Cigar Box Guitar - How to remove unwanted labels from your cigar box.

How to remove unwanted labels from your cigar box, when building a cigar box guitar.
This method works about 99% of the time. That's pretty good.
Michael Bianconi
www.southernfireguitars.com/
/ southernfireguitars

[@lordrumblegut8982]

5 years later and still finding people (me) to help out with this. Thank you! Also found I could remove the remnants of labels I tried to remove and failed before this trick that were in various states of torn asunder sorrow. By placing a piece of paper over them instead of paper towel (which would stick to it), then removing the paper and pressing clear carton sealing tape to the remnants to pull them up. Made for a quick and easy job. Thanks for the tip and inspiration.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks. M~

[@user-hi3hk5dh2g]

I've been debating on repurposing a cigar box, but wasn't sure how to handle it. This is so helpful ! Thank you so much.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, thank you. M~

[@tumbleweed4213]

Thank you Michael, Another great tip. Now I finally have a use for our clothes Iron (Lol)...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Tumbleweed. That's great, its funner removing labels than it is ironing clothes lol. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@esoterika7774]

Great job getting me hyped up in the beginning. Straightforward video. Just what I was looking for. Thank you, sir.

[@bvintage316]

Thanks for the tutorial! Never would have thought to do that, can’t wait to try it! 😊💕

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@lmhemphill]

I just came home from the supermarket and passed the cigar store - they had 4 beautiful cigar boxes in the window and I brought them home - and now I can remove those unwanted labels! Thanks very much.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome. Thanks for checking out the video. M~

[@laurencoulson129]

Genius! Thank you for sharing. I have quite a collection of cigar boxes and have always wondered how to take them off without messing them up. I'm about to try this out right now! Yay!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Lauren. Thanks for watching. M~

[@letter1967]

Dude!!!! Your my savior .... I've been making displays for a cbd convention using cigar boxes. It's been kicking my butt. Thank You soooo much.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, letter. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@eketelon]

Exactly what I needed to see. Extra thumbs up for the iron that brought back many memories for me.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out. I think that iron is as old as me lol

[@jeffrawdon]

That worked like a charm. Just had a little bit of residue left after I tried this, and was able to remove it easily with some 91% isopropyl alcohol. Thanks for the tip!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, jeff. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@marklineberger5382]

Thanks for sharing this, I used to build RC airplanes and have a small iron used for shrinking the covering on the planes. It's about 1-1/2" wide by 4" long and does a wonderful job of softening the adhesive. Almost no residue.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for the info Mark M~

[@antoriamemphis]

Thanks for the advice! I’m needing to take labels off so I can use a cigar box to present a wedding gift to my future brother in law.

[@caroleconlan3884]

I use a flat single edged razor blade to remove all unwanted labels. Then I use very sparingly a liquid adhesive remover with a cotton ball. No sticky residue left and no damage to box or decorative designs on box.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for the tip. M~

[@johnaustin1825]

Tried it - works perfectly!!

[@jackmorgan1052]

The information here is always good here.

[@davidozab2753]

Picked up some boxes today. Got a few labels to remove. Thanks for the tip!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Cool, this idea works great most of the time, depending on your box and the type label. M~

[@miltonallen9295]

Thank you so much! I repurpose cigar boxes for Crafts and this will help me tremendously.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, thanks for watching. M~

[@marcmayou1422]

Thanks That worked good. I have used heat gun on vehicles to remove decals but I do not think a heat gun would work as good as that did.

[@lano2651]

Love it. I always wanted a way to remove labels. I love cigar boxes. Thanks

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thank for for checking out the video. M~

[@Tom_Klein]

Great tip Mike! Thanks for posting!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@sixstring001]

That’s awesome man, I needed that. I thought about a heat gun.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks sixstring001. M~

[@susanhester1891]

Perfect solution - thank you!

[@Robert-zb5ep]

FANTASTICALLY HELPFUL!!!!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Robert. M~

[@joncodyrobertson3102]

Thanks so much!! This was a big help!

[@anitareece8029]

Big hearts to you ! You just made my task sooo much easier!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out M~

[@muttlesslove1647]

GENIUS!!! Thank you and Happy New Year.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Muttless. Have a Happy and Blessed New Year. M~

[@DegenTrader69]

I didn't even know I needed this video . 👍👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks ohm, This method comes in handy. M~

[@denisew3917]

Thank you so much 👏👏. Can’t wait to start ironing those nasty labels tomorrow.

[@theimperfectcrafterny]

Thank you! Gonna try it now

[@pedromusic4209]

That’s really a great tip🙏 thank you very much for posting that. Two thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Pedro. Thanks for checking it out.

[@cindydiller8878]

Works perfectly!!

[@evelynj.amponsah8417]

Thanks for the tip. I was getting ready to soap it down then scrape it off, but I knew I would mess up the box.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome. I hope it worked. M~

[@peterhaynes8258]

A very,very talented Gent! Is there anything Michael cant do? I doubt it.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Peter. M~

[@johnbarleycorn7845]

Cheers from Lincolnshire UK, 4 boxes now without stickers 👍🏻

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out, John. M~

[@SeeJsJourney]

Awesome tip!

[@debbiereynolds4698]

THANKS!!!! I need this today!!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@rodjones117]

Great tip - very helpful. Thanks a lot.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Rod. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@apajohn2]

Thank you this helps in a number of ways 😅

[@bryanlance8090]

Great video Michael. Something that I do to age bolts like those is take my mapp gas torch and heat them up to burn off the finish and apply boiled linseed oil on the bolts while still hot and it will bake the oil into the steel. You could do the same to the strike plates and other metal items. There may be some videos out there that you could look at. I do it to antique tools. Give it a try. I believe that you would be pleased with the outcome. God bless you brother

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Bryan. Good info, I'll have to try that. M~

[@user-zy4fx7vg4r]

Thanks Mike!!!

