Travel Products - best method for cleaning security and luggage labels off Rimowa Topas

I was wondering if more experienced Rimowa Topas owners can share how they remove all the security labels, and luggage labels off their aluminum Rimowa topas?

I just did a R/T SFO-ICN-SIN-DPS-SIN-HKG-SFO and i have these ugly security stickers and the residue from the luggage tag stickers on my Rimowa.

I know some feel that the stickers are a mark of pride, but alot of these were placed across the opening, and are have shredded off. These stickers were meant to break off in pieces for tamper resistance. Some are plastic, some are paper, etc.
The luggage stickers come off easily, but they leave a plastic film on the case.

They definitely do not have that classic age of travel look with large geometric stickers with big airport codes on them, it just looks like my bag got attacked by a three year old and a sheet of stickers and colored tape.

What do you do to clean them off nicely?

Oh and my Rimowa Topas has been holding up well. I don't have a cover, the guy on Ebay that FT'ers recommend doesn't make covers for the larger 2 wheel Topas. A couple of minor dings, and a few minor scrapes, but overall it still looks good, and the weight/strength ratio is great. I came back with wood carvings and glass art frames in my bag, not padded except with my clothes, and no damage whatsoever.

You know, that's a really good question. I must admit I luckily didn't have this problem yet but if I did I'd try the following things.

1. If you want to use no chemicals at all, try to loosen the adhesive with a blow dryer. Then remove the rest with water and a brush. Cumbersome.

2. Use Goo-gone. It works very well on adhesive rests.

3. If the Goo-gone leaves oily residue on the alu, remove that either with dishwashing detergent or rubbing alcohol.


Till

Do not have a Topas, but have heard of using cooking oil to remove adhesives. I dont believe the oil would hurt the aluminum....

I don't have a cover, the guy on Ebay that FT'ers recommend doesn't make covers for the larger 2 wheel Topas.

How large a Topas do you have? I have an 82cm and Carry-Rite makes a cover that fits perfectly. 10 trips thus far on it and not a single scratch on the piece (a couple of small dents, but that is normal.) I also have a 68cm and bought a cover off of eBay, but that cover isn't as good as the Carry-Rite.

Goo gone works really well. They have a citrus version that's not oily. WD-40 or cooking old would also work.

Don't have Rimowa, but I use 3M adhesive remover to clean all the travel stickers I get on my Zero-Halliburton aluminum cases...works like magic but is not safe on all plastics.

http://www.amazon.com/General-Purpose-Adhesive-Cleaner-Gen/dp/B0002NUO6K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I have the 74cm one. One smaller than yours.

The guy on Ebay said he only makes them for the 4 wheelers, and the overhead sized 2 wheelers. He said not enough demand for the larger 2 wheelers.
How much is the Carry-rite cover? Their webpage doens't ahve products or pricess.

I may skip the cover, as I already took a few trips without one. Scratches aren't that bad. Its the minor dents that are more noticeable. And a cover doesn't prevent dents. If the scratches remain this minor I don't mind. Its like when you were a kid and got new white sneakers, and tried to get them dirty and scuffed right away to look less obvious they were new.


How large a Topas do you have? I have an 82cm and Carry-Rite makes a cover that fits perfectly. 10 trips thus far on it and not a single scratch on the piece (a couple of small dents, but that is normal.) I also have a 68dm and bought a cover off of eBay, but that cover isn't as good as the Carry-Rite.

How much is the Carry-rite cover?

It is about $50.