Self Adhesives Removing Gum Failures

For some weeks now I have been taking gum off CTO self adhesives. These stamps are not attached to paper and it is a science in it self.

What I have noticed is small island parts of the gum are not being effected by the water. They are waterproof areas that are not letting the gum to come off the back of the stamp.

The soaking time for this process is 30mins of soaking but 45mins is really nice and up to 1hr 30mins and I have had no trouble.

These waterproof islands appear very white and the rest of the gum goes a clear light grey colour and rolls off the stamp. The island need to be fussed over many time with lots of soaking in between and eventually the battle is won.

These white islands can not be seen when removing self adhesives off paper and I believe this is what is causing so many failures when we are trying to remove these stamps.

Always Happy Stamping. KGV