Yellow sticker? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 02:28:19 pm
content: Hello,I have just received a 3478A multimeter I snatched on eBay. On top of the case there is a curiously looking yellow sticker (see image below). I have been trying to find some information about it on Google, but nothing relevant popped up. Could anyone tell me what these stickers are for and who usually puts them on? Would it be a mortal sin to remove this sticker from the case with rubbing alcohol?Regards,Dave

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 03:15:40 pm
content: Internal company item number probably, or a sticker for a reparation... It's wrote "issue" on it.You should try, but alcol sometimes don't work, you need special product for remove labels.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 03:31:00 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on April 20, 2013, 02:28:19 pmA mortal sin? No. Useless? Yep. Removing those ugly, stupid stickers from used equipment is one of the first things I do. Heat works nicely, as long as you don't use too much.At least it's just a sticker. The assholes at my university took to writing lab station numbers on the front of each oscilloscope in Sharpie. Sure, it comes off easily when fresh, but in ten years when they finally get rid of them, some poor guy is going to get stuck with a giant "14" on his used scope... Hopefully most people aren't as picky as I am.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 04:24:50 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on April 20, 2013, 02:28:19 pmCanadian certification.http://www.csa.ca

author: poodyp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 04:28:03 pm
content: Canadian space agency, which is why the writing is in English and French. Personally I think the labels add character to the equipment, a kind of history to each piece of gear.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 04:36:23 pm
content: Quote from: poodyp on April 20, 2013, 04:28:03 pmCanadian Standards Association. If it were from a space agency I'd probably leave the sticker, though.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 04:38:08 pm
content: Quote from: poodyp on April 20, 2013, 04:28:03 pmIt takes me forever to remove some of the labels of equipment, especially when auction houses use the only flat space on the front which is the screen. History is good, not being able to read the display isn't.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 05:47:49 pm
content: In most cases a can of label off, or some gentle application of WD40 and leaving for a while to soak in, then peel off and clean with a cloth soaked in WD40. works well, just use with care on certain plastics and paint finishes.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 06:00:13 pm
content: CSA is the Canadian equivalent of the USA Underwriters Laboratories. It is a non-profit safety certifying organization. Equipment manufacturers submit gear for testing to get the certification of electrical safety (as in, the user can expect to avoid electrical shock from AC leakage currents, etc.) All in all, a very good sticker to see on the bottom of your gear.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 07:18:20 pm
content: Soapy water for dirty stuff, Goo Gone for the rest.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 08:10:46 pm
content: The best way to remove stickers is to gently heat them with a heat gun. 99.9% of the stickers will come off without tearing or leaving any residu.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 11:50:15 am
content: Nonono guys what are you saying???Heat? NononoBUY A 5$ LABEL REMOVER AND STOP!But, labels from governent association, space agency, big company INCREASE the value of a item.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 12:24:01 pm
content: Most plastics (some are painted) will be affected by the chemicals in label remover... A bit of heat (about 80 to 90 degrees) doesn't do any damage.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 01:11:30 pm
content: You need to remove the glue residues, with hot air you can only remove the label.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 08:00:44 pm
content: The glue comes off with the label when heated properly. It takes some practise but once you master this technique it is the best way.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 08:47:05 pm
content: Alcohol can dissolve the plastic. Not the best choice for the first attempt to remove a label. As said before, WD40 works, but also you can try lighter fluid. There is also a product called "Goo Gone" that some people like. Another one is to use some cooking oil.The CSA sticker on that piece of equipment is a special certification of safety. Leave it on if you wish to resell it in Canada as without it some places will not buy it unless it has this sticker. If you plan on living with this thing forever then remove the ugly thing.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 08:50:31 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 21, 2013, 08:47:05 pmI haveneverseen alcohol dissolve plastic, but lighter fluid...

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 08:56:30 pm
content: It can and I have seen it. It depends on the plastic. it is better to start with the least aggressive solvents and work up in power. Actually the first thing to use would be the cooking oil, then lighter fluid, then alcohol.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 09:05:19 pm
content: Lol, would be funny if someone would tag his kits with yellow label thats says in some rare language: This is here so you can wonder what it says...

