Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Breen on July 12, 2013 at 2:03pm

Nine:

As far as the labels "Smoking Kills" just use a heat gun or a hair dryer warm the label and slowly very slowly they will peel off then I use lighter fluid to remove the sticky residue. On the paper covered boxes that are in good shape I spray them with a few coats of clear gloss Rust-oleum painters touch ultra cover its about $7.00 a can at Canadian tire or probably any hardware paint store

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mr.melo on July 12, 2013 at 2:32pm

goo gone... wrks.....:)just apply on the stickers..a little and will wrk:)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 12, 2013 at 5:00pm

I use olive oil to both stain and polish the wood bits. Rub in, steel wool, rub in some more, repeat until glossy. Goo Gone will get the stickers off, or a blow dryer on hot. Any clear gloss polyurethane can spray will do to protect the paper; just be sure to do repeated light coats, as heavy spray will soak it and may cause bubbling. Brush on varnish, lacquer, or marine spar varnish will work, too. As will a butt-load of Super Glue...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Groucho on July 14, 2013 at 6:28pm

I've coated boxes with oil based Minwax polyurethane and it didn't damage the paper.  I went around the box and found any unstuck corners, etc. and glued them back down before applying the clear coat.  I just wish it went on thicker. I put on about 3 coats.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on July 14, 2013 at 6:48pm

I prefer clear spray lacquer. It dries fast and several light coats seem to give a nice finish. Protects the paper labels and brings out the color and grain in the wood. If you don't want a high gloss finish, you can buff the gloss away with fine steel wool. Haven't had any problems removing any labels as so far the boxes I've built have been old enough not to have any, of if they did they were bare wood boxes and the labels pulled off easily.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shawn Doyle on July 14, 2013 at 7:20pm

Slightly OT question that is not really deserving of it's own thread:

Can you paint over the paper without any real problems?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on July 15, 2013 at 2:28am

Haven't tried painting over the paper, but as most of the paper labels are embossed and the tapes tent to have edges that aren't always stuck down well, I would think that all the imperfections would show through.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shawn Doyle on July 15, 2013 at 12:12pm

My mother suggested sealing the paper before painting it.  

So, maybe that would help with that?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nine Tails on July 15, 2013 at 12:10pm

Cheers guys! Nearly kitted to go.... :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Skeesix on July 16, 2013 at 8:09am

I brush on a couple coats of Zinnser Sealcoat shellac right over the paper, wood, etc. It has a nice semigloss finish.

The other advantage is that shellac is much more non toxic than other types of finishes. I don't need to go outside to use it. Zinnser also makes a spray can version of their regular shellac (I would, however, use any kind of spray anything outside).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on July 16, 2013 at 11:15pm

Deft spray lacquer, been using it forever. Dries fast, hard finish. Great for protecting from the elements. I use it on everything I create!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Order99 on July 24, 2013 at 4:41pm

  My two favorite combinations right now are Danish Oil-with stain included in the oil or without-and Deft spay shellac.

 If it's a wooden both i'll polish all surfaces inside and out for looks and protection, let dry and finish with the shellac. If it's a paper covered wooden box i'll coat the insides with oil to protect it from weathering/drying out over the years, then spray the outside. If I use a masonite or plastic box (if it passes my 'sound check' i'll ose it) then Shellac inside and out to seal it up. If i'm using a metal tin, i'll gently clean any corrosion, leave any originak paint intact and use several ultra-thin coats of Rustoleum Clear-coat.

• ▶ Reply