Removing Red Stripe Labels without StarSan

[gib0r]

Sweet. Now to see if this works with other screened bottles.

 

[funkapottomous]

I used CLR (Calcium Lime Rust) cleaner and the label comes off. I just filled the bottles with water and set them in a glass with about 1.5 inches of CLR in the bottom. Badda bing badda boom, label is gone in about 15 minutes. I tried this for the first time today with red stripe bottles I bought yesterday. I couldn't find any definitive way to do it but this works like a charm. No scrubbing either, I just wiped it off with my finger.

glad somebody finally got success with this thread; I'm going to start drinking a **** ton more of red stripe now.

 

[RegionalChaos]

Sandblast.

 

[Powers]

after nearly an hour of soaking in CLR (not diluted), the label shows no signs of coming off. i'll let it go for the rest of the day and see what happens. i know funk said 15 min, so i'm confused about the lack of results over 50 minutes...

 

[Didje]

Has anyone come up with a miracle solution, aside from StarSan?

 

[fermenteverything]

We need a confirmation on the CLR effectiveness!

 

[brewdiver87]

I bottle mostly in Rogue bottles which also have painted on labels. I cover the top of the bottle with a little plastic wrap and remove the label with my bench grinder and wire wheel attachment. Takes about 45 seconds/bottle. Doesn't scratch the bottle nor have I ever broken one doing it this way and I have done it this way for over 100 bottles.

 

[dillrepair]

yes i'm a new member so i'm sorry to do this to those that like red stripe.... but i think that beer tastes like drinking water soaked straw.... not appealing to me... the bottles on the other hand are very cool... my impression of the mixed results for chemicals is that some of the bottles must be painted differently (or some small variance in manufacturing process that they don't care about) than others... for example i was able to use a razorblade to effectively remove the paint of a whole bottle... no problem; then all the others i tried (even after a day of soaking in star san) didn't budge... furthermore all the paint on the corona light bottles i put in with them came off easily... i'm thinking skip the chemical approach and simply go mechanical here.... i am about to experiment with a wire wheel on a dremel tool....

addendum: it appears that someone at the bar next door enjoys red stripe so these have been the only bottles scavengable lately.

 

[creepybckrubgirl]

it can be teadious but if you're dead set on having these awesome stubbies it can take up to 48 hours, a copper scrub, baking soda, and maybe some elbow grease. Boil bottles in water w baking soda for 30 min and then leave overnight - the following night. Some I find peel with ease and others I have to use the copper scrub and elbow grease, but I'm excited to say that it's possible!

 

[cubbyandmel]

Not sure about others' lack of success with CLR. I have done it to over 100 bottles bought all over the southeast with the same results. Soak for 15 minutes in undiluted CLR and the label wipes off with your finger. This works on Corona, Rogue, etc.

As far as contaminating your bottles, make sure the cup you put them in is shorter than the bottle, just enough to cover the label. Once you are done, rinse in hot water and StarSan for sterilization.

 

[Calichusetts]

Saniclean is a stronger concentration of starsan (same company). But if people are recommending muriatic acid and CLR without results I feel this might not get the job done. Lagunitas has very similar stubby bottles...good luck

 

[Guidry]

If you follow that same procedure described with the CLR, i.e. a short cup partially filled to cover only the label and not the neck, you can get the paint off with Castrol Super Clean (found in the automotive supply stores or section at Walmart). There are store brand products called something like "purple power" or something like that which may also work, but the Castrol brand will.

 

[kh54s10]

From reading through this thread I get the impression that there are bottles that have more of a paint and others that have more of a glass type label. I guess you might just collect as many bottles as you can then try to remove the label. If it comes off, good. If not recycle the bottle.

Sierra Nevada also uses stubbies.

 

[Spanky338]

How about brewing a Red Stripe clone and you won't have to remove the label...(joke)...

Although, when I was in Jamaica, I drank a bunch of Red Stripe...even took a very nice Red Stripe cruise on a 50+ foot sail boat with Mr. Marley blasting on the sound system, over to the Falls and then out to a beautiful reef for drunken snorkeling...that sounds dirtier than it was, but I did get to see a bunch of bikini tops dropping as the ladies swam through the waters...

:rockin:

 

[rawlus]

Full Sail Brewery makes two beers, Session Lager and Session Black Lager..both in stubbies with paper labels. I've used them a bunch for 11oz shorts. Bench capper required.

 

[caman1015]

Anybody try a razorblade? It's a little work but it comes off.

 

[Imagineer]

I've had success with a wire wheel mounted in a bench grinder, just be careful not to get burned wear good leather gloves. It takes just a few minutes, or you could try a razor blade.