Removing Tape Residue

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fred miller

I made the mistake of taping up stuff to the fiberglas deck and handrails of my 35.5 for winter storage. The tape came off but left the residual sticky glue behind. I cannot find anything to remove it and do not want to damage the fiberglas opr plexi with anything too drastic. Any ideas? Acetone does not work nor does WD40, Skin So Soft, or other solvents. Fred Miller s/v M Squared
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Goo gone!

Fred: Try Goo Gone (I think that is how they spell it). They have it a places like K-mart or the grocery store. It is used to remove labels and stuff like that. If that does not work, IG (Island Girl) Pink will get it off. The problem with IG is that you may want to do your entire boat. They supply a pad that is used to remove oxidation (synthetic steel wool) and then you can just apply some of the wax to seal the surface.
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

How long are you leaving anything on it?

Nothing will work immediately...you have to give it time to soften the glue. Try the WD-40 again...wait about 15 minutes, then see what happens when you scrub the spot with a plastic scrubber. I've never known it not to work.
 
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Jim Hague

Always works for me.

Stoddard solvent - otherwise known as White spirits - otherwise know as Mineral spirits - otherwise know as Petroleum distillate - otherwise know as Paint thinner.
 
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Andy Jones

Goo Gone, not acetone

Goo Gone works like a charm. Let it soak the area first, then use a plastic knife or something to scape the residue off. I would avoid acetone and only use it as a last resort. It etched and discolored the gel coat on an older one design boat that I own.
 
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Jim

Duct tape, I bet

If you used Duct Tape, then you have a little work ahead. It is a real problem if left on for only a couple of weeks. I scraped mine off when it dried.
 
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Rich Stidger

3M Adhesive Remover

This 3M product is about $8 for a quart and seems to work well on duct tape. I use it every year. BTW, a trick I learned from my boat yard is to wrap the tape sticky-side up for the first wraps and then finish the last wrap with the sticky-side down. This way the tape is tight and holds, but the sticky stuff doesn't get on what you are taping. This is particularly good for taping standing rigging to the mast for storage.
 
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Tim McCarty

Let me clarify...

When using acetone on gel-coat, one has to be very carefull, as, it CAN weaken the integrity of the gelcoat over time. I was referring to simply putting some acetone on a rag, and rubbing the stain vigorously. I've used it for exactly this application and it works great with a little elbo grease. I would not suggest soaking any portion of the stain with acetone for any period of time though.
 
Sep 25, 1999
600
Hunter 23.5 Indian Lake
sticky stuff removal

All of the prev posts are good ones, I have had good luck with anti bond , from west marine, it is pricey , but works, good luck Mike Bacome
 
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