Does anyone have experience removing the painted label from Altoids and similar tins? Should it be sealed? With what? Please be specific I am not knowledgeable about metal sealants.<br><br>I also can see the wisdom of leaving the label on to camouflage the kit, but I would also like to try my hand at having a plain container.<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>Carl Morgan<br>

Seems like too much work...<br><br>I wonder if brake fluid plus a little elbow grease with wet-or-dry silicone carbide sandpaper or a 3M scrubbie would do the trick? Obviously, water + the sandpaper will do the job.<br><br>I spray-painted a bunch of them day-glo orange for the Scouts. That took no effort....<br><br>Tom

I tried this. Lots of elbow grease with a 3M abrasive pad and I had *almost* all the paint off (around the hinges was tricky). I then put it in the dishrack to try. It was rusted by the next morning (memo to self -- always dry steel by hand after wetting).<br><br>This also indicated to me that I needed to coat it in some fashion.

i used paint stripper and steel wool on my tin, it seemed to work well ,while also needing minimal elbow grease. a coat of clear varnish will seal it after you are done

I do not take the paint off of altoid tins any more. I buy a roll of aluminized tape and put it over top and bottom. Do not buy the cheap stuff. Get the tape that professional sheet metal workers use. It is highly reflective. Cut the pieces long and use a file around the edges to remove the excess.