Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Wax paper residue

Is there any safe way to get residue from wax paper of a tin sign? When an NOS sign sits for decades with that brown wax paper on it that it actually starts to stick to the sign. Sometimes so bad it will take the paint clear off when you peel it back. Had this situation with a couple different signs. Interested if there is a solution or not. Even if it is something you should do when removing paper.

I think a lot depends on the situation. A friend of mine had good results using a little dish soap on his finger and slowly working in a small area at a time. I tried on a different sign and the paint started coming up. Some paint sticks on a lot better than others, possibly due to paint type and surface prep when it was made. Also moisture and temperature probably tie in as well as other factors. I would try a small area on an edge away from the graphics and see what happens

Ill give it a try Wes. Thanks.

I had good luck with plain water, let it soak in and it should roll off with your finger

Water mixed with baby shampoo. This shampoo has little chemicals that negatively reacts with the paint on the sign. Let soak for while in bucket or tub. Take finger and gently remove paper. Have had good luck doing this. Even just cleaning painted signs - this solution seems safest and effective.

Try vinegar cut with water....then try straight vinegar if no results.
It's stronger then soap & less solvent then paint thinner.

I actually went ahead and tried a little bit of everyones suggestions. With the exception of letting the sign soak in water with baby shampoo. Thats not to say it isnt an effective method. But, after trying the Wes method first. I quickly learned that simply water was removing some of the paint from the sign. All the ideas you guys gave that i did try worked about the same. Once again, thanks for all the help.