HP Laserjet bumper sticker remover

J

Jeff Liebermann

Guest
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
 
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
Click to expand...
Can you get it apart far enough to put the panels through the dishwasher
a few times?

Cheers

Phil Hobbs
--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510
845-480-2058

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net
 
In article <2pi2m7ps5j5relf7gbp0vtst3kd7go1pbt@4ax.com>,
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?
Click to expand...
I've had pretty good success with mineral spirits, but sometimes it
takes a while. First, make sure there's not a left-over plastic film on
top of the adhesive -- if there is, the solvent won't do anything.

Get a folded rag pretty damp with the spirits and drape it over the
printer (you may have to do this one side at the time). As you said,
sometimes the goo just won't dissolve, but it will get soft, so go after
it with a toothbrush (to loosen) and a nearly dry paper towel (to wipe
up); it will load up with goo and need to be replaced fairly often.

Also, *carefully applied* heat can do wonders; many of the adhesives
that are rock hard at room temperature soften up nicely after a few
minutes in front of an incandescent bulb in a reflector. If you can do
the heat trick first, it's often possible to pull the stickers off
intact, especially if you peel slooooowly.

Or, I suppose you could just take it to Earl Scheib 8^}

Isaac
 
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:2pi2m7ps5j5relf7gbp0vtst3kd7go1pbt@4ax.com...
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
Click to expand...


I always start with a hot air gun on low heat and finger nails (not
simultaneously)
 
On 3/14/2012 11:21 PM, isw wrote:
In article<2pi2m7ps5j5relf7gbp0vtst3kd7go1pbt@4ax.com>,
Jeff Liebermann<jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

Or, I suppose you could just take it to Earl Scheib 8^}

Isaac
Click to expand...
That was my thought, just paint over it.
Mikek
 
I'm surprised Goo-Gone won't remove it.

Ditto for MEK. That'll dissolve anything -- including your lungs.
 
"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> schreef in bericht
news:2pi2m7ps5j5relf7gbp0vtst3kd7go1pbt@4ax.com...
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
Click to expand...
I always use white spirit though it might be too strong for the plastics
involved. Some stronger solvents usually tend to damage the surface so I
kept away from them. If anyone ever used a solvent that solves the plastic
only slightly, part of the dirt may be catched in the surface and (almost)
impossible to remove.

petrus bitbyter
 
On Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:07:24 -0700, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price. I soon discovered why it was so cheap. A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement. Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer. Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409. All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy. I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?
Click to expand...
Should take less than one can of spray paint -- choose your favorite
color at an auto supply store...

Jonesy
 
On Mar 14, 7:07 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
I bought an HP LaserJet 2300dtn on eBay for much less than usual
price.  I soon discovered why it was so cheap.  A past owner had
embalmed the printer in layers of bumper stickers, pogs, labels, and
rubber cement.  Most of this was removed by the vendor, but I think he
just gave up trying to clean up the printer.  Much of the glue and goo
is still attached to the printer, along with some dirt which helps
make the goo more visible.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, Goo Gone sticker lifter (citrus
power), Oops! remover, WD-40, ammonia cleaner, and 409.  All of these
soften the gum and goo to various degrees, but leave enough imbedded
in the textured plastic surface to make the printer look filthy.  I
hesitate to try a stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent for fear of
destroying the ABS plastic.

Can anyone recommend a favorite solvent or cleaner for sticky goo and
gum?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
#http://802.11junk.com              je...@cruzio.com
#http://www.LearnByDestroying.com              AE6KS
Click to expand...
Jeff,

You're right in the area:

the Plastics experts for YEARS! These guys KNOW plastic.


San Leandro HQ 510 357 3755

TAP Plastics (408) 292 8685
1212 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95125

TAP Plastics Inc (408) 265-6400
1008 Blossom Hill Rd # F
San Jose, CA 95123

TAP Plastics Inc (650) 962-8430
312 Castro St
Mtn View, CA 94041

<http://www.tapplastics.com>
 
On Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:05:25 -0400, Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

Can you get it apart far enough to put the panels through the dishwasher
a few times?
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
Click to expand...
Yes, but I'm not sure a dishwasher is such a great idea. The ABS
plastic will probably melt in the dishwasher. I also tried hot water
and laundry detergent, without much luck.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:21:13 -0700, isw <isw@witzend.com> wrote:

I've had pretty good success with mineral spirits, but sometimes it
takes a while.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried mineral spirits, but I'll give it a try. So far, I
have about 2-3 hours of brute force cleaning. I'm making progress,
but so far, it still looks "dirty".

First, make sure there's not a left-over plastic film on
top of the adhesive -- if there is, the solvent won't do anything.
Click to expand...
No film. This is genuine, uncoated, ABS.

Get a folded rag pretty damp with the spirits and drape it over the
printer (you may have to do this one side at the time). As you said,
sometimes the goo just won't dissolve, but it will get soft, so go after
it with a toothbrush (to loosen) and a nearly dry paper towel (to wipe
up); it will load up with goo and need to be replaced fairly often.
Click to expand...
Good idea. I've been using paper towels, but I think I can get more
force and deeper into the surface finish with a rag and brush. At
this point, a toothbrush is probably too weak. A laundry brush might
be better.

