What is the best way to remove old floppy labels?

[cj7hawk]

So, getting new floppies is possible, but expensive, meanwhile I see quite a few used ones pop up, many of which testing suggests are of reasonable quality still, and will work in drives when reformatted.

The problem is old labels... I hate using old labels, even when they are blank. What is the solution to getting them off?

Lately I've tried WD40, simply peeling the ones that come off easy, scratching off labels with fingernails, cutting with a plastic razor ( poor outcomes ), cutting with a scraper (very poor outcomes) and using isopropyl ( good for removing glue, but not labels ).

Surely there must be an optimal way people have discovered.... What is the best way to remove old labels from floppy disks safely and surely?

 

[konc]

Use a product created specifically for this purpose: search for a "label remover". There are way too many, I've tried randomly 2 cans/brands available in my country and they did the job beautifully. It's basically a liquid that dissolves the glue and while the label is still wet and soft you can take it off easily

 

[Bruce Tomlin]

Try Goo Gone, that's what I use to clean up sticky labels. But if the stickum has already dried out, you are going to have trouble no matter what.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Mineral spirits ("Paint thinner") or light kerosene/paraffin oil wiped onto labels and let stand for a couple of hours seems to work. Also Bestine (Heptane) will do the job without affecting the plastic. Scuff the surface of the label with some sandpaper if it has a shiny finish. Scraping wtih a putty knife may be required for the really tough ones.