Solved Removing stickers from my laptop

kbronski · Dec 6, 2012

Earlier this semester, I bought the ASUS Transformer Infinity TF700t tablet and just got the keyboard dock for it a couple days ago. Therefore, I am currently prepping my laptop to sell it. The biggest prep work isn't doing a fresh install of the OS and drivers, but rather physically removing stickers from the lid (it was my form of anti-theft; cover a $1200 laptop in stickers and people will be less inclined to steal it). It's an HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Edition and so it has, to my knowledge, an aluminum casing (including the lid cover). I don't know if anyone would know how to go about this without risking damage to the lid. Should I remove the lid, take it apart, and soak that piece in warm, soapy water prior to taking the stickers off? Will that, like removing labels from a wine bottle, help to loosen the adhesive bond? Or should I just scrape them off with a razor blade?
I just don't want to break it before I sell it! :huh:

mitchell65 · Dec 6, 2012

It all depends on the adhesive that is on the stickers,. You might have some with water soluble glue and others with solvent soluble glue. I would try a single edge razor blade and very carefull try to get under the sticker on one corner and see if you can lift the sticker off. Then try a cotton bud with warm water to gently soak the residue of glue and paper. If that dosn't work try another cotton bud with nail polish remover. Be careful not to let that get near any plastic parts. Depending how long the stickers have been on there you could see a permanent mark where they have been.

alikhan · Dec 6, 2012

You could use some LCD cleaning fluid, that is safe and will not cause any discoloring or else the simplest way would be aftershave or perfume, dries within 10 minutes and your NB will smell nice for a few days.

kbronski · Dec 6, 2012

I'm using the straight-blade razor (from my Stanley utility knife) approach to getting the stickers off. I'll try some of the suggested chemical methods to remove any residue that's left over.

Progress so far.

alikhan · Dec 6, 2012

kbronski said:
I'm using the straight-blade razor (from my Stanley utility knife) approach to getting the stickers off. I'll try some of the suggested chemical methods to remove any residue that's left over.

Progress so far.

Looks pretty neat so far.

kbronski · Dec 6, 2012

Stickers are all off. There's a lot of residue left over in some places, even after additional scraping.
Later, probably this weekend, I'll work at getting the residue off.
It looks naked. :eek:

sgage · Dec 6, 2012

kbronski said:
Stickers are all off. There's a lot of residue left over in some places, even after additional scraping.
Later, probably this weekend, I'll work at getting the residue off.
It looks naked.

There is a product, whose name escapes me, made just for your situation. Google around with 'removing stickers' and I'll bet you'll find it. It is formulated to cut through the crappy adhesives with absolutely minimal "collateral damage".

Good luck!

Britton30 · Dec 6, 2012

Some US products..
Google

For the UK
http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&t...055420c0027e4b&bpcl=39650382&biw=1920&bih=885

Cigarette lighter fluid (naptha) should work too.

Layback Bear · Dec 6, 2012

mayonnaise soften many glues.

mitchell65 · Dec 6, 2012

Layback Bear said:
mayonnaise soften many glues.

Maybe it's the vinegar in it that does that. It is a mild acid after all! Good tip though. thanks!

Lady Fitzgerald · Dec 6, 2012

It's the oil in mayonnaise that soften adhesives. Baby oil will do the same. Commercial adhesive removers include Goo Gone ad Goof Off.

Britton30 · Dec 6, 2012

Lady Fitzgerald said:
It's the oil in mayonnaise that soften adhesives. Baby oil will do the same. Commercial adhesive removers include Goo Gone ad Goof Off.

Yeah! Goof Off was what I couldn't think of. Work real well but smells bad.

kbronski · Dec 6, 2012

Thanks, everybody, for all of the suggestions! I might know of a couple people on my campus who'd be likely to have Goo Gone. I'll keep you posted as I make further progress.

Layback Bear · Dec 6, 2012

Lady Fitzgerald said:
It's the oil in mayonnaise that soften adhesives. Baby oil will do the same. Commercial adhesive removers include Goo Gone ad Goof Off.

Mayonnaise tastes better.

pricetech · Dec 6, 2012

Rubbing Alcohol or Hand Cleaner ("cream" type, not the gritty type)

jadinolf · Dec 6, 2012

I have heard of this product which might help.

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...78.1195.0j4j5-1.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.iNltD3bawkg

jeepmann4x4 · Dec 6, 2012

Lemon juice works well.

kbronski · Dec 7, 2012

So far, just scrubbing at the adhesive with an old sock dipped in water is working pretty well. As mitchell65 said, there are some permanent-looking lines left over, but nothing that stands out too bad. When I get all the adhesive cleaned off, I'll post a "finished" picture.

Britton30 · Dec 8, 2012

Well you have umpteen suggestions to try.

I suspect you'll need one of the solvents mentioned to get all the bits off, or one arm will get a good workout.

kbronski · Dec 8, 2012

It ended up being a combination of elbow grease, water, and Lysol all-purpose cleaner, but the end result is the laptop looking like new again. The Lysol even took care of the lines and patchy appearance left over by the stickers.

Here is a timeline picture of the entire thing.

Solved Removing stickers from my laptop

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