Some Help Please Australian Stamps Modern

About 6 months ago, Steve, Triggersmob sent me the complete set of 2009 Australian post stamps. He left these stamps "on piece" and they appear to be self adhesive stamps...Question.. can these be soaked or should I leave the " On Piece " as always thanks in advance ..

bob
Here is a way to soak those self adhesive if you decide too. I found that on SCF of course. Maybe you saw it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWMcVYgIZjM

Timbres.. I would be a little reluctant using that solution on stamps

Only time will tell of course but Fuelite or its variants evaporates very quick and leaves no residue.
I haven't noticed anything untoward as yet.

Very interesting video on that fuelite!

Bob, I leave my stamps on paper these days, but if you like, you can soak them off. Use very warm to hot water and soak for a few minutes, then the glue will soften and you can peel the stamps off the paper.
Don't rush it, better to leave a little longer if in doubt. Any remnants can usually be removed with a little more soaking and rolling the gum with your thumb.

Steve

Bob, this is the method copied from the Austpost website.

How do I get self-adhesive stamps off an envelope?

Self-adhesive stamps have two layers of adhesive. One is the tack that bonds the stamps to the envelope; the other is a water-soluble adhesive that lies between the self adhesive tack and the stamp paper. The water-soluble layer is there so that collectors can obtain good used copies. (very thoughtful of them)
Self-adhesive tack is practically impervious to water on one side of the stamp and the varnish creates a waterproof seal on the other. When soaking by conventional methods water cannot reach the water-soluble layer effectively.
Although several substances have been touted as means of overcoming the problem, we do not favour the use of anything other than clean water. To give the water a chance to activate the soluble layer, it needs to be almost at boiling point and the stamps need to be immersed for up to half an hour. The stamps should then be gently eased off the paper and, when dry, any remaining tack removed carefully with an art gum eraser.
(I find it doesn't take as long as they mention)

Steve

I agree with Trigger. I leave my self adhesives on the backing paper when ever possible. But to soak the stamp off with warm to hot water is the way to go. Cool video but not sure I would use that method.

Why not go back to original gum methods for us the collectors.
Ahh! technolgy not always in our favour.