Cleaning painted labels

Tips and Hints on Cleaning Collectable Bottles

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chaunasknight
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Cleaning painted labels

#1

Post by chaunasknight »

For painted labels, I use Whink's rust stain remover, found in the laundry aisle in the local supermarket.

I moisten a q tip with it and very gently rub in little circles over any stains. I never saturate the qtip nor pour straight on the label because i am afraid too much may loosen the paint. It may not, as I have never tried, but it isn't worth the risk. I never rub too hard, nor too much at once. I rub a bit, let it sit and dry a while, then repeat. Sometimes a half dozen times as more and more comes off. For stubborn spots, I will dab a little Whink's on it, not too much just dampen it a little, and let it set a spell before giving it the qtip treatment.

After digging a painted label, I never clean it for a least a week or two. It seems the soil moisture seeps into the paint and makes it real easy to remove. Therfore I let new finds sit, preferable in the sun, for a spell to let the paint get good and dry.

Whink's also works good cleaning rust stains that form on a bottle due to being next to something rusty in a dump for years. Also cleans stains inside the bottles. You can use the stuff straight for that. I have a bottle I pour it back into and reuse for a number of bottles before discarding. As some spots inside you can't always reach to scrub on, the thumb over the top and a good shake helps.

Wish I had some before and after pictures to share, you'd be amazed.
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Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
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PA Will
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Re: Cleaning painted labels

#2

Post by PA Will »

Nice tip!
Always looking for Carlisle bottles, Natty Boh, PBR & PA cone tops.
chaunasknight
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Re: Cleaning painted labels

#3

Post by chaunasknight »

Just wondering if anyone has given this a try. If so, care to share your results?
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
chaunasknight
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Posts: 2026
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:44 pm
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Rusty Bunch Member Number: 425
BCCA Number: 28097
eBay name: hop_gold
Year Started Collecting: 1984
Location: Woodland WA
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Status: Offline
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Re: Cleaning painted labels

#4

Post by chaunasknight »

I just came across this bottle I dug a couple months back and thought I'd do a quick cleaning as described above as an example. Notice the bottom half of the label looks better then the top half, which is kind of blotchy. That's because I didn't follow my own advice and pour Winks straight onto the label on the top half. It cause the paint to smear ven when gently dabbed with the Q-Tip. If I took the time to reapply a few times just on those rust spots they would most likely alomost all come off too.
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Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
chaunasknight
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Posts: 2026
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:44 pm
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Rusty Bunch Member Number: 425
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Year Started Collecting: 1984
Location: Woodland WA
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Re: Cleaning painted labels

#5

Post by chaunasknight »

Whinks does wonders cleaning out burnt stuff out of glass utensils too
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
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willssoda
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Re: Cleaning painted labels

#6

Post by willssoda »

I use bar keepers friend on white ACL works great.
Interested in all flat and Cone Soda and Water cans.
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