What's a quick and easy way to...

Jan 22, 2008
12
Hunter 35.5 New Bern
3M Super Duty Rubbing compound and a variable speed buffer, same as I use on my hull every haul out, it will remove it and make it shine at the same time. If the adhesive is persistent, apply vegetable cooking oil or goof off.
I have also had good luck removing painted on names with oven cleaner, 5 minutes and done.
 
Jan 19, 2010
1,368
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
Use a heat gun on low in conjunction with a razor blade scraper. Then go to a flooring specialty shop and get a can of adhesive solvent to release any left over sticky. Goo away may work but adhesive remover is king.
 

BruceC

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Oct 6, 2008
37
Oday 26 So. Orleans
If the hull has been left outside unprotected for a number of years, the blue 3M painter's tape should be somewhat degraded simply by exposure to elements. After a number of weeks, leaving tape on boat longer will not serve to make it any more difficult to remove. Goo Gone or Goff Off will not cut through the tape itself (which is the primary problem) nor will WD-40. As recommended, heat ( gun on low setting) or hair dryer plus stiff plastic scraper then one or above to remove adhesive residue. You may want to consult expert as to which chemical to use considering the Imron paint surface; no problem on gelcoat only.
 
Sep 11, 2013
250
Catalina 25 6106 Lake Erie Metro Park
I've been applying Goof Off with a small paint brush and then almost immediately attacking with a plastic scraper. The blue paper comes right off, the left over adhesive does require another application of Goof Off on a paper towel and yes, the paper towel requires frequent changing, other wise, you do just push the old adhesive around. I tried a scotch brite pad but it clogged quickly and scratched the paint as well.
WD 40 and PB blaster just ran down the hull, all over the soda blasted areas and didn't work nearly as fast as the Goof Off. So far I've done about 10 feet this morning... until the rain started...
The "big rubber eraser" intrigues me. I'm incredibly lazy and anytime I can use a power tool instead of muscle power (especially when it's my own) I'm in. The only problem with power tools is that there's no electricity where I'm working on the boat. That would mean hauling over the generator (which makes a god-awful racket) and possibly irritating the nice people who let me store my boat(s) and RV for next to nothing.

Thanx for all the suggestions but for now I'm going to stick with Goof Off...

Tom G
 
Aug 15, 2012
301
Precision 21 Newburyport MA
Check youtube. Now it is safe for gel coat and automotive paints. Not sure if would do anything to the Imron paint. I would test in a inconspicuous place before attacking the rest of the hull. I haven't used it but those who did, have found it useful.

(sorry I can't seem to link the video, just check youtube for 3m stripe off wheel)

Also, others comments, see Manesails about halfway down
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/removing-shear-stripes-tape-not-paint.125633/

Its on my list of things to get when I restripe the hull.
 
Apr 21, 2009
8
O'Day 37 CC Windsor Lake St Clair
Hi,
I would just keep a moist coat of a product called Goo Gone applied. You can spread with fingers. After it softens (a few hours, overnight) wipe off. It won't damage paint. It is made specifically to remove tape goo.
 
Oct 7, 2008
380
Oday Oday 35 Chesapeake Bay
Have you tried just plain soap and water? I had several areas that I missed that stayed on longer than expected. It came right off with soap and water.
 
Feb 15, 2015
22
Venture 25 Memphis, TN
I don'the have any great ideas, just thought maybe instead of wearing out youth thumb nail, maybe a plastic putty knife instead? I also saw someone else mention the plastic razor blades. I think 3M makes them. Might be worth a try.
 
Aug 20, 2005
5
Hunter 426 AC North Palm Beach
...remove masking tape that was left on the hull for years? It's the blue stuff... The PO left it on the hull after having the bottom soda blasted. It's right at the boot stripe, over the existing Imron paint that's in really nice shape. I can scrape it with my thumbnail but need a faster, better method than that. Goof Off? I don't want to contaminate the soda blasted gel coat (what's left of it...) with stripper or anything that will leave a residue or damage the paint.

Thanx,

Tom G
Spray the tape with WD40 then cover the tape with a paper towel and spray it again. Let it sit for about one hour and attempt to remove. If that does not work use concentrated orange cleaner, but be aware do not let the concentrate sit for more that a few minutes or it will damage the finish. Let it sit no more than 3 minutes.
 
Jul 1, 2013
14
Hunter Hunter 456 Passage greece/crotia
First try soaking it in simple CocaCola, wet a rag with the Coke and layit over the tape for as long as the rag is wet.
If this doesn't help try 1/3 acetone, 2/3 dish soap (Palmolive), try it first on a headwn place to be sure of the results.
 
Feb 16, 2016
5
Beneteau First 27.7 Istanbul
I had the same problem. The best way i found was to brush acetone on the tape. wait for 5- 10 min and use plastic blade. Quite often i could peel off as well. After all clean wax the area to seal the fiberglass.
 
Sep 13, 2014
13
Oday 26 Lake Palestine
Skin so Soft by Avon has removed any and all fresh and extremely aged glue. It is also an excellent mosquito repellant. Just put a dab on your fingers and rub into the tape, sticker or whatever. Also put a little on an edge you want to begin working on. Massage the edge and soon you will begin to make progress. Will leave you fingers soft and supple as well. :)