My Christmas wish.

[Phonoboy]

Often, as I am sure all of you can attest, I'll find a few nice records in antique shops only to discover a price sticker on the label. This fact annoys me to no end, as I find it nearly impossible to remove said sticker
Without marring the label. What I want this year is for dealers to stop this practice. Incidentally; if anyone has a proven method for safety removing the offending sticker do let me know.

[VintageTechnologies]

It is sometimes no picnic to removed old gummed labels from the groove area either.

[epigramophone]

Old gummed labels can be removed by sparingly smearing on a wetting agent such as washing up liquid and then adding a little water. The wetting agent encourages the water to penetrate the label which can then be carefully removed while still damp.

Modern self adhesive labels are much more difficult to remove. The longer they have been stuck on the more reluctant they will be to peel off, and even if the paper peels off it may leave a sticky residue. This can be removed by rubbing with margarine, which is fine on the record surface but is unsuitable for the label as it will leave a greasy mark.

Here is the label of a 110 year old record, which despite great care on my part still shows where the price label had been :

[Phonoboy]

Old gummed labels can be removed by sparingly smearing on a wetting agent such as washing up liquid and then adding a little water. The wetting agent encourages the water to penetrate the label which can then be carefully removed while still damp.

Modern self adhesive labels are much more difficult to remove. The longer they have been stuck on the more reluctant they will be to peel off, and even if the paper peels off it may leave a sticky residue. This can be removed by rubbing with margarine, which is fine on the record surface but is unsuitable for the label as it will leave a greasy mark.

Here is the label of a 110 year old record, which despite great care on my part still shows where the price label had been :

What a shame.

[Wolfe]

Only method I've used is to peel them extraordinarily slowly.

I can also leave them on, but certain labels, like the ones that come from those "pricing guns" (and that thrift stores are very fond of) are just too beastly.

[colmike1]

There is a rubber cement solvent called Bestine (available at art supply stores) that will remove stickers & residue and does not stain the paper labels. It takes a bit of patience (you cannot rush it) but does an incredible job on record labels, books and other paper goods

[winsleydale]

Luckily, my local thrift shops have all forgone price stickers in favor of a sign beside the record bins stating a flat price applicable to anything in the bins.

[epigramophone]

There is a rubber cement solvent called Bestine (available at art supply stores) that will remove stickers & residue and does not stain the paper labels. It takes a bit of patience (you cannot rush it) but does an incredible job on record labels, books and other paper goods

I found Bestine on Amazon, but unfortunately not in the UK.

[Phonoboy]

There is a rubber cement solvent called Bestine (available at art supply stores) that will remove stickers & residue and does not stain the paper labels. It takes a bit of patience (you cannot rush it) but does an incredible job on record labels, books and other paper goods

Sounds promising.

[Phonoboy]

Luckily, my local thrift shops have all forgone price stickers in favor of a sign beside the record bins stating a flat price applicable to anything in the bins.

Smart, but even without a bin they could put the record in a freezer bag and put the price sticker on that.