Amstel Light Bottle Labels

[Troubs]

These things are a biznatch to get off! Anyone had any luck with a technique they use for getting those labels off.

I've tried a oxyclean soak for about a week but they are still on there as strong as ever.

 

[llazy_llama]

If oxiclean didn't get it, you might have to scrub with some steel wool.

Man, if oxiclean can't get the label off, I wouldn't even bother. Remind me not to buy Amstel Light.

 

[Troubs]

If it was just a few I wouldn't even bother with it but my co-worker is keeping a steady a steady stream coming in for me and I need the bottles

 

[llazy_llama]

What sort of concentration are you using with your oxiclean? I generally use about 4-5 scoops in a bathtub full of water, and all my labels either float off, or pull off easily enough after 4-6 hours.

Then again, I haven't tried Amstel Light bottles, so YMMV.

 

[xxdcmast]

Yep same thing with heinekin bottles they are a PITA to get off. I think its because the labels are a plasticized sticker sheet rather than a glued paper label. I usually just leave them on.

 

[jmiracle]

You could try acetone, I haven't tried it for labels myself but it dissolves glue and stuff like that...just wear rubber gloves and be in an area with adequate ventilation (oh and no smoking).

 

[Troubs]

Acetone is an idea. Not sure if I want to put my mouth around that after though. My concentration has been 1 full scoop per 5 gallons.

 

[EcuPirate07]

I just fill up the tub with hot water and bleach, submerge the bottles and wait a coulpe of hours, most fall off and you just have to scrape a little of the glue off but works pretty well and cleans the tub at the same time. Prob the hardest lables I have found to get off are New Castle.

 

[jmiracle]

Probably before acetone I'd try just making the oxyclean bath like 5 times as strong and see if that did it

 

[Brew-Happy]

To speed up the process, try to cut a few lines through the middle of the label with a box cutter or utility knife. That way the solvent can get to the middle of the label quicker, i.e. increase your exposed surface area.

Another idea is a spray bottle of paint thinner/mineral spirits. Cut the label and spray a good coating of solvent.


Or go the lazy way and use them as it and way for them to "naturally" fall off.

 

[Troubs]

alright, cool. I'll try increasing the concentration of the oxiclean first then go to the acetone in a spray bottle if that doesn't work. Thanks for the input

 

[Forbein11]

I just did a bunch of these. Best method is to pry up a corner of each sticker and just peel off (3 on each bottle I think). It either peels all the way off or it rips. If it rips, toss the bottle. If it peels and leaves a bit of residue, you can use goo gone to clean up the residue. Try not to rip your nail off prying the corner up. I was able to use about 75% of the bottles. I'll only use these when someone gives them to mee. Good luck.

 

[Brew-Happy]

alright, cool. I'll try increasing the concentration of the oxiclean first then go to the acetone in a spray bottle if that doesn't work. Thanks for the input

Word of warning here: If you use acetone with a plastic spray bottle, make sure it is rated for chemical use. Acetone in decent concentrations can melt plastic. One of those lessons learned.

 

[ColoradoIcculus]

I just started brewing and had a bunch of Amstel bottles myself. I agree that if you can't get the labels off in one shot, you'll spend way too much time trying to get em all. Not only are the labels a pain, but the bottles are too thin around the neck for the capper to properly work. I found a technique to combat this, but in the future I will look elsewhere for my bottles

 

[Troubs]

Guess I'll just have to convince my coworker to drink something good :cross:

 

[woollybugger2]

get your friend to switch brands...

jis sayin'

 

[Lancezos]

My parent's just gave me a whole case of these I think I'm going to try a heat gun ($10 a Harbor Freight). I'll let you know if it's a PITA. Otherwise they're pretty nice bottles.

 

[PvtSkippy]

My brother deposited a couple cases of Amstel/Heineken bottles on my doorstep. I ended up using a hair dryer to loosen up the glue in order to peel the labels off then soaking in Oxyclean to get the glue off.

If I hadn't been desperate for free bottles at the time they would have ended up in the recycling bin.

Edit - you'll probably need a bench capper for those bottles.

 

[Homercidal]

A wing capper sometimes doesn't grab the necks of certain bottles. This is likely the case here.

Maybe try a single edge razor blade to clean up some of the leftover label? Personally, I got access to so many bottles, that if I find a brand that doesn't come off easy, I just take back to the store.

Bottles are a dime apiece here and I can collect as many as I want.

 

[yeasty]

I just did a bunch of these. Best method is to pry up a corner of each sticker and just peel off (3 on each bottle I think). It either peels all the way off or it rips. If it rips, toss the bottle. If it peels and leaves a bit of residue, you can use goo gone to clean up the residue. Try not to rip your nail off prying the corner up. I was able to use about 75% of the bottles. I'll only use these when someone gives them to mee. Good luck.

+1 on goof off for those labels. by the way i find heineken bottles take a little more care in capping. i think the top of the bottle is slightly smaller than some.

 

[JPicasso]

I used oxy clean to get the labels off, overnight soak.

But I'd not use Amstel bottles with a wing capper. I've only broken 4 bottles capping, and 3/4 were Amstel bottles. It just crushes them.

 

[defenestrate]

i used these bottles once and they didnt cap right-i dont use a bench capper though. pretty annoying having 12 flat beers i would never use them again.

 

[Troubs]

The more I think about it the more I have the feeling that I am just going to toss these things. Thanks for the help!

 

[timmystank]

Labels were easy as he'll to get off just peeled them as I ran them under hot water. Buuiuuut they don't cap easy and I doubt if they'll be fully carbonated. I'll found out in 3 weeks.

 

[justinh85]

Eh, just run 'em thru the dishwasher on hot wash a couple times. I really don't fool too much with getting *everything* off, since I will re-use them enough, eventually it will all come off in the wash.

 

[kshuler]

I have a bunch of these, also from a coworker. I have the labels peeled off, but the glue doesn't seem to want to come off. Anyone tried PBW soak just for the glue?

Also, I have a handheld capper and am hoping to use this. If anyone has the big red plastic one, you can pull out the little metal insert and turn it around to a larger sized neck holder... my hope is this will not break the bottles.

Won't know until I try.

Klaus