Peeling sticker fix

[eightbit]

Hi all,

I have been collecting Star Wars sets since the beginning (1999) and have noticed in recent years that some sets (newer ones mostly) have stickers that annoyingly peel up....sometimes a day or two after building the set and applying those stickers. Recently I have come across this phenomena with stickers from the 2012 Hoth Wampa set and 2012 Hoth Echo Base. When they peel up I can remove them easily and I can still feel that they are pretty sticky. The problem is what they are adhering to. The stickers attached to bricks with texture simply do not stay there. If it is a flat tile piece it is ok, but a textured piece does not seem to like to keep these.

I have used a fix for this and other sticker issues in the past, and it does not damage the plastic in any way and can be removed if need be. But it will hold the sticker on there pretty much indefinitely. Enter Elmers Washable School Glue Stick. I have used this for anything from reapplying video game cartridge labels, fixing record covers, stickers, and a ton of other applications. When your sticker peels, gently remove it, clean the brick with 91% isopropyl alcohol (to remove any debris), and apply a fine layer of the glue stick to the adhesive side of the sticker. It will make that sticker much more stickier. Re-apply to the brick and let it dry. That sticker will not come off...unless of course you rip it off and destroy it. You can do that by the way and again clean the brick with the alcohol. The glue will not damage the plastic as it is intended to be washable and removable if need be.

My stickers never come off now. If you take your time (just use a fine layer on the adhesive side of the sticker, don't glob it on and do not get any on the picture side of the sticker obviously...but the temporary purple color helps you!) they will never look like a glue stick were ever applied to them and you can end the peeling madness. This glue helps fill the microscopic gaps that are in the textured pieces and keep the sticker connected. I hope this information helps others.

Edited March 12, 2015 by eightbit

[Aus_Robert]

That's amazing that modern stickers lift so quickly. I've got stickers on bricks from the 1970s that aren't even looking like lifting.

[sparkart]

Cool, thanks for the tip. As a kid, I never applied stickers to anything, knowing that with play, they'd start to peel. Even today, i rarely apply stickers, and when I do, I use tweezers. I will definitely use the info here, thanks for sharing it.

[eightbit]

No problem! I am happy to help. I too have some really old sets in which the stickers are just fine. Seems lately the glue got a little cheaper :( The problem with the Star Wars sets (well, many of them) are that the stickers really make the set. In the case of the Hoth Echo Base they are the control center's computers stickers. Just wouldn't look right without those stickers there :)

Edited March 12, 2015 by eightbit

[AmperZand]

Elmer's Washable School Glue is quite alkaline; it has a pH of 10.9. I wonder if its alkalinity might affect the sticker over time.

[dr_spock]

I've used glue stick for home made "sticker" many years ago. I had problems with missing spots with the glue stick on large ones. The color glue stick is a good idea.

[paul_delahaye]

Stickers are the most annoying thing ever,

The models often need them now days to look finished, but the are such poor quality, the cost difference between 1980's stickers which are still stuck to all my bricks, and current day stickers must be minimal, but the old stickers can easily still be warmed up and removed or repositioned, LEGO should so go back to these.

but on the other hand, they have also proved they can print onto almost anything now, even trans clear glass in the detective agency, so anything is possible, they should do this for more expensive collector sets.

[eightbit]

Elmer's Washable School Glue is quite alkaline; it has a pH of 10.9. I wonder if its alkalinity might affect the sticker over time.

Well, I have used this same stick for about 11 years and it has never altered a single sticker. I would say it is safe :)

Edited March 15, 2015 by eightbit

[StreaMRoLLeR]

Sorry for extremely bad necro post but I have to do this.

My Lego 5956 stickers ( transparent ) are in mid-shape. I need to fix them. I have my isop prol alcohol ready but there is no elmers glue in my country. Does Pritt stick glue ( %97 water based solvent ) can be used for AREA for Air Zeppelin ( %100 plastic surface )

 

[Autumn]

1 hour ago, StreaMRoLLeR said:

Sorry for extremely bad necro post but I have to do this.

