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Hi All~
I have a set of Mary Englebreit stamps that are about 10 yrs old. They're red rubber but mounted on black foam-like stuff that's about 1/2" thick. They also aren't trimmed at all. I'd like to trim them and put them on EZ mount. Do you think it'd be safe to put them in the microwave (to remove the rubber, not cook them :mrgreen: )? I don't mind experimenting but I really like the stamps & don't want to ruin them. Any opinions are most welcome!! TIA
__________________ Connie ~ AKA Grandma to 3*perfect*grandkids Jimmie Johnson #48 fan! KS Jayhawk alumni!
I microwaved some wood mounted and the rubber was fine, not even hot. The wood was a little warm so start small 15 seconds or so. You can also condition the rubber after microwaving with your versamark or stamp cleaner.
Good luck!
I think it would be fine - what about providing some insulation - wrapping in paper towel? Or what about Goo Gone? I have never used it but others here rave about how it disolves glue.
Connie - I've unmounted several of those mounted-on-foam types and the foam hasn't melted. I've actually heated the foam with a heat gun and stamped into it to make a kind of reverse-image stamp (just messing around to see if it would work; I never actually made a card out of them or anything). If a heat gun blowing directly on it won't melt it, the microwave shouldn't.
It sometimes helps to put a small bowl or mug of water in the microwave with the stamps. It helps keep the microwave from overheating AND any steam helps loosen the stamps from the foam.
Some of mine had foam and adhesive that didn't release all the way; I just used Un-Du on them to get rid of the remaining residue and I haven't noticed any ill effects.
i had some stamps like that with the foam backing. i soaked them in water first it helped loosen the glue, gently peeled them off and where there were bits of glue and foam i used goo gone, then i was able to mount them to ez mount.
It worked! And no toxic fumes Seriously, this foam smells SO bad that I could picture something awful happening if I microwaved it. Not so & now I can toss it. Thanks for the moral support, Stephanie - I'm such a coward sometimes!
__________________ Connie ~ AKA Grandma to 3*perfect*grandkids Jimmie Johnson #48 fan! KS Jayhawk alumni!
If you're nervous about it, you may just want to slide a hobby blade between the foam and rubber, then see if you can peel it away without heating it.
I'm in the process of unmounting all of my stamps right now. I haven't microwaved any of them. I bought a hotknife, which is just an exacto knife that's heated. On my older stamps, I just need to create a slit between the layers, then I peel the rubber right off.
Opinions, please!!
