Help with a gold box

[Fullmetaljacket]

I have a 1953 vintage K-22 in original gold box, there is an old price sticker pasted on one corner. Judging from the price on the sticker it was placed there decades ago. I would like to remove the old sticker without damaging the original box in the process. Anyone have an idea how to do that? Steam? Solvent of some kind? If it's too risky I'll live with it but sure would like it to be gone.

 

[Hondo44]

Yes steam is your best bet. After the paper sticker comes off, remove any residual gumminess with Goo Gone.

 

[s&wchad]

I'd first try putting the box top in the freezer for a few hours. It may pop right off.

If that doesn't work, use a heat lamp and gently start at a corner. Give up if you see any of the box surface coming up with the label.

.

 

[gmborkovic]

Freezer trick all ways worked. Just be patient. I just put the box in a brown bag.

 

[Walter Rego]

I usually just squirt some good old Ronson lighter fluid on it, let it dwell for a minute and then gently try and get one corner lifted with a fingernail. Then squirt a little more lighter fluid under the sticker as you gently and slowly peel it back.

The fluid will evaporate and not leave a stain nor a stench. You may however see where the sticker once was if the box has faded since the sticker was applied.

 

[glowe]

Try freezing, but is does not work on all adhesives. Steam is not your friend for a paper covered box made of pasteboard. Steam will likely water stain the interior of the box as well. There is a chance that you will delaminate the gold paper cover before the sticker comes off. There is simply not a good way to remove the sticker without any risks.

Solvents will work sometimes, but I would not use them on gold boxes. Those boxes are made cheaply and the gold will rub off with the slightest pressure plus the blue ink will also dissolve.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Try freezing, but is does not work on all adhesives. Steam is not your friend for a paper covered box made of pasteboard. Steam will likely water stain the interior of the box as well. There is a chance that you will delaminate the gold paper cover before the sticker comes off. There is simply not a good way to remove the sticker without any risks.

Solvents will work sometimes, but I would not use them on gold boxes. Those boxes are made cheaply and the gold will rub off with the slightest pressure plus the blue ink will also dissolve.

Yep, that's what I'm worried about. We're talking about 70 year old gold colored cardboard. I don't think S&W invested much into making the boxes last much beyond the first sale out of the gun shop. I'll try freezing it and see what happens, beyond that I may just have to live with it.

 

[cgn71]

I second the lighter fluid trick, works great and totally evaporates with no damage to box or discoloration.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I've repaired and cleaned a few cardboard revolver boxes over the years, both S&W and Colt. Mostly cosmetic repairs (gluing and re-squaring box corners, removing oil stains inside the box with cornstarch powder, gluing worn paper edges, etc.), and removing old Scotch tape. The lighter fluid does work great on removing tape and residue. The only time I will use steam on a cardboard box is to reshape the top/bottom/sides if they are bent or bowed- lightly apply steam through a cloth, then apply flat pressure, and allow to cool. I don't paint (touch up) worn areas of the box, I prefer the box to look its age- but it's been repaired structurally. After repairs/cleaning, I always apply a couple of coats of Renaissance Wax to the exterior of the box. Here's one similar to yours that was repaired. Good luck!

 

[Truckman]

I always apply a couple of coats of Renaissance Wax to the exterior of the box. Here's one similar to yours that was repaired. Good luck!

Impressive!...And a use for RenWax I had not thought of......Ben

 

[larryofcc]

Well, outvoted here, but I am for leaving it alone. It is part of that revolvers history.
I love the smell of Ren Wax in the morning. Great stuff. Big Larry

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

"Honey, what have you been doing down in the basement all morning?" "Nothing, just steaming and waxing some old cardboard boxes."
She doesn't even bother to roll her eyes anymore.