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Post by nick2302 on Nov 21, 2023 18:02:57 GMT
After literally soaking some stamps in Stamp Lift I let the stamps dry. When I went to get them up so I can put them in my stock that needs to be researched and mounted if I don't have that stamp. When I touched them, I realized they were still not only sticky but stuck to each other. Very frustrating!!! Does anyone have a method of making US stamps less sticky after being removed from paper? I am about to leave them on paper and mount them in my binders if they are needed. I am really surprised that Stamp Lift was not very effective making the stamp clean, dry and easy to mount. I know the USPO is concerned the stamps if easy removed could be used again, so they put glue like permanently sticking the stamp on whatever it is stuck on.
Any suggestions, methods, ideas I am open to too any solution.
Thanks
Nick
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philatelia
Member 
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,416
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 21, 2023 19:38:16 GMT
I leave them on the paper. I don’t trust the long term effects of using the various strong chemicals like pure citrus.  |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,721 
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Nov 21, 2023 19:48:29 GMT
I leave them on the paper. I don’t trust the long term effects of using the various strong chemicals like pure citrus. I agree with Terri philatelia - Better than that I do not collect sticky stamps but use the Canada Post ones (bklts) for postage only - my grain of salt on this beautiful Tuesday, 0C, Canada - My sole opinion, only  René For safety reasons, besides 3% Peroxide - no other chemicals ! (I use the lighter fluid and Stamplift in a well ventilated room) |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,416
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 21, 2023 23:07:32 GMT
Rene, renden, I’m with you on the importance of safety. I love my hobby, but I’m not going to risk my health by using potentially harmful chemicals just to make a stamp look prettier in an album. That’s my personal view only. BUT we are all adults - free to make our own choices regarding smoking, alcohol, drugs, chemicals. Your body, your decision, your stamps. |
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Post by nick2302 on Nov 21, 2023 23:45:28 GMT
I have decided for US stamps that refuse to come off the paper cleanly no matter what is used to lift them off, I will leave them on paper with a trim paper edge sticking out. I really do not see the point for that kind of glue. Bad for stamp collecting.
Nick
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swvl
Member
Posts: 525
What I collect: FDCs, plus some US modern and new issues. Topical interests include music, art, literature, baseball, space...
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Post by swvl on Nov 21, 2023 23:52:16 GMT
Modern (self-adhesive) US stamps make up a lot of my collection. I leave them on the paper, trimmed neatly. It works and they look nice that way, IMO.
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,610
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Nov 22, 2023 1:56:04 GMT
I’m not going to risk my health by using potentially harmful chemicals ... When I was a kiddo I used carbon tetrachloride (as did much of the hobby) to check watermarks. That was back before it became recognized as a "bad" chemical. |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,416
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 22, 2023 4:25:48 GMT
I’m not going to risk my health by using potentially harmful chemicals ... When I was a kiddo I used carbon tetrachloride (as did much of the hobby) to check watermarks. That was back before it became recognized as a "bad" chemical. I should have explained that I have allergy induced asthma - exposure to certain chemicals can trigger an instant asthma attack. So for me it’s not a hypothetical risk. LoL your post kinda made me think of all those jokes about the “dangerous” things we used to do - have you ever read those? Like “how is it we survived growing up drinking out of the garden hose?” and other bygone practices. Sometimes the precautions we hear border on silliness and über paranoia. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Nov 22, 2023 14:58:49 GMT
To each his or her own -- the beauty of stamp collecting.
I don't care for the look of various colors of closely cropped envelope paper framing the stamps and regularly use Pure Citrus to both remove self-adhesives from paper and the adhesive from the stamps that I desire to keep.
I have not found a need to apply talc or corn starch as I'm able to remove all of the adhesive.
I figure if I can eat an orange, its fragrance can't be too bad for me.
As to any long term effects, only time will tell (we also don't know the long term effects of the adhesive and/or envelope paper on which the stamp has been affixed).
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,416
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Nov 22, 2023 15:28:19 GMT
The discussion is a perfect example of the finest qualities of The Stamp Forum - we can even somewhat disagree and still discuss quite amicably. I have to say that I’ve seen examples of Steve’s tomiseksj use of Pure Citrus and - I don’t know how he does it, but his results are the best I’ve ever encountered. No fading or gum residue anywhere. I’ve been tempted to put on a respirator and try to replicate his results on stamps that are on cardboard or can’t be neatly trimmed, but decided to play it safe. They do look better and are less bulky in an album when off paper. Oh well, as long as all of mine are on similar white papers and trimmed the same, they look ok. |
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Post by nick2302 on Nov 22, 2023 19:13:02 GMT
I just hope the paper that the stamp is stuck to doesn't damage the stamp over time. I will be upset if I can't get the stamp off paper and decide to keep on paper and the paper does something bad for the stamp. I have tried to buy just one or even a corner block from the PO and they won't do that.
I had to buy a whole sheet of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the Indian chief. I already have a sheet of the space stamp and Strega Nona. So that will last me a very long time.
Nick
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Nov 22, 2023 21:58:44 GMT
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sudbury12000
Member
Posts: 315
What I collect: Canada, Great Britain, Germany, World Pre 1925
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Post by sudbury12000 on Nov 23, 2023 1:01:07 GMT
I do use lighter fluid. Soak in my watermark detector bin, the stamps removes easily and then I used a credit card to scrape the glue off. Works well. Lighter fluid is mildly dangerous, best not inhale.
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Post by nick2302 on Nov 23, 2023 1:29:26 GMT
That is amazing. Stamp Lift does not do that great of a job. The stamps are still sticky no matter how long I let them soak in the solution. I vaguely remember trying the orange citrus but for some reason I didn't like the results or something. I know for sure I didn't get results like tomiseksj did. I have 4 bottles of Stamp Lift, so I am stuck with them for a while. Where is that citrus sold? I would like to buy one bottle or whatever of it and see if I can get results that are not sticky, and the stamp is not ruined.
Nick
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Nov 23, 2023 1:44:43 GMT
Nick ( nick2302 ), I believe that StampLift is intended to remove stamps with water activated gum from backing paper, not the self-adhesives. Here is a description of the product (the highlighting is mine). Pure Citrus can be found in many of the U.S. big box retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc.). You can also find it on Amazon. |
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darkormex
Member
Swinging through Switzerland and getting tied up in Thailand
Posts: 2,145
What I collect: The World...just printing and mounting as I go...call me crazy!
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Post by darkormex on Nov 23, 2023 2:41:30 GMT
I have used pure citrus for years now and have similar results to Steve. It just takes a bit of practice. While my wife complains about the smell of oranges (something I simply don't understand because there are many worse things to smell...we make kimchi in our home for pete's sake!), I don't have to worry about inhaling harmful fumes or developing mutant, cancerous warts.
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Post by nick2302 on Nov 23, 2023 14:12:20 GMT
Whoever wrote that usage note about StampLift clearly never tried it on the newer US postage. No matter how long you soak the backing or put the whole item in the fluid those stamps IF and I do mean IF, they come off when they dry are as sticky as ever. So I have 4 bottles of StampLift but next time I am at Home Depot I am going to get a bottle or can of Pure Citrus and see if I have any better luck.
Thanks for the info. I sure appreciate it.
Nick
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