Also, *carefully applied* heat can do wonders; many of the adhesives
that are rock hard at room temperature soften up nicely after a few
minutes in front of an incandescent bulb in a reflector. If you can do
the heat trick first, it's often possible to pull the stickers off
intact, especially if you peel slooooowly.
Click to expand...
I don't want to try heat quite yet. I'm afraid of melting the dirt
into the "textured" surface.

Or, I suppose you could just take it to Earl Scheib 8^}
Click to expand...
Too late. They closed up in 2010.
<http://www.earlscheib.com>

This is more interesting:
<http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/>
<http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2009-02-12-de-yellowing%20recipe.htm>
I've been experimenting with small plastic parts and getting mixed
results.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On 15 Mar 2012 14:15:13 GMT, Allodoxaphobia
<knock_yourself_out@example.net> wrote:

Should take less than one can of spray paint -- choose your favorite
color at an auto supply store...
Jonesy
Click to expand...
Great idea. Too bad the paint probably won't stick to the remaining
goo on the plastic.

I didn't bother to take a photo before I started, but here's the eBay
page:
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/130659281942>
See the 4 photos furthur down the page. The top cover looked "dirty"
in the photo, which I presumed would be easy to clean. I didn't
realize it was sticky goo residue, impervious to various mild
chemicals. What's not obvious from the photo is that the entire top,
and both sides were coated with the thin layer of the same sticky goo.
It's far worse than it looks in the photos. There were tiny bits of
bumper sticker material left attached to the sticky goo, which is a
clue as to what happened.

On the good side, the price is right, it prints cleanly, is in quite
good condition inside, has done well at 160,000 page, included an
apparently good Jetdirect card, and included a "Bar Codes and More"
ROM. Now, if I can only get it to look nice.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
I don't remember everything from the original post. Did you try MEK?
 
On Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:52:09 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

I don't remember everything from the original post. Did you try MEK?
Click to expand...
No, and I won't try it. MEK eats most plastics including ABS. MEK
and acetone are sold as "plastic glue" which works by liquifying the
plastic. I don't want to try stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon
solvents.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On Mar 15, 8:44 am, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

I didn't bother to take a photo before I started, but here's the eBay
page:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130659281942
See the 4 photos furthur down the page.  The top cover looked "dirty"
in the photo, which I presumed would be easy to clean.  I didn't
realize it was sticky goo residue, impervious to various mild
chemicals.  What's not obvious from the photo is that the entire top,
and both sides were coated with the thin layer of the same sticky goo.
It's far worse than it looks in the photos.  There were tiny bits of
bumper sticker material left attached to the sticky goo, which is a
clue as to what happened.

On the good side, the price is right, it prints cleanly, is in quite
good condition inside, has done well at 160,000 page, included an
apparently good Jetdirect card, and included a "Bar Codes and More"
ROM.  Now, if I can only get it to look nice.
Click to expand...
Try advertising for a completely cashed-in model, and take the shell.

Or you might find one on the side of the road. Much to my annoyance,
no one sells plastic lampshades for torchieres. Years of incandescent
lightbulb heat caused ours to crack and chip. Searching for a
replacement went nowhere. I finally bought a bowl from a restaurant
supply store and drilled a hole in the bottom.

But then, on our Sunday morning latte walk, I found an entire
torchiere on the side of the road. I quickly unscrewed the shade and
took it home. It was proof the the Lord smiled upon out Sunday morning
ritual.
 
I don't remember everything from the original post. Did you try MEK?

No, and I won't try it. MEK eats most plastics including ABS. MEK
and acetone are sold as "plastic glue" which works by liquifying the
plastic. I don't want to try stronger chlorinated hydrocarbon
solvents.
Click to expand...
You're probably right, but... You can always test it on the inside.
 
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:21:13 -0700, isw <isw@witzend.com> wrote:

Or, I suppose you could just take it to Earl Scheib 8^}

Too late. They closed up in 2010.
http://www.earlscheib.com
Click to expand...

Then go to MAACO, or use a rattlecan. :)


--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.
 
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
news:8m14m7p8cgmi70dlafc132us6idqpo8j6e@4ax.com:

On Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:05:25 -0400, Phil Hobbs
pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

Can you get it apart far enough to put the panels through the dishwasher
a few times?
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Yes, but I'm not sure a dishwasher is such a great idea. The ABS
plastic will probably melt in the dishwasher. I also tried hot water
and laundry detergent, without much luck.
Click to expand...
when you wash electronic stuff in the auto dishwasher(ADW),you must turn
off the drying heat.

remove the items and dry them outside the ADW.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com
 
When you wash electronic stuff in a dishwasher,
you must turn off the drying heat.
Click to expand...
True, but... Just running cold water through the machine warms it, possibly
to the point where it can melt plastic. I learned this 50 years ago, when GE
supplied a clear plastic top to demo its "portable" dishwashers. You were
warned not to run the demo more than one cycle without letting the water
cool down.
 
Phil Hobbs wrote:
Can you get it apart far enough to put the panels through the
dishwasher a few times?
Click to expand...
The glue could gum up the pump and filter.

I'd stick to hand washing, maybe with Soft Scrub or other liquid abrasive.


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