Chris,
When I've done this in the past, I just wet a wash rag and lay it over it for a while. Usually loosens it up enough for me to peel off or worst case, scrape off...

Mike

I like to use a window razor. Takes the lables right off.
Bob

Chris,

On wine bottles you will run into two different kinds of adhesive under the label. Each one requires a different approach.

One of the adhesives is a dried, hardened glue that can be softened with water, then scraped with a razor blade. On this type I score the label in several directions first before introducing a moist paper towel or sponge, then remove with razor blade.

The other adhesive is a softer glue that can be loosened with a heat gun or WD-40. On these I typically use a razor blade to scrape the labels off. On larger orders I will use heat or WD-40 to keep the ol' hands from blistering and bleeding.

OK, I'm going to do what I do best - show my ignorance. I am assuming from what I've been reading that mostly folks remove the back label, leave the front and engrave or blast on the back. True? Do you ever remove both labels or neither? I know it depends on the customer request, just looking for some general applications so I can put togehter a representative sample set.

Thanks,
Jim

I'm just curious what will be sandblasted on the back?

We just finished 12 bottles with the club name and year blasted just above the front label.

Curious minds NEED to know.

Jo (and ALL),

I'm not sure what actually would go on the back. I ASSUMED that if there was not enuff room on the front, above or below the label, then you'd have to make room on the back. I just did a wedding anniversary bottle with the names, date, a congratulatory message and a graphic, but it took the whole back. For me I think I just assumed that there would be occasions where the front would not offer enough room for the full message.

Jim

Jim,

I prefer to remove both labels so I don't have to waste time protecting them during the etching, paintfill and clean-up process.

Usually, by customer request, the only front labels that get left on are those oo the more expensive brands and vintages. A good majority of customers will provide a cheap bottle of wine, so they typically want to disguise that fact and have both labels removed.

I ask customers to pay special attention to the colors and design of the neck label, because in most cases, it stays. It is that label that will often dictate what the paintfill color(s) will be.

Good info David. Thanks.

BTW, the contractors are taping and mudding the shop walls today. I put 1/2" plywood on the bottom 8' then sheetrock for top two feet and the ceiling. Upstairs is all sheetrock. The rain has finally stopped, hopefully the water will go away soon. They will be returning to their normal jobs now the rain stopped so expect them to be done today or tomorrow. All my equip has been moved and is inaccessible except the laser which still is in my house. I will reinstall the blast cabinet first, then one of the guys is going to come back and help me build a cabinet for the IS400. So I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, very small but visible. Just hope its not a train! I continue to turn business away but did get some mother's day stuff done.

Jim