You’ve all experienced it. You go to EBgames or Gamestop to buy a game, and the only copies they have are gutted, with the sticker on it. Or you go to buy a pre-owned game, which is guaranteed to have a sticker on the case. And then after you buy it, they put this giant sticker on it to seal it as proof that it hasn’t been opened (blame piracy for that one).

You take it home, and try to peel off that god-damn sticker as carefully as you can and it throws you a bomb before it can be thwarted – it tears, leaving behind a papery sticker gunk residue. You then spend the rest of the day picking at the gunk until it virtually destroys the case’s would-have-been-shiny-finish, and have also dented the insert underneath. You try applying tape to it, but it does nothing! Then the sticky parts collect dirt and eventually turn black, making your game look thoroughly used!! Maddening!!!

But! There are ways to remove it without so much as breaking a sweat! You can apply this method to DVD cases, manga, and other stickers stuck on shiny surfaces!! How?! Read on!

There are actually two methods. The first one is not so good, and is the most common method. The problem is that the glue on the sticker is really really sticky, and the sticker’s paper is really really cheap. You’ll find higher quality stickers actually come right off without a hitch, and that the paper on the sticker is firm and heavy duty. To remove these cheap stickers, you must weaken the glue by heating it. Using a hair-dryer, you gently go over the sticker until it becomes hot to the touch. Then, using a finger nail, pick at one corner, and with hair dryer still on it, slowly peel the sticker away. The glue will be loosened enough from the heat that it will come off pretty easily.

The downside to this method is that it’s not 100%. You may still tear the sticker. Also, at the end of it, you’ll still have a little bit of a sticky spot. And the worst part? The hair dryer warps the plastic from your game or DVD case.

This next method, I’ve discovered after experimenting with several stickers and DVD cases, and has worked for me 100%.

First off, remove all the contents of the DVD case – the disc, the manual, the inserts. Next, if the sticker is a glossy finish, pick a corner with your finger nail and start peeling. If it tears, that’s okay. Keep at it until the gloss finish stuff is gone. That stuff is generally more sturdy, so it should peel off with little effort. If the sticker is a matt finish, you can ignore that step.

Next, take a couple drops of water on your finger and apply it to the sticker gunk. Only a drop or two is necessary. Gently rub the surface with your finger. Bits of paper balls should start coming off. Brush that stuff off with your finger and repeat until there aren’t any more bits coming off. You’ll still have a crapload of residue on it. Don’t worry. The idea is to clean off just the paper stuff. When you’re done, pat the surface with a clean, lint free towel. Yes, towel. Not paper towel. When it’s dry, you’ll be left with a very sticky residue. This is the glue that’s left over.

With most of the paper gunk gone, it will stick to anything. But, apply something sticky to that, and it will stick to that instead! So next, get some scotch tape. Any type will do. Stick part of the tape on (not entirely, otherwise you’ll be trying to peel the tape off instead) while still grasping one end of the tape with a finger. Rub the tape onto the glue with a finger, and then pull the tape. Glue should come right off. Sometimes, I like to hold both sides of the tape, and use my thumb to rub the tape in, and then pull straight up instead.

This method works with almost any sticker – price tags, labels, security stickers, bumper stickers, you name it. Some heavier grade glues require heavier types of tape, so try accordingly.

There, now you’re free from stickies!! (next time I get another game like that, I’ll add photos on how it’s done)