Posted by John Swensen on August 07, 2001 at 10:59:32:
In Reply to: Re: Tuba Cosmetics Question. Need Help!!! posted by wcc3 on August 07, 2001 at 09:15:25:
I agree with this advice, in general, but I would favor trying mineral spirits (chlorinated hydrocarbons) before the alcohols as a regular practice.
It probably doesn't matter for brass instruments, but for furniture finishes (woodwinds, perhaps?), shellac finishes will be disolved by alcohol, but left alone by mineral spirits (regular, oil-based paint thinner, considerably cheaper than turpentine).
Also, be warned that isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) does attack and severely weaken some plastics (including the barrels of expensive, Pelikan calligraphy pens).
It may help to let the labels soak for a while, rather than trying to scrub them off; a paper towel soaked with the solvent and held in place with plastic wrap should work.