Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I would try Bestine (Heptane) but it seems to have vanished from supply lines, "on back order" now for at least a year.
Anybody have any suggestions as to what else works, although bearing in mind the lack of value, maybe a blow torch would be worth trying.
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Cutting around the stamp and leaving some of the paper to protect the perfs. No mess, no dangerous (and potentially unhealthy) chemicals, no damage to the stamp, and much easier and much less time to do. The added thickness is no different than the thickness when using mounts. With the stamp cut out one can use hinges on the back paper without causing any damage to the stamp if the hinge is later removed. The technology of stamp production has changed. Time for collectors to do likewise.
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Yep, do that with the self adhesive Machins but wondered if there was another way. I had tried soaking them to no avail and eventually just dried them on the paper.
Problem comes where there are different stamps too close to each other to cut around. Guess they will just have to stay the way they are.
Thanks anyway Michael.
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"Problem comes where there are different stamps too close to each other to cut around."
You are correct. So, the answer to that is that we collectors need to adapt to where we give extra space between stamps on everthing that we mail so that the receiving collectors can easily collect the stamps.
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I have not tried this because I have never worried about this topic, but
a method to remove pesky unseemly labels purchased at some stores is using
a hair dryer at low temperatures. Watch these two videos...
It took almost 4 minutes, but worked.
This method is for postage stamps:
It took a bit over one minute to remove stamps
A respondent to the above video suggests another method... read his-her suggestion in the comments.
And this video is for the historically and scientifically inclined philatelist:
CHEMICALS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!
very interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3TwMX8Be7c
Good hunting!
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Using hot air may leave remainders of the glue on the stamps.
If you really want to get the stamps off the paper and to get the glue off, you could try lighter fuel, it's also a mix of liquid hydrocarbons. Or perhaps they'll sell you cleansing petrol in a pharmacy, it is used to get the remainders of sticky plaster off - but because it has to be very clean for medical purposes, it may be comparatively expensive. Turpentine or turpentine substitute works, too.
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Pure citrus is what you need. Unfortunately, seemingly not available in Canada.
Available at Amazon US and many stores. Works wonders on self-adhesive stamps.
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jmh67, neither lighter fuel or rubbing alcohol work, the latter actually dissolves some of the cancellation ink, especially on older stamps.
Turpentine, not sure I would want to use as it is an oil based product and may leave a residue on the stamp.
Agreed pure citrus, non aerosol, could work but not available in Canadian stores for some strange reason.
Guess I will cut around or wait until Bestine becomes available again.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
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"Agreed pure citrus, non aerosol, could work but not available in Canadian stores for some strange reason.
Guess I will cut around or wait until Bestine becomes available again."
Or find someone that will mail it up to you!
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I deliberately did not mention alcohol anyway, because it also dissolves some stamp printing inks, such as those of the red Mariannes and the gold 1st class Machins. As for turpentine residues, you can easily wash them out with petrol(eum spirit). IIRC turpentine substitute (also called "white spirit" in the UK) worked when I tried to get a Polish self-adhesive off the paper, but that was about ten years ago.
Maybe the glue kind of sets and hardens over time. If so, the stamps may fall off the paper anyway in a few years' time, like I have seen it happen (albeit inconsistently) with several self-adhesive Machins and German self-adhesives from about 2000.
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Went to soak off some 1980-90's stamps, no dice, cold water, hotter water, Un-Do, Goo gone, nowt seems to work.
I would try Bestine (Heptane) but it seems to have vanished from supply lines, "on back order" now for at least a year.
Anybody have any suggestions as to what else works, although bearing in mind the lack of value, maybe a blow torch would be worth trying.
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
Cutting around the stamp and leaving some of the paper to protect the perfs. No mess, no dangerous (and potentially unhealthy) chemicals, no damage to the stamp, and much easier and much less time to do. The added thickness is no different than the thickness when using mounts. With the stamp cut out one can use hinges on the back paper without causing any damage to the stamp if the hinge is later removed. The technology of stamp production has changed. Time for collectors to do likewise.
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
Yep, do that with the self adhesive Machins but wondered if there was another way. I had tried soaking them to no avail and eventually just dried them on the paper.
Problem comes where there are different stamps too close to each other to cut around. Guess they will just have to stay the way they are.
Thanks anyway Michael.
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
"Problem comes where there are different stamps too close to each other to cut around."
You are correct. So, the answer to that is that we collectors need to adapt to where we give extra space between stamps on everthing that we mail so that the receiving collectors can easily collect the stamps.
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
I have not tried this because I have never worried about this topic, but
a method to remove pesky unseemly labels purchased at some stores is using
a hair dryer at low temperatures. Watch these two videos...
It took almost 4 minutes, but worked.
This method is for postage stamps:
It took a bit over one minute to remove stamps
A respondent to the above video suggests another method... read his-her suggestion in the comments.
And this video is for the historically and scientifically inclined philatelist:
CHEMICALS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!
very interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3TwMX8Be7c
Good hunting!
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
Using hot air may leave remainders of the glue on the stamps.
If you really want to get the stamps off the paper and to get the glue off, you could try lighter fuel, it's also a mix of liquid hydrocarbons. Or perhaps they'll sell you cleansing petrol in a pharmacy, it is used to get the remainders of sticky plaster off - but because it has to be very clean for medical purposes, it may be comparatively expensive. Turpentine or turpentine substitute works, too.
Login to Like
this post
08:41:07am
re: Polish stamp adhesive
Pure citrus is what you need. Unfortunately, seemingly not available in Canada.
Available at Amazon US and many stores. Works wonders on self-adhesive stamps.
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
jmh67, neither lighter fuel or rubbing alcohol work, the latter actually dissolves some of the cancellation ink, especially on older stamps.
Turpentine, not sure I would want to use as it is an oil based product and may leave a residue on the stamp.
Agreed pure citrus, non aerosol, could work but not available in Canadian stores for some strange reason.
Guess I will cut around or wait until Bestine becomes available again.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
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this post
04:52:00pm
re: Polish stamp adhesive
"Agreed pure citrus, non aerosol, could work but not available in Canadian stores for some strange reason.
Guess I will cut around or wait until Bestine becomes available again."
Or find someone that will mail it up to you!
Login to Like
this post
re: Polish stamp adhesive
I deliberately did not mention alcohol anyway, because it also dissolves some stamp printing inks, such as those of the red Mariannes and the gold 1st class Machins. As for turpentine residues, you can easily wash them out with petrol(eum spirit). IIRC turpentine substitute (also called "white spirit" in the UK) worked when I tried to get a Polish self-adhesive off the paper, but that was about ten years ago.
Maybe the glue kind of sets and hardens over time. If so, the stamps may fall off the paper anyway in a few years' time, like I have seen it happen (albeit inconsistently) with several self-adhesive Machins and German self-adhesives from about 2000.
Login to Like
this post