Discussion Removing HDD stickers

[ruby]

Hey
I've been thinking about removing the top sticker off a 3.5" disk for color-consistency reasons, but am reluctant to go ahead if it just leaves me with a layer of glue residue and ripped paper. So, if anyone here has experience with that I would love some advice. These do not look easily peeled off; maybe a hot air gun would help but I don't know.

 

[mfmunh]

you can even use a dryer on heat setting to loosen up the glue and them peel. Afterward, use Goo Gone to remove any remaining residue. GL

 

[Tonyblu331]

If not you can just use some rubbing alcohol + wipes and start smudging those residues.

 

[tinyitx]

Must be super careful if you do use a heat gun. Max operating temp of a HDD is about 60C while a heat gun emits hot air of at least 100C. Granted that the heated up part is the (surface of) casing, one never knows how this heat is transmitted by conduction to the internal mechanism.
If you are successful, maybe you can post your experience here.

 

[dKenGuru]

Use Isopropyl alcohol and dish sponge.
Do not use heat gun.

 

[ruby]

Thanks for the advices. I've been looking for isopropanol/ethanol mixture where I live but so far no luck. I might share my experience if I go ahead with this.

 

[Phuncz]

In my country I can buy isopropyl alcohol (99,99% pure) in the pharmacy, but maybe you can find it in DIY stores as well.

 

[1337harcha]

And for situations when alcohol nor Fairy cut it, you can always try baby oil soap, this thing get's rid of sticker-glue real well.
I bought some kitchenware 2 years ago and until recently it still had glue residue despite countless times of washing up. Baby oil soap got rid of it in 2 minutes.

 

[Sazexa]

Alternatively, you can consider just getting some vinyl wrap. You can get all kinds of colors, and textures (if "fake texture" is something you're okay with.) But glossy or matte black, white, and any color in between is available. Enough to do some hard drives would be relatively cheap, too.

 

[ruby]

Yeah, I already have some custom vinyl text on the sides. Having a large patch on the top would definitely work.

 

[ruby]

--UPDATE--

I finally went ahead and peeled the sticker off a new Seagate 3.5" drive. It came off easily, with no residue and no need for solvents!

Kudos to Seagate for using hassle-free glue. Don't know about other vendors though.

 

[Deleted member 23607]

--UPDATE--

I finally went ahead and peeled the sticker off a new Seagate 3.5" drive. It came off easily, with no residue and no need for solvents!

Kudos to Seagate for using hassle-free glue. Don't know about other vendors though.

Congrats! Friendly tip: if you have a label making machine, put a little label of the model number of the drive on the side if it doesn't bother you.