Soaking and sealing a Pike Lily White Washita

[relli1130]

I want to seal this label. But I also want to soak to remove the old oil.

I was thinking if sealing with CA glue or a concrete sealer that I’ve read works well.

I don’t want to seal all sides though, just the label. I want to soak the stone in Simple green as well.

How would you approach this? How would you recommend i seal the label safely while still allowing simple green solution to penetrate into the stone, but no ruin the label.

 

[kcb5150]

The label will disintegrate, I can almost guarantee it. I have tried a lot of approaches on old pike label fragments and nothing works. That's why a lot like that become shelf/case queens.. It doesn't look too bad so I would just lap it and seal the labels if you wish to prevent superficial transfer

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

I have had good luck removing smaller Ark labels by soaking in warm water and gently removing the labels with a sharp single edge razor blade.

Then cleaning/soaking the stone for as long as it takes to get clean. Dry the stone and reglue the labels and seal over. I use water base craft varnish.

I would put that one on a shelf, but I have a few Arks.

BTW Dawn Degreaser works better/faster than Simple Green but is harsh smelling. Works well 50% in a sealed glass pasta jar. It can be hard to find, my local Lowes stocks it but not with the cleaning products, I think it is in the paint department, ask. Online says Sam’s now stocks it, but I have never seen it in the store. $15 a gallon.

 

[eKretz]

I have had good luck steaming some of the more difficult labels to remove them.

 

[cotedupy]

^ What other's said ^

Either don't bother soaking it, because the stone looks pretty good already. Or steam/soak the labels off, degrease it, and seal them back on.

Though if you're using it - I'd just steam them off and keep them (rather than faffing around with resealing).

 

[relli1130]

It cleaned up pretty nicely. I sealed in CA glue.

 

[2bit_collie]

Hi @relli1130 Did you seal with CA before soaking? Or take them off and put them back after cleaning? What did you use for cleaning. I have a similar situation, but just a paper label on the side of a No. 1.