this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2025
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We all know WD-40 works for making things move when they’re seized, but it also works better than anything for getting rid of all traces of adhesive left behind after peeling off stubborn stickers from things you buy.

It works on nearly all surfaces* – even coated paper! (just be sure not to leave it to soak into the paper.)

Instead of peeling slowly for ages with your fingernail or doing that peel-stick-peel-stick thing for half an hour, soak a paper towel in WD-40 and dab it on the offending sticker remains, wait a few minutes, then wipe off. (*if on coated paper, don’t let it soak, just gently rub it.) Clean the item afterwards to remove the oil left behind.

*it’s best to test a small area first if the object is painted or porous, and be careful with items meant to be food safe, because WD-40 is obviously not food safe.

This is something I wish more people knew, because soooo many manufacturers and retailers put stickers in the worst places and with near-permanent adhesive. I hope this helps you!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I've never seen naptha (i.e. Zippo lighter fluid) do anything to any painted or finished surface, nor any of the plastics I've ever tired it on. I've been using the stuff in that context for decades, to the extent that I literally purchase it by the gallon. (I also use it in my lighters, because painter's naptha is like 2% of the cost per volume of brand name Zippo fluid despite being the same stuff.)

WD-40 contains nonvolatile oils that will leave a difficult to clean off residue behind and if you use it on anything porous it will soak in and possibly stain the surface while being functionally impossible to remove without using yet more solvents. For that reason it's not really a great way to get stickers off of things, especially things that you'd like to remain non-greasy or may need to stick something to again at some point in the future (paint, tape, etc.).

Naptha will evaporate entirely on its own given enough time, and you can even use it on paper and printed surfaces (excluding inkjet printed things, in my experience, which it will smear) with no harm done after it fully dries.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I’ve never seen naptha (i.e. Zippo lighter fluid) do anything to any painted or finished surface, nor any of the plastics I’ve ever tired it on.

I'd guess that it's probably bad news for natural rubber. IIRC, naphtha is similar to gasoline, and gasoline will mess natural rubber up.

That being said, I have a can of naphtha myself.

kagis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber

The two main solvents for rubber are turpentine and naphtha (petroleum). Because rubber does not dissolve easily, the material is finely divided by shredding prior to its immersion.

Sounds like it.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it is (obviously, given that that's how lighters that use it work) quite flammable in vapor form and the fumes aren't great to breathe, so this is something you'd want to use in a well-ventillated area.

EDIT:

https://kleanstrip.com/solvents-and-thinners/vmp-naphtha/

Klean-Strip® VM&P Naphtha can be used in place of Paint Thinner for oil-based paint, varnish and enamel when a faster drying time is desired.

So I don't think I'd want to casually get it on oil-based paint, since it'll be a solvent for that too.