How to remove an export approval seal from porcelain?

[Mark-S]

I'd like to remove a wax seal from one of my porcelain plates. Yes, it's on the bottom... but I don't like it.

I'm wondering how to do this right. My first thought was to use a lighter to melt the wax and and then a cloth dipped in alcohol to wipe the wax away. But this does not seem to be the recommended way.

What's your advice? I don't want to damage it, because it wasn't cheap.

[pedant]

pic?

i'd gently warm the plate with a heat gun, scrape most of the wax off with a razor, and then wipe the remaining residue off with paper towel dipped in a non-polar (or less-polar-than-water) solvent. i'd try vegetable oil first (again, with the plate heated). if that doesn't work, i'd keep trying whatever else i had access to. alcohol, acetone, EtOAc, ether, xylene, toluene, hexane, etc. or some product like 'goo gone' formulated to remove stickers. finally, i'd give the plate a good washing with soap and water.

[debunix]

Can you scrape it at all?

I'd pull out my lemon oil and go for it. I keep it around for baking: it's more concentrated than extracts so you can add a lot of flavor without much textural impact. And it is great for cleaning stuff too--I'm sure I use larger volumes for cleaning than for cooking, even if I reach for it more often for recipes.

[Mark-S]

@pedant

Thanks The heat gun is a great idea... but I won't use a razor blade at first. I used it on my phone to remove a screen protector and scratched the display during the process.

@debunix

Thanks for the advice, but I don't have lemon oil at home. Maybe I can use distilled vinegar.

I think I'll use a heat gun, dental floss and then distilled vinegar... If this is not sufficient I'll consider the other methods.

[pedant]

Yep, lemon oil would probably work very well (primary component is limonene which is a pretty decent solvent). My preference would be to use something more refined and less smelly though, but lemon oil is probably a useful thing to have around for more than just cleaning.

Vinegar won't help, but it doesn't hurt to try if you have nothing else.

Yes, razor takes some experience.

[olivierd]

well, I like that seal, I would not peal it off .

[Mark-S]

@pedantI bought some lemon oil for about $5 today from Amazon. I guess it's better to do it right from the beginning.

well, I like that seal, I would not peal it off .

I know that most collectors wouldn't remove it. It's the same with the F1 stickers. But I like them better without.