[@sraa1952]

Nicely done.....👍👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks you, and thanks for watching. M~

[@LilMissMint]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@userfixit]

Spot On solution
As usual GREAT

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Uerfixit, I appreciate that. M~

[@timsullivan9767]

Awesome. I was just thinking about how to do that earlier today.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out, Tim. M~

[@ritchiebarber]

Yeah great tip, thanks for sharing. It worked for me.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Bareroo. M~

[@pjsalameh9696]

Thank you!

[@shirleybender]

Wow!!! Thank you sir ☺️

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@ranman58635]

Wish I saw this 2 days ago. Lol now I need an image to transfer. The box is still beautiful.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for the comment. I hate when that happens lol M~

[@johnaustin1825]

Brilliant

[@kittychronister3537]

That’s a neat trick!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Kitty. M~

[@marcwheeler4406]

Great idea I have a hand held streamer would that work also??? Or do you think it could warp the other parts of the box???

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey Marc, not sure on the steamer, never tried it. M~

[@RussMcClay]

Thank you very much!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out, Russ

[@sixoffive]

2:09 Your messing with my head, I saw you take off that surgeon general warning label first. Now it’s back.
No steam just heat, never occurred to me 👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I was removing labels for 2 different boxes lol

[@thecbglady]

Have you tried using a hairdryer? I use hairdryers to remove grip tape from skateboard decks.

[@Shaqsonville]

You absolute wizard

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

well, I wouldn't go that far, lol but thanks a lot.

[@neiceythemakeupfairy8799]

THANK YOU!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you. M~

[@ginabenson7748]

Thanks so much!💕

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Gina. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@GaGrits]

Wish I’d seen this earlier! Excellent tip!!! Thank you!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, thanks for checking it out. M~

[@qbvideography2898]

Any tips for eemoving the decorative stickers from around the edges of the box? Or for lables stuck with stronger glues?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

That's the only method I use, works most of the time, but there are some labels that have been on way too long, like a vintage box or the glue just wont melt.

[@jeffwarner4225]

I love the iron trick very smart! Heat gun burns the surface!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey, thanks, Yea I've burned a few box lids with the heat gun before :)

[@jeffwarner4225]

@@SouthernFireGuitars I do sticker removal on boats, and I plan on trying you iron idea. On boats I can use heat guns, rubber wheels, or even my buffing pad and buff the stickers off, but that iron might still be a better way.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@jeffwarner4225 Nice, I hope it works for you.

[@mizpfit8951]

Thanks!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, MizPfit. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@brucejohnsonmusic2]

THANKS! Just what i needed to remove and transfer an "It's A Girl" label to another cigar box!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, bruce. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@ronmiller7916]

Great, but if it leaves a sticky glue residue behind, what do you do? The label might have been over wood or over other labels you want to keep?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey Ron, Thanks. What I do, if there's a little sticky glue left, I BARLEY dampen a cloth with mineral spirits and lightly dab the area.

[@bearboxguitars4367]

Genius again

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Bear. M~

[@carrieellis3750]

Thanks for the great idea. I am trying to remove all labels and take the box down to wood. Any ideas on easy way to remove labels down to bare wood? Please help. Thank you!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Carrie. Thanks for the comment. To go down to bare wood, I use an orbital sander. 220 grit.

[@malindascreativecorner6388]

Whaat....thats amazing 😳

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Malinda. M~

[@dorothywillis5989]

Would you use same method for the green label?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

yes I would, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. :)

[@marklineberger5382]

I have had good results with a heat gun also, does your technique leave any residue?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

You do have to wipe off the left over glue, with mineral spirits. M~

[@michaelheese6344]

Does your wife know you have her iron 😂. Thanks for sharing, love your videos

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

She does NOW. lol M~

[@shirleybender]

😘 Thank you!!!!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@hisalone7166]

Genius!!!!!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks. I appreciate that. M~

[@emiliaatanassova6648]

❤

[@lsk949]

Are you using a dry iron or steam?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Its just a dry iron. M~

[@mikeledee8786]

When I remove the labels especially from the boxes that have large ones in the middle front and inside lid they leave a glue residue any suggestions?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

rag and some mineral spirits :)

[@mikeledee8786]

@@SouthernFireGuitars thanks

[@elenamaria8063]

that's cool! will this method work to remove all the labels? Thanks!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Elena, It works on about 99% of them.

[@elenamaria8063]

@@SouthernFireGuitars ok thanks a lot! :)

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@elenamaria8063 Your welcome.

[@Gemini92Co]

Does the paper towel have to be wet?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I used it dry.

[@sassy148]

Thank you I was peeling them off with no success.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, thank you for checking it out. M~

[@JasonPlouff]

it kind of looks like you had to edit the last part again, switch out the cigar box where bar label wouldn't come off... removing the first label, there was no jump cut or edit.... then the next part is so long it had to be edited? sure it will take longer maybe it's a different type of sticker..... but how come the box that you just removed the first sticker from, had the sticker back on it after you removed the bar code? Lol 😂 thank you for the video I learned something and appreciate it .

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks. Good eye, lol Yes I had to use two boxes. M~

[@stephenbarr5649]

Great Idea! Now where did my wife hide the iron!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

It's in the laundry room next to the broom. 😀

[@boucheman414]

You sound a lot like Ron Swanson lol - Thanks though, worked like a charm

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, I guess lol M~