<p>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.</p>

<p>I found a <a href="http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-painted-on-bottle-labels/#YouWillNeed" rel="nofollow">How to Clean site</a> that claims using a brewer's cleaning product, Star San to soak off the label.  It's an acidic product, available online.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>No indication of what this does to the bucket - the stuff is supposed to clean-up brewing supplies in just a couple of minutes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T17:29:03.977Z
We use it for our brewing. I'm not sure about this usage but it won't do anything to the bucket as long as it's a hard plastic. It's great stuff for cleaning but I've never used it for this purpose, so I'm not sure if it will work or not. Here's a website that sells it and that has more info about it: http://www.northernbrewer.com/star-san Note the warning: "*It is safe for use on all surfaces, but use caution since it is an acid; contact with soft metals, rubber, and plastic should be kept to a minimum.*"
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T18:05:42.537Z
Apparently someone contacted the producer themselves and they said it is ACL and they don't know of a method to remove it :/ Check [this](http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1482666/removing-writing-on-blue-saratoga-bottles) link
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T18:31:03.160Z
@jackwise  I checked your link. If I really wanted to remove the ACL, I would give the Star San a shot. No hint from Saratoga of what their multiple attempts might have entailed :).
Ast Pace
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T21:17:47.170Z
@creationedge Hot phosphoric acid (200°C) can also dissolve glass. One of the acids in Star San is phosphoric, the other being docylbenzenesulfnate acid, which also has an ability to react with the surface of glass. I kind of wonder what soaking a bottle in Star San for two days might do to the basic bottle, but we have a source that says it works so....  Also, the application of the label constitutes a low-fire glaze which as I recall is less stable than hotter glazing.
Ast Pace
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-10T13:19:57.077Z
I'm unfortunately not planning on buying any new equipment for this so if acetone doesn't work (not expecting it to), I'll just leave the bottles as-is
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T17:21:40.247Z
2016-08-09T17:21:40.247Z
Ast Pace
<p>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 <em>may</em> 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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T15:21:46.630Z
Acetone and white vinegar were my first hunches, since they seem to take care of everything - I'll try those out when I can.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T15:23:01.070Z
I've found acetone to be good in a few cases but often useless.  I doubt vinegar would help, though it may be good for a final clean.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-10T06:01:51.963Z
If it does turn out to be a ceramic as suggested in another answer this is unlikely to work very well
Chris H
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T15:20:22.257Z
2016-08-09T15:20:22.257Z
Chris H
<p>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...</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T15:54:43.153Z
2019-11-08T15:54:43.153Z
Francis
<p>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.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-21T13:36:33.157Z
Your solution is in the form of a question.  Can you clarify whether this is an approach you're merely speculating about and putting it out there for comment, or it's a solution known to work at least in some cases?  Thanks.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T23:31:03.377Z
2021-10-21T08:28:04.940Z
2021-10-21T08:28:04.940Z
ChrisWA
<p>I'd use a kitchen blow torch, but be careful.<br />
I recommend applying heat, then using fine wire wool to prevent scratching.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-24T04:47:34.757Z
2021-10-24T05:23:40.077Z
2021-10-24T05:23:40.077Z
Richard Dalton
<p>I've got a couple of <a href="http://www.saratogaspringwater.com/products.html" rel="noreferrer">glass Saratoga bottles</a>, like the one pictured below. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yLoP4.gif" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yLoP4.gif" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>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?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T14:46:05.207Z
Is it paint, or some sort of label? [Some of these answers may also work on paint](http://crafts.stackexchange.com/q/595/30), but knowing what sort of paint may be critical to know how to get it off most easily.
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T14:49:06.880Z
May I ask, is a heat gun an option for you? Is the bottle really glass or is it plastic?
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T14:50:41.750Z
@Erica It's applied directly onto the glass, so I assume it's paint. I can't post images of my bottles at the moment, but google has some higher res images
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T14:50:46.627Z
@JohnVukelic It's glass, just checked the Saratoga website. I'll update accordingly.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-09T15:22:39.343Z
Okay. Heat gun is out. Store bought paint removers is out. That leaves home receipes. I have not tried a homemade solution but the internet tells me there are: recipes for homemade paint removers. http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/100411.aspx
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-10T06:01:18.350Z
Heat gun isn't necessarily out, but you'd want to preheat the whole bottle first to reduce thermal stress, and try to keep it hot.
Chris H
<paint><glass>
How can I remove paint from glass bottles w/o paint thinner?
jackwise
# How can I remove paint from glass bottles w/o paint thinner?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-09)

