Is there any way to remove a sticker from the back of OA without damaging it

TMNTChris1980 · 06-26-2018, 08:43 PM

I have a piece of OA from issue 5 that's from Kevin Eastman. Unfortunately there's a cheap sticker on the back of it. I'm worried that over time that the adhesive will end up bleeding through to the original art.

Does anyone have a Kevin piece with a sticker on the back, and have you tried removing it?

*MrPliggins* · 06-26-2018, 10:02 PM

I also have two pieces with this sticker. I actually forgot they were there until you just mentioned it.

This is what you are referring to, correct?

My first suggestion is to use a hair dryer. The stickers were applied in 2014 (at least mine were) which isn't long ago, so they should peel off somewhat easily with heat.

I'd be weary to attempt this second suggestion on expensive art, but I've found it's a very effective way to remove price stickers. I've used lighter fluid. Just apply a few drops to the sticker... the lighter fluid breaks up the "stickiness" of the sticker, and with luck it will peel right off. The lighter fluid evaporates completely after finishing, as if it were never there. I used this method to remove price tags from my Dark Horse Miniatures packaging, which were probably sticking on for over 30 years.

Good luck!

TMNTChris1980 · 06-27-2018, 10:35 AM

Wow, yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking!

The art is pretty expensive, so I'm nervous about putting a hair dryer to it, or lighter fluid. When I get it framed, I'm going to see if they can do something to remove it without damaging it. I'm nervous that in about 10 years the adhesive residue is goint to bleed through tio the art.

*Redrumh2o* · 06-27-2018, 12:21 PM

Oh god.....this makes me nervous and its not even mine!! Lol....gl and keep us updated! Have you tried with just your nail?

TMNTChris1980 · 06-27-2018, 03:40 PM

Yeah, I'm not going to try and remove it myself. When I get it framed, I'm going to talk with the restoration people there and get their thoughts.

The page means too much to me to have anything happen to it.

*MrPliggins* · 06-27-2018, 04:55 PM

Good idea. Maybe they have some experience with this kind of thing at the frame shop. I feel the same way, too nervous to mess with either of my stickers. Please let us know if you find out any useful info!

*tmntman* · 06-27-2018, 05:04 PM

I would suggest shooting an email to Eastman and inquiring about the stickers and their potential long term risk first. If he is putting these on all of his artwork, I suspect that he had checked to make sure that they won't damage the work long term. If that is the case, you are probably better off leaving them in place. That's especially true if not having them would cause someone to doubt the authenticity of the artwork in the future since it is missing the stickers which Eastman is known to include on all of his art.

TMNTChris1980 · 06-27-2018, 07:32 PM

I'm not too worried about people not trusting the authenticity, I had it signed by E&L, and it's on duo shade, and is perfect.

Good call on contacting Eastman though, I may try and reach out to him.

06-26-2018, 08:43 PM	#1
TMNTChris1980 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 603	Is there any way to remove a sticker from the back of OA without damaging it I have a piece of OA from issue 5 that's from Kevin Eastman. Unfortunately there's a cheap sticker on the back of it. I'm worried that over time that the adhesive will end up bleeding through to the original art. Does anyone have a Kevin piece with a sticker on the back, and have you tried removing it?

06-27-2018, 12:21 PM	#4
Redrumh2o Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,903	Oh god.....this makes me nervous and its not even mine!! Lol....gl and keep us updated! Have you tried with just your nail? __________________ My Collection Thread - Original Art, Toys, Comics, Sketches!!

06-27-2018, 05:04 PM	#7
tmntman Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,444	I would suggest shooting an email to Eastman and inquiring about the stickers and their potential long term risk first. If he is putting these on all of his artwork, I suspect that he had checked to make sure that they won't damage the work long term. If that is the case, you are probably better off leaving them in place. That's especially true if not having them would cause someone to doubt the authenticity of the artwork in the future since it is missing the stickers which Eastman is known to include on all of his art. __________________ Check out my site at http://www.tmnttoys.com/ or follow me on Twitter, @TMNTtoys

06-26-2018, 10:02 PM	#2
MrPliggins Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,006	I also have two pieces with this sticker. I actually forgot they were there until you just mentioned it. This is what you are referring to, correct? My first suggestion is to use a hair dryer. The stickers were applied in 2014 (at least mine were) which isn't long ago, so they should peel off somewhat easily with heat. I'd be weary to attempt this second suggestion on expensive art, but I've found it's a very effective way to remove price stickers. I've used lighter fluid. Just apply a few drops to the sticker... the lighter fluid breaks up the "stickiness" of the sticker, and with luck it will peel right off. The lighter fluid evaporates completely after finishing, as if it were never there. I used this method to remove price tags from my Dark Horse Miniatures packaging, which were probably sticking on for over 30 years. Good luck!

06-27-2018, 10:35 AM	#3
TMNTChris1980 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 603	Wow, yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking! The art is pretty expensive, so I'm nervous about putting a hair dryer to it, or lighter fluid. When I get it framed, I'm going to see if they can do something to remove it without damaging it. I'm nervous that in about 10 years the adhesive residue is goint to bleed through tio the art.

06-27-2018, 03:40 PM	#5
TMNTChris1980 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 603	Yeah, I'm not going to try and remove it myself. When I get it framed, I'm going to talk with the restoration people there and get their thoughts. The page means too much to me to have anything happen to it.

06-27-2018, 04:55 PM	#6
MrPliggins Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,006	Good idea. Maybe they have some experience with this kind of thing at the frame shop. I feel the same way, too nervous to mess with either of my stickers. Please let us know if you find out any useful info!

06-27-2018, 07:32 PM	#8
TMNTChris1980 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 603	I'm not too worried about people not trusting the authenticity, I had it signed by E&L, and it's on duo shade, and is perfect. Good call on contacting Eastman though, I may try and reach out to him.