Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Retailers—especially the big box knuckleheads—love slapping stickers on everything. And not the nice, easy-to-peel ones. I’m talking full-on, industrial-strength labels glued dead center on your best piece of plywood or exotic stock.
And here’s the kicker: they do it on purpose. They don’t want you to peel that barcode off and stick it on something else—so they make sure it doesn’t come off clean. Which means you get to spend your day scraping goo instead of building.
If that’s ever driven you crazy, here’s your fix.
Grab a heat gun. You can get one for under $20, and it’s perfect for this. Warm the sticker directly until a corner starts to lift. Then slowly peel it back while continuing to apply heat. Go slow, keep the heat moving, and be careful not to roast your fingers.
There isn’t a sticker made that can resist this tip.
Unfortunately… you’re not quite done.If you try to add a finish to your stock now—or even try sanding it—you'll regret it later on. There’s invisible residue left behind. Wipe it with alcohol or mineral spirits to clean off the silicone and glue.
Still unsure? Flick some water on the spot. If it beads, there's still residue. Wipe it again—and once it’s clean, reset the surface with a light sanding.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
Retailers—especially the big box knuckleheads—love slapping stickers on everything. And not the nice, easy-to-peel ones. I’m talking full-on, industrial-strength labels glued dead center on your best piece of plywood or exotic stock.
And here’s the kicker: they do it on purpose. They don’t want you to peel that barcode off and stick it on something else—so they make sure it doesn’t come off clean. Which means you get to spend your day scraping goo instead of building.
If that’s ever driven you crazy, here’s your fix.
Grab a heat gun. You can get one for under $20, and it’s perfect for this. Warm the sticker directly until a corner starts to lift. Then slowly peel it back while continuing to apply heat. Go slow, keep the heat moving, and be careful not to roast your fingers.
There isn’t a sticker made that can resist this tip.
Unfortunately… you’re not quite done.If you try to add a finish to your stock now—or even try sanding it—you'll regret it later on. There’s invisible residue left behind. Wipe it with alcohol or mineral spirits to clean off the silicone and glue.
Still unsure? Flick some water on the spot. If it beads, there's still residue. Wipe it again—and once it’s clean, reset the surface with a light sanding.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
