Cleaning paper labels

Tips and Hints on Cleaning Collectable Bottles

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chaunasknight
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Cleaning paper labels

#1

Post by chaunasknight »

Before using this tip, apply common sense. If the label has the appearance of dried parchement, it it too fragile, don't try it! The same with rips and tears, be VERY careful around them, as well as the edges of the label.

That said, the best and simplest cleaner I have found for paper labels is white Wonder bread. (Why do they call it Wonder bread? Because it is a wonder that with using what they claim to be flour they can actually call it bread! Wonder what I mean just ask, I'll hop on a soapbox and tell you) Gently rub the label with bread, often it lifts a lot of the dirt away. The key word here is GENTLY! It's old paper and can tear rather easily, especially where there are alreay small tears.

I have done thiis on alot of bottles, and only once have I damaged one, and I blame my own lack of concentration for that one.


Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
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Daev Larrazolo
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#2

Post by Daev Larrazolo »

I was rubbing this bottle with my finger getting some of the dirt off an part of the label by the B in club came off even more. This is the before pic I will post a after pic tomorrow.
2012-01-19_16-47-45_185.jpg
WANT ANY MONTANA BREWERIANA
chaunasknight
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#3

Post by chaunasknight »

I'd be real careful arounf the tears & thin spots. If it doesn't wind up pretty enough for you wall that is a label I am missing.
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
chaunasknight
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#4

Post by chaunasknight »

getting the whole label wet sounds scary to me. I'd be afraid of causing the light dirt on top to soak into the fibers of the paper. I'll give it a try with some extras I have.
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
ILLINICANS
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#5

Post by ILLINICANS »

I dont think I would do anything with a valuable label without talking to Bob Kay ( label guy ) or a professional restorer of paper items. Think about it...the labels are 100 years old and the fact that paper mites didnt destroy them already is a miracle. Its absurd to think that water, rubbing the oil off your fingers onto the labels or a piece of bread which even though you cant see it now ......I am sure starts some kind of bacterial reaction sooner or later is a good idea. Its your collection to do as you please but not every home remedy that grandma used was the best idea. Think these things out first....the cheapest route is rarely the best.
chaunasknight
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#6

Post by chaunasknight »

I for one really appriciate your tips Scott, and will putting them to use. I'm sure I'll try it on a dozen bottles I don't care about to get a feel for it before venturing on to something I want for my wall, but I will get the hang of it I am sure. Scott BERRY huh? No wonder you're such a wealth of info, you're a Berry!
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
chaunasknight
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Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:44 pm
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Rusty Bunch Member Number: 425
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eBay name: hop_gold
Year Started Collecting: 1984
Location: Woodland WA
Been thanked: 2 times
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Re: Cleaning paper labels

#7

Post by chaunasknight »

oh, are Berry's good? They are some of the best!
Looking for the following Lilek #'s:
Alt Heidelberg 26, 27 Columbia 185 Finer Flavor 270 271 Hop Gold 400 404 Sick's 749 750 Silver Springs 763 Rainier 702A Rheinlander 733 Town Club 790 Ye Old English Ale 398
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