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 09:43:27 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on April 21, 2013, 08:50:31 pmI have. On many older pieces of equipment the plastic is painted afterwards. Those kind of paints usually won't stand against alcohol. I've also seen someone whipe the anti-glare coating from a monitor with alcohol. More modern equipment doesn't like agressive solvents found in sticker remover (cases from Tektronix for example).

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 09:51:28 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 21, 2013, 08:56:30 pmLIGHTER FLUID?Have you drink too much solvent dude?Lighter fluid is a damn strong solvent, it's petroleum, it MELT plastic!

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 09:58:33 pm
content: The CSA certification label is required on electrical equipment sold in Canada, and accepted in many other countries. It is a certification of safety, not performance. As such, you might want to leave it on the unit.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 10:12:01 pm
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on April 21, 2013, 09:51:28 pmlighter fluid (in Canada) is usually butane, not quite sure about why the strong reaction. alkanes aren't exactly uncommon solvents.I would think that propan-2-ol would probably be the best choice. Most "rugged"/durable plastics are resistant(ish) to it and I've never found a label or label-adhesive residue that I couldn't remove with it.

author: lemmegraphdat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 10:37:43 pm
content: Try mayonnaise. Works on bumper stickers.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 21, 2013, 11:58:51 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on April 20, 2013, 04:38:08 pmI once got to the point of writing the big auction house we used to get stuff from at work on that exact subject. All their (non-removable) labels were stuck on the screens. They apologized and for a few months did not do that. And then went right back to their silly ways

author: Paul Moir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 02:36:48 am
content: Peanut butter is also shockingly effective. I suspect modern, trans fat free (hydrogenated vegetable oil free), have only made it more so. Wouldn't bother with "natural" stuff that separates.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 03:20:33 am
content: Most drug stores sell adhesive tape remover, first aid section or over the counter. It's to remove the sticky stuff on band aids. Whatever you use test it first.http://www.amazon.com/Dynarex-Adhesive-Tape-Remover-Pad/dp/B000OPZ4WA

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 04:57:08 am
content: Quote from: Fsck on April 21, 2013, 10:12:01 pmNo, it's rafined oil. And incredibly similar to paint solvent. And in fact it melt plastic (cheap crap zippo).Butane is a gas, propane also. How you can use it?

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 05:00:38 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on April 22, 2013, 03:20:33 amOh god, tank to provide someone with some salt in his head instead of hp destroyer and plastic melter.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 05:15:03 am
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on April 21, 2013, 09:51:28 pmOh yeah! Lighter fluid martinis!Actually you might be right about this on plastic. I will have to refresh my memory by trying it on something again. I do use it all the time on painted metals to remove sticker residue. I would not take my "advice" until I check it again.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 05:41:03 am
content: So you're a lucky men! Hp plastic is bulletproof, paint also...

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 07:41:45 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on April 22, 2013, 06:44:47 amTry Youngs 303, the aftershave for real men

author: poodyp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 02:48:14 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on April 20, 2013, 04:36:23 pmAw, that kinda makes me sad then. I do actually have a piece of gear with a Lockheed Martin sticker on it. That made me kinda happy.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2013, 11:28:54 pm
content: Thanks for all the replies.I would have kept the sticker, if it's corners wouldn't be all torn, dirty and crusty - so I removed it. As I first planned, I attacked it with rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol with smelly pink additives). It worked like a charm, the sticker peeled right off. There was no damage to the plastic whatsoever.The meter's front was covered with nasty glue residue, that also came off beautifully with rubbing alcohol.The real pain in the a** was the "calibration void if torn" sticker over the CAL switch on the front. I spent at least 20 minutes slowly chipping the pieces, as the sticker was so fragile, it was impossible to remove otherwise.Alcohol didn't help at all in this case.Anyhow, the meter looks great now, I just need to find it some feet (the unit was probably rack mounted before - the side screw covers are missing as well).I have attached the picture of the area, where the two stickers used to reside. Squeaky clean now.