How Do I Remove Aged/Dried Duct Tape?

CADplans · Jan 29, 2017

The PO of my tractor thought duct tape would be a good fuse panel cover,,, :confused2: NOT!!

Now, I need to try to figure out how to remove the tape.
The tape is pretty dried,,, GooGone did not touch it,,,

I have PB Blaster on it right now,,,
Any other ideas?

DuckSlayer1017 · Jan 29, 2017

Acetone, razor blade, putty knife...

Industrial Toys · Jan 29, 2017

I just HATE when people use tape!

I might try varsol first before something aggressive like laquor thinner or acetone.

Or maybe a citrus based formula like goo gone. They are actually quite effective.

CADplans · Jan 29, 2017

Yea, I did the GooGone,, 4 days worth,,
now 4 days of penetrating oil,,
I did "Google", no one seems to have a "magic bullet" for this stuff,,,

Stuff like acetone would probably destroy the decal?

TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark · Jan 29, 2017

Heat gun.

PILOON · Jan 29, 2017

Did U try WD 40?

s219 · Jan 29, 2017

I'd try mineral spirits, and get a plastic scraper. It allowed me to get off some very stubborn sticker residue a few weeks ago. Not sure if it will work on your duct tape though.

CADplans · Jan 29, 2017

TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark said:
Heat gun.

I have one,, I think the decal would go,, too,,

PILOON said:
Did U try WD 40?

I did not have that,, but, I have it soaking in PB Blaster.

RNeumann · Jan 29, 2017

CADplans said:
Yea, I did the GooGone,, 4 days worth,,
now 4 days of penetrating oil,,
I did "Google", no one seems to have a "magic bullet" for this stuff,,,

Stuff like acetone would probably destroy the decal?

Lighter fluid (no fire!) is a little better or stronger than GooGone and not as harsh as acetone. Most of the time you will need to get it wet and then scrape it into the glue etc so the fluid soaks in.

CADplans · Jan 29, 2017

s219 said:
I'd try mineral spirits, and get a plastic scraper. It allowed me to get off some very stubborn sticker residue a few weeks ago. Not sure if it will work on your duct tape though.

I do have the plastic scraper,, I will have to find it!! :thumbsup:

Industrial Toys · Jan 29, 2017

Many of the milder things would work if you let it soak in. But it might also soak into the adhesive of your decal.

Another product is contact cement solvent or remover.

prichard · Jan 29, 2017

RNeumann said:
Lighter fluid (no fire!) is a little better or stronger than GooGone and not as harsh as acetone. Most of the time you will need to get it wet and then scrape it into the glue etc so the fluid soaks in.

Agreed, zippo fluid is what a book collector I knew used. No damage to the dust jacket but stickers would come right off. I've been using for years since I saw him use it.

CADplans · Jan 29, 2017

RNeumann said:
Lighter fluid (no fire!) is a little better or stronger than GooGone and not as harsh as acetone. Most of the time you will need to get it wet and then scrape it into the glue etc so the fluid soaks in.

prichard said:
Agreed, zippo fluid is what a book collector I knew used. No damage to the dust jacket but stickers would come right off. I've been using for years since I saw him use it.

I got some lighter fluid,, I will try that,,, at least, it will remove the PB Blaster!! :laughing:

hslogger · Jan 29, 2017

I have had real good luck with "Goof Off" and waterless hand cleaner like Gojo. soaking, soaking soaking.
I gotta say this looks like a tough one to tackle but you WILL get that crud off sooner or later.

Dougryan · Jan 30, 2017

I've used a product called Goof-Off to remove materials like duct tape... Ok, nothing is like Duct Tape, got it... but Goof Off has worked well for me on any kind of sticker/tape residue. I also recommend, as others have, using a plastic scraper. Takes a few soak-scrape cycles then wipe it all down with some Windex.

oosik · Jan 30, 2017

I've always used lacquer thinner, putty knife and a GOOD pair of rubber gloves. Lacquer thinner is carcinogenic - use with care. In your case - try a heat gun and putty knife.

Jim Nelson · Jan 30, 2017

There used to be a citrus product product named Desolvit that worked real well.It was in grocery stores, not sure if it is still available but it's the best I've ever seen and it will not harm that decal or paint etc.