I've got a couple of [glass Saratoga bottles](http://www.saratogaspringwater.com/products.html), like the one pictured below.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/yLoP4.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/yLoP4.gif)

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?

**Tags:** paint, glass

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is it paint, or some sort of label? [Some of these answers may also work on paint](http://crafts.stackexchange.com/q/595/30), but knowing what sort of paint may be critical to know how to get it off most easily.  
> **username_2**: May I ask, is a heat gun an option for you? Is the bottle really glass or is it plastic?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 It's applied directly onto the glass, so I assume it's paint. I can't post images of my bottles at the moment, but google has some higher res images  
> **username_0**: @username_2 It's glass, just checked the Saratoga website. I'll update accordingly.  
> **username_2**: Okay. Heat gun is out. Store bought paint removers is out. That leaves home receipes. I have not tried a homemade solution but the internet tells me there are: recipes for homemade paint removers. http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/100411.aspx  
> **username_3**: Heat gun isn't necessarily out, but you'd want to preheat the whole bottle first to reduce thermal stress, and try to keep it hot.  

---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-08-09. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

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](http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-painted-on-bottle-labels/#YouWillNeed) 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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: We use it for our brewing. I'm not sure about this usage but it won't do anything to the bucket as long as it's a hard plastic. It's great stuff for cleaning but I've never used it for this purpose, so I'm not sure if it will work or not. Here's a website that sells it and that has more info about it: http://www.northernbrewer.com/star-san Note the warning: "*It is safe for use on all surfaces, but use caution since it is an acid; contact with soft metals, rubber, and plastic should be kept to a minimum.*"  
> **username_0**: Apparently someone contacted the producer themselves and they said it is ACL and they don't know of a method to remove it :/ Check [this](http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1482666/removing-writing-on-blue-saratoga-bottles) link  
> **username_4**: @username_0  I checked your link. If I really wanted to remove the ACL, I would give the Star San a shot. No hint from Saratoga of what their multiple attempts might have entailed :).  
> **username_4**: @creationedge Hot phosphoric acid (200°C) can also dissolve glass. One of the acids in Star San is phosphoric, the other being docylbenzenesulfnate acid, which also has an ability to react with the surface of glass. I kind of wonder what soaking a bottle in Star San for two days might do to the basic bottle, but we have a source that says it works so....  Also, the application of the label constitutes a low-fire glaze which as I recall is less stable than hotter glazing.  
> **username_0**: I'm unfortunately not planning on buying any new equipment for this so if acetone doesn't work (not expecting it to), I'll just leave the bottles as-is  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-08-09. Score: 3

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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Acetone and white vinegar were my first hunches, since they seem to take care of everything - I'll try those out when I can.  
> **username_3**: I've found acetone to be good in a few cases but often useless.  I doubt vinegar would help, though it may be good for a final clean.  
> **username_3**: If it does turn out to be a ceramic as suggested in another answer this is unlikely to work very well  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2019-11-08. Score: 1

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...


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2021-10-20. Score: 0

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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: Your solution is in the form of a question.  Can you clarify whether this is an approach you're merely speculating about and putting it out there for comment, or it's a solution known to work at least in some cases?  Thanks.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2021-10-24. Score: 0

I'd use a kitchen blow torch, but be careful.  
I recommend applying heat, then using fine wire wool to prevent scratching.


---

