement of lighter fluid is
>>that it vapourises cleanly, without residues to clog a wick. It's a
>>reliable and convenient source of non-residue solvents.
>
> I'm not an industrial chemist, so I don't know. I do know that the
> purpose of lighter fluid is to fuel lighters, not to remove adhesives,
> so it is liable to contain any substance that assists the former use,
> regardless of its effect on the latter one. An additive could cause
> trouble in lots of ways that did not involve leaving a residue.

There's no additive, Jonathan. I posted the chemical
composition. It's 95% "light" naptha...and 5% "medium"
naptha.

> My attitude is that, considering the miniscule cost of something like
> Bestine and the substantial value of the books we apply it to, "Better
> safe than sorry" is a prudent policy.
>
> My email address is LLM041103 at earthlink dot net.

I suppose the decision should be based on environmental
facts, but the MSDS sheets on both had similar warnings.

Kris
 >> Stay informed about: Removing tape from DJ