Restoring a Meccano E box.

[tarquinias]

I have an October 1936 E box that is original and complete apart from the lower stringing card.

The box is in good condition apart from someone applying sticky tape to the lid, both edges and corners. Some of the tape is old and can be very carefully removed.

However, there is a fair amount of newish tape still attached. Would someone kindly step forward with some ideas about how to remove the wretched sticky tape (it is plastic/acetate tape not paper) without damaging the original Meccano red paper?

Cheers Rob.

[coin-corner]

I have pretty good luck removing tape from old boxing using a heat gun or hair dryer.

(20-01-2010 06:05 PM)tarquinias Wrote:  I have an October 1936 E box that is original and complete apart from the lower stringing card.

The box is in good condition apart from someone applying sticky tape to the lid, both edges and corners. Some of the tape is old and can be very carefully removed.

However, there is a fair amount of newish tape still attached. Would someone kindly step forward with some ideas about how to remove the wretched sticky tape (it is plastic/acetate tape not paper) without damaging the original Meccano red paper?

Cheers Rob.

[tarquinias]

Thanks for the reply, but I would not get a heat gun anywhere near the box as I don't want ashes LOL :-(

Hair dryer? I may have a go with one after testing on something other than the E box!

Would prefer to use a chemical means to remove the tape...

Rgds Robin.

[kbisset]

I have had good luck with lighter fluid (as it's called in the US) - the liquid, not butane gas. Our last movers wrapped packing tape around my Meccano boxes! The lighter fluid worked well, but on "new" tape; not sure how it will work on old tape. Please be careful to keep away from flame, and do it in a well ventilated area! I had to apply it with a small brush at the edge, and slowly peel the tape back, applying the fluid at the "V" where the tape is pulling away. Do not pull too hard - I was able to pull the tape off with very nearly no damage to the paper, even where the paper had been damaged before the tape application. Once the fluid evaporates, there seems to be no harm to the paper. You may also need additional applications of the fluid to soften residual glue, and wipe gently with a facial tissue.

[coin-corner]

Goo Gone also works sometimes. I use a combination of Goo Gone, lighter fluid and a heat gun. Sometimes one works, sometime another works. It depends on the kind of tape and how long it's been on there. Good luck!

(24-01-2010 04:08 PM)kbisset Wrote:  I have had good luck with lighter fluid (as it's called in the US) - the liquid, not butane gas. Our last movers wrapped packing tape around my Meccano boxes! The lighter fluid worked well, but on "new" tape; not sure how it will work on old tape. Please be careful to keep away from flame, and do it in a well ventilated area! I had to apply it with a small brush at the edge, and slowly peel the tape back, applying the fluid at the "V" where the tape is pulling away. Do not pull too hard - I was able to pull the tape off with very nearly no damage to the paper, even where the paper had been damaged before the tape application. Once the fluid evaporates, there seems to be no harm to the paper. You may also need additional applications of the fluid to soften residual glue, and wipe gently with a facial tissue.

[tarquinias]

Thanks for the replies and sorry not to get back to you earlier. I have used a combination of all your methods to repair the wretch...

Cheers Robin.