I've got a couple of glass Saratoga bottles, like the one pictured below.
I'd like to remove the paint from them, but I don't want to use paint thinners or similar solvents. What household tools can I use to remove the paint?
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Sign up to join this communityI've got a couple of glass Saratoga bottles, like the one pictured below.
I'd like to remove the paint from them, but I don't want to use paint thinners or similar solvents. What household tools can I use to remove the paint?
The label is probably a silk-screen label called Applied Ceramic Label, which after screening, is baked onto the container. It's very difficult to remove. Scraping and scratching might remove it, but your bottle is going to be much the worse for wear.
I found a How to Clean site that claims using a brewer's cleaning product, Star San to soak off the label. It's an acidic product, available online.
They advise soaking your label in a pan or bucket containing Star San for 24-48 hours and that the printing will just magically begin to fall off when given a bit of a shake.
No indication of what this does to the bucket - the stuff is supposed to clean-up brewing supplies in just a couple of minutes.
Your best bet is probably a razor blade. You can also buy them with handles as "glass scrapers" with the decorating supplies, for getting paint off windows. Steel wool shouldn't scratch glass unless you really lean on it or i's got grit in it, so may be handy for the last bits. Heating the bottle first may soften the paint (to heat it without the risk of cracking, put it in a cold oven and turn on) but it may just make the paint smell bad.
This assumes that there's enough of an edge for the blade to bite. It's also possible that the design is etched. You may need solvents to get the last little bits off - acteone (nail polish remover) is worth a try if that's more acceptable.
Looked at a few videos, a dude was using apple cider vinegar. Same bottle as yours, wet à Scottie with plain white vinegar, put it in a ziplock overnight and wipe off the paint. No razor blade, no scratching...just vinegar on a Scott towel (thouroughly damp). Might be fine after 3-4 hours dunno... I used the same Scottie for 2 bottles...
If it's low temperature ceramic firing could it be heated in your home oven to highest possible temperature and rubbed off or at least smeared/smoothed? Heat safe gloves obviously needed.
I'd use a kitchen blow torch, but be careful.
I recommend applying heat, then using fine wire wool to prevent scratching.