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Sticker removal... from Vidmar

Squashfest81

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Really just wanted to show off. My first real cabinet. 7 drawer, basically 5 by 5.
Is it a Vidmar?
Now, what's the best way to get the stickers off?
I'll share price, but be warned.
 
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Trey T

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brake cleaner works for me. from the look of the pull handle and rail, that look like a Vidmar. What you plan to store in there?
 
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Squashfest81

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I'll start with a hairdryer and go from there. Lots of masking tape residue.
Planning to use this way under capacity. I'm thinking most of my tools will fit in 2 to 3 drawers.
It's silly heavy. Can I just add casters in the corners?
 

Lippyp

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Believe it or not baby wipes do a great job of removing glue. I use them regularly to remove glue residue from the headlamp masks we have to use when we take our car over to France.
 

PFSard

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I seem to remember you hitting on a bunch of machinist tools a while back. U **** more on this hit. $75 is unheard of on that type of storage. Maybe you'll find more tools at a bargain to fill it up.
 
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Squashfest81

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I sent that pic to my wife and she made a joke about bunk beds.
Strouty, pm sent.
Good memory PF. Slowly selling that stuff off.
It is unheard of, but it does happen. This posted on craigs, I was first to email, made a plan, and the post was deleted. If you hadn't checked within that 2 hours, you would never know. Also helps that it was simply listed as "toolbox" and on RI not Boston.
 
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Squashfest81

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Hosed off, oiled, and back together. Yes, that tiny thing on the second drawer is an actual beer can.
 
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mopar66

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Oh you ****! I just missed it. I was hoping it was going to show up on here.
 

PureLeaf

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So adhesive removal is part of my profession as an object conservator. The way you want to approach this is from least invasive methods to most.

A sticker is most likely composed of at least three layers. The aesthetic decal, a carrier layer, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Over time the pressure sensitive adhesive has separated from the carrier layer and created better adhesion with your painted surface.

Two ways to go about its removal. Mechanical and Chemical. The suggestions people are making about using a hair dryer is what I would attempt first. This is basically vibrating the molecules within the adhesive to raise it above its glass transition temperature (also know as Tg). For adhesives, this is the temperature at which they change from hard to soft and rubbery. Once you've achieved this, you can use like a dull scraper and carefully remove the layer without damaging the underlying paint

If this isn't succeeding. You could look at establishing a solvent that the adhesive you're trying to remove is soluble in, but that the underlying paint layer is not. First establish what solvents the paint is not soluble in. I would start with these choices (Water, Ethanol, White Spirit aka Stoddard solvent, Acetone, Xylene, and Toluene). Once you've established what won't damage the paint, try swabbing those solvents onto the adhesive.
 
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Squashfest81

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Mopar66, you can always come visit it.
I'll be careful with the brakeclean.
Thanks Leaf, good stuff. Tg= glass transition temperature!
 

PureLeaf

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Those stickers look very old, I wouldn't expect too much luck with working on really old adhesives and a blow dryer.

Over time the carbon oxygen carbon single/double bonds will break down and yellow. They also become brittle. You could try carefully trying to scrap it away with a good edge from like a no. 12 or no. 15 scalpel blade, or soften it with a solvent to make it sticky. If its really old, you may have have to use a cotton poultice to hold the solvent onto the area (also cover the poultice to slow evaporation of the solvent from it). Then mechanically remove with an edged blade or scraper when the adhesive is soft.
 
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Squashfest81

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Got to scraping the stickers. Used wd and some cut and sharpened plastic for a scraper. The other half to go and then I'll scrub with goo gone, simple green,... Local place didn't have the 3m remover.
She's looking much more respectable.
 

Yojinbo

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Oklahoma
Nice cabinet! I have few of those Vidmar Double-Wides (DW) and I am amazed at how much they hold.

Your drawer handles look fine to me, but if you decide to re-paint the cabinet you will be pulling them off anyway. So consider a new set:

http://quickship.stanleyvidmar.com/quickship/drawer-accessories/drawer-pull-kits

That item number is good for 10 new aluminum pulls with white plastic side guards and a clear label front (no more stickers needed). The only problem is you will be looking for more cabinets when you don't come on "even" on your new handles.
 
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Squashfest81

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Depot was a bust. No 3m remover. Tried some goof off I had on the top 4 drawers I had scraped. Worked great. I'll get to the final 3 later.
 

Strouty

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Glad to see it all clean! I think stunner is a little strong for that shade of green. I found some more drawer dividers to go with the trade.
 
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Squashfest81

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Strouty just let the cat out of the bag. We're trading this for his shorter grey unit known as "Don't Worry."
 
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