My Lego 5956 stickers ( transparent ) are in mid-shape. I need to fix them. I have my isop prol alcohol ready but there is no elmers glue in my country. Does Pritt stick glue ( %97 water based solvent ) can be used for AREA for Air Zeppelin ( %100 plastic surface )

 

You can buy unofficial replacement stickers:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293575040436

or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276323372881?itmmeta=01J4AD6NXNRS52V4J9P0RGD1EF&hash=item4056280f51:g:s~YAAOSwnAZlw0UG&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4NJLwd14Vp0xrHc2Y5HLt%2FUliXllCqAVgKlHbsaerEdZDNxTqH3WZnEvq9xaaBGw0oeG7dSHKGFiaUHTAYBapjJtDrFNuF2I5cHB0IlXt4nIqm8%2Fss2ZqXkiQRJtG8k1B7fwQjTEPFPQwPY4XKE2cgQLP75Nph%2BlyZxCG0hJoBx77Zru3vBLTn1ySajVQCo3oFC0h3YaLsVmLu2OEDCwCX5r9NXP2CoiJF0XcgXFubaVZ96pzhrQCVvnPVFG6j57kiw%2FgX%2BREBXFX0n3772FEdKj9%2FwieHQ%2BvgiYH3c0UwGM|tkp%3ABk9SR_Tems2iZA&edge=1

Edited August 2 by Autumn

[Peppermint_M]

If you want to get your original stickers to stay, a thin coat of PVA glue should do it, it is water washable and you can use it to stick the sticker from underneath, or use a small layer to clear coat the sticker in place.

[MAB]

17 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

If you want to get your original stickers to stay, a thin coat of PVA glue should do it, it is water washable and you can use it to stick the sticker from underneath, or use a small layer to clear coat the sticker in place.

I second this. In fact I now do an extra step. If the stickers have come off, give the underside of the stickers a coat of diluted PCA and let it dry. Then do the top side and let it dry. Then do the underside again, give it a couple of minutes, then apply. I find that seals the underside so even if you miss an small area when sticking it, it is still sealed.

I also clean up once applied while still wet, as if you peel dry PVA overspill you can lift the stickers again.

[StreaMRoLLeR]

5 hours ago, MAB said:

I second this. In fact I now do an extra step. If the stickers have come off, give the underside of the stickers a coat of diluted PCA and let it dry. Then do the top side and let it dry. Then do the underside again, give it a couple of minutes, then apply. I find that seals the underside so even if you miss an small area when sticking it, it is still sealed.

I also clean up once applied while still wet, as if you peel dry PVA overspill you can lift the stickers again.

 

23 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

If you want to get your original stickers to stay, a thin coat of PVA glue should do it, it is water washable and you can use it to stick the sticker from underneath, or use a small layer to clear coat the sticker in place.

Thanks for answers but I am quite sure that i didnt understand anything you guys saying 

From the search in my local stores ( big ones too ) I only found white PVA glue. ( not clear pva glue ) The transpalent stickers of 5956 are fragile. Already 25 years old. I dont want to damage zeppelin plastic itself. So my question ; if pritt stick glue would be sufficent ? I guess not due to uneven surface.

What about those SPRAY ADHESIVE's 

I read about the method for peeling stickers off, remove its old sticky material with isop- alcohol and spray it with adhesive.

The bricksticker shop from ebay dont ship to Turkey and from its site, it costs like 25usd for shipping only. 

[MAB]

23 hours ago, StreaMRoLLeR said:

 

Thanks for answers but I am quite sure that i didnt understand anything you guys saying 

From the search in my local stores ( big ones too ) I only found white PVA glue. ( not clear pva glue ) The transpalent stickers of 5956 are fragile. Already 25 years old. I dont want to damage zeppelin plastic itself. So my question ; if pritt stick glue would be sufficent ? I guess not due to uneven surface.

What about those SPRAY ADHESIVE's 

I read about the method for peeling stickers off, remove its old sticky material with isop- alcohol and spray it with adhesive.

The bricksticker shop from ebay dont ship to Turkey and from its site, it costs like 25usd for shipping only. 

White PVA is clear once dry. You could test it on a piece of clear plastic food wrap, sticking it an old brick if you want to be sure. 

[Peppermint_M]

It is also non reactive to plastic, as a general rule. I have had a few old peeling stickers I glued back with PVA for a number of years without any issues (I do keep them out of direct sunlight). 

You only need a very small amount to make it stick, and not much more to clear- coat. It dries clear and can be peeled off if there is excess.