Soaking / Removing Stamps From Envelopes

I haven't soaked off any Australia self adhesive stamps for a while but in the past I had to soak them for a heck of a long time. There always seemed to be a film of gum between the paper and the stamp.

Bobby,
Bunnings sell "Un-do" label releaser.
It will remove an Aussie stamp in 2-3 seconds.

The gum remains on the stamp, you need to coat the gum with talcum powder. Your call if this is OK for your collection.

I've heard about Pure Citrus, Lighter Fluid, etc to remove self adhesive stamps, and have read about great success using these products. I still trim the envelopes as close to the stamp as possible to save..............reason..............my concern is what is the long term affects of using these "chemicals" on the stamps. Although the stamps appear undamaged today, will they discolor, stain. deteriorate, etc over time?

Maybe it's my paranoia.

Collectors have been using Lighter fluid for quite some time now, with no documented effects.

I've used Pure Citrus on US stamps with total success except for a few cancellations, mostly red, whose ink tends to run.

Thanks Rod, good thing my Australia collection stops at 1988!

I had two large stockbooks of used decimal Australia that ran well into the 1990s but I gave them to my brother years ago.

I've used a product called Bestine for US stamps. It took a while, and still left a sticky back. I then very lightly coated it with corn starch and all was good.

I have also decided not to collect self-adhesives.

Geoff

I've also been using Pure Citrus spray with excellent results most of the time. The only problem I've run into is when the stamp is adhered to a heavy cardboard; the spray won't penetrate sufficiently to affect the glue.
I then soak it in warm water and the cardboard comes apart. Finally, I spray again.
A lot of trouble for a stamp I could buy for a few cents, but what's the fun in buying ?

I have also used Bestine, and a more generic product available in larger quantities called Rubber Cement Thinner. Stores use it to remove price tags without leaving residue, and it works great for self-adhesive US issues. I have learned to apply the corn starch to the stamp back with a small paintbrush to keep it from getting all over everything.

I have yet to try it on Great Britain stamps with the elliptical cuts, but am encouraged by the discussions in this thread.

Yes, same product in Australia, marketed in Bunnings (Hardware Store) as "Un-do"

Expensive...$13 for a small bottle.

I just checked Bestine online....a pint is offered for $3.65 on one site.

I use the Pure Citrus Orange also, but am having trouble finding it these days. Stores tell me that they don't stock it any longer because it is too expensive and does not sell well. I ordered a product called Supersafe Stamp Lift Fluid on Amazon recently. Haven't recieved it yet, though.

I couldn't find Pure Citrus in stores either, but I bought it online quite easily; came in only a couple of days. Unfortunately, I don't remember whom I bought it from.

I think it's really interesting that an air freshener is the product of choice for this job. Who was the genius who tried spraying random household products on his collection until he discovered this??

Anyway, my real question: are there similar products that will do the same thing? Pure Citrus isn't available where I am and it would cost me a ton to import. Does anyone know the active ingredient that works on the adhesive?

I have used nail polish remover on the backing paper which then soaks through to the glue on the back of the stamp. Use a cotton bud to apply. Using this method you still have to use talcum powder but it has worked on the small number of self adhesive stamps I have.