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Seller sent a used lens; inventory sticker did not come away cleanly.
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Apr 23, 2016 03:02:08   #
forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA
 
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.

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Apr 23, 2016 04:06:06   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


A photo of the offending label might give us all an idea of what you are up against. Most camera stores used to loosely attached tags to lenses with string or rubber band. Adhesive labels sound like thrift stores! :?

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Apr 23, 2016 04:10:04   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


Gentle heat would be the best first step for getting the rest of the label off. Carefully use a hairdryer set on a low setting (and not getting too close to the lens) to warm the area that the sticker is in. You should find that the rest of the label comes off more easily.

For any glue that's left behind after that, I would recommend finding a suitable solvent to be used very sparingly with a cotton bud or swab. Or perhaps an alcohol-impregnated lens wipe. Then leave it somewhere warm to dry off. Don't use so much solvent that it can find its way into the groove between the lens body and the ring.

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Apr 23, 2016 04:22:04   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


A product named Goo-Gone is specifically made to remove adhesive labels. It is available at any hardware store and Amazon. Use a Q-tip with just a little of the solvent (not soaking wet) so that it doesn't get inside the lens. Alternate the application of the Goo-Gone with gentle scraping with a plastic instrument (plastic ball point pen cap works). It may take several applications, but the label will come off cleanly in a few minutes. If the label if off but there's still some advesive left, just go through the process once more. Should take care of it. Follow the label directions carefully. >Alan



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Apr 23, 2016 04:23:33   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


Noting and short of my first reply I can only guess. Can you peel it away with your finger tips and finger nails only?

You might try the method I use for removing labels (price tags) from used CDs, DVDs, and (many not all) vinyl LP albums covers.

I'll carefully pick a corner with a finger nail, much easier on plastic, or painted surfaces, or even metals, than a knife. Pull off the label or as much as you can. If more paper remains keep picking at its edge. If it comes off cleanly you are done.

If adhesive residue remains the safest thing I've found for removing adhesive for price tags on the above media, and I know this will sound odd, is 1) Human Ear Wax; 2) Human Facial Skin Oil (say from near the nose or ears). Rub a tiny bit of that oil on the adhesive and it mixes with the oil and comes right off. Can work on glossy resin paper covered LP jackets too.

There is something about human skin oil and record shop labels. I've found Butter does not work.

If the adhesive does not come off with rubbing you might try dabbing then rubbing Alcohol on the label's remains. Do not use Acetone as it will take the paint off the lens barrel and damage the vinyl parts as well.

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Apr 23, 2016 05:22:00   #
par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.
 
Rubbing Alcohol

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Apr 23, 2016 05:30:07   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
par4fore wrote:
Rubbing Alcohol


Rubbing alcohol absolutely does not work on sticker adhesive. That's why they sell Goo-Gone.

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Apr 23, 2016 05:31:47   #
Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH
 
aellman wrote:
A product named Goo-Gone is specifically made to remove adhesive labels. It is available at any hardware store and Amazon. Use a Q-tip with just a little of the solvent (not soaking wet) so that it doesn't get inside the lens. Alternate the application of the Goo-Gone with gentle scraping with a plastic instrument (plastic ball point pen cap works). It may take several applications, but the label will come off cleanly in a few minutes. If the label if off but there's still some advesive left, just go through the process once more. Should take care of it. Follow the label directions carefully. >Alan
A product named Goo-Gone is specifically made to r... (show quote)

Goo-Gone will run, and it will leave a chemical residue. Use caution.

I have used this product on many surfaces, but I would hesitate to use it on a lens.

I would try to use alcohol wipes after the gentle heat mentioned above.

Just make sure to clean your counter or table surfaces first, to avoid blowing any dust onto the lens mechanisms.

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Apr 23, 2016 05:45:56   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
Szalajj wrote:
Goo-Gone will run, and it will leave a chemical residue. Use caution.

I have used this product on many surfaces, but I would hesitate to use it on a lens.

I would try to use alcohol wipes after the gentle heat mentioned above.

Just make sure to clean your counter or table surfaces first, to avoid blowing any dust onto the lens mechanisms.


As I said about Goo-Gone, caution is needed, but I have never found that alcohol dissolves label adhesives. On the other hand, the alcohol would probably remove any leftover Goo-Gone residue.

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Apr 23, 2016 05:55:55   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


Gently remove what you can with a fingernail, then moisten an old wash cloth or similar rag with lighter fluid and rub. I use that to remove old JCII stickers, labels off of glass jars, plastic bottles, etc. An old tee shirt also works well. May take several applications, depending on how gummy the label is. Use a clean part of the rag each time. Simplest way I know.

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Apr 23, 2016 06:05:38   #
WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


Small amount of WD-40 works great.

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Apr 23, 2016 06:55:12   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
RWR wrote:
Gently remove what you can with a fingernail, then moisten an old wash cloth or similar rag with lighter fluid and rub. I use that to remove old JCII stickers, labels off of glass jars, plastic bottles, etc. An old tee shirt also works well. May take several applications, depending on how gummy the label is. Use a clean part of the rag each time. Simplest way I know.


Great alternative. I would advise not smoking while performing this procedure. :lol:

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Apr 23, 2016 07:38:41   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
aellman wrote:
Great alternative. I would advise not smoking while performing this procedure. :lol:


:thumbup: :thumbup:

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Apr 23, 2016 09:08:39   #
tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
 
Used a product called "labeloff" which has never failed removing labels, even wine labels, without a glich. My supply has lasted a decade or more. I put labels on my lens caps and hoods to identify which lens they are associated with. When I sell, remove the label using this product. No residue whatsoever.

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Apr 23, 2016 15:08:26   #
sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant
 
forjava wrote:
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I remote-bought a used 60mm micro D AF lens. The barrel's flat surfaces and a non-flat ring exterior are contaminated but at least I know the seller's inventory number.

I'm looking to UHH for advice on how to get the rest of this generic sticker off of the lens so that the result is as if the label had never been there.

I could have returned the lens but I feel responsible to a well-crafted item. My goals are to not scuff or otherwise degrade the finish while getting the adhesive all off so the lens looks and feels (to my fingertips) as it should.
So I got some free sticker gum and paper when I re... (show quote)


I use goo gone when I have to remove sticker residue from camera equipment

Reply
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