Cleaning Gaffer Tape Off Polypropylene

[Mark-1]

I've got the remnants of gaffer tape on polypropylene.

Is there a solvent that will get rid of the Gaffer tape/glue/stickiness without attacking the polypropylene?

 

[Old Harry]

white spirit

 

[Seashoreman]

https://www.bing.com/search?q=stick...e66ec435eff46b8536b7502ff&cc=GB&setlang=en-GB

 

[scrambledegg]

I can also vouch for white spirit.
No idea if it has any effect on polypropylene, trial it first.

 

[Mark-1]

I can also vouch for white spirit.
No idea if it has any effect on polypropylene, trial it first.

Google says white spirit mildly attacks polypropylene. Mind you, if I *really* scrub it with an scourer and some washing up liquid that will also mark it so might be better to use white spirit sparingly.

 

[colind3782]

I've had success with lighter fluid before. Not sure about polypropylene though.

 

[BabaYaga]

Depending on type of surface and affected area, you might first try to 'lift' the glue with some fresh gaffer tape.

 

[Giblets]

How about isopropanol ? If I had some polypropylene handy I could test it.

Or you could have a look https://www.calpaclab.com/polypropylene-chemical-compatibility-chart/ and take your choice.

 

[Seajet]

Try car de-icer; on a small unimportant bit first but I've had success with this.

 

[northwind]

Sticky stuff remover.. as pointed out in post 3 above.

 

[Mark-1]

Sticky stuff remover.. as pointed out in post 3 above.

It came back with so many hits I couldn't work out what the active ingredient was. At least one of the products in the hits *does* attack Polypropylene. ...but yeah, if someone can tell me what's in it it could be perfect.

 

[steve1963]

Polypropylene is resistant to most organic solvents. Try WD40. It's pretty good at removing glue residue

 

[VicS]

It came back with so many hits I couldn't work out what the active ingredient was. At least one of the products in the hits *does* attack Polypropylene. ...but yeah, if someone can tell me what's in it it could be perfect.

The safety data sheet will provide some info https://www.homecareessentials.co.uk/media/datasheets/Sticky Stuff Remover liquid_Data_Sheet.pdf

I can recommend Sticky stuff remover ... I would not be witout a bottle on the shelf .... Nobody should be without.... Shame on you that you dont already have some

 

[Mark-1]

The safety data sheet will provide some info https://www.homecareessentials.co.uk/media/datasheets/Sticky Stuff Remover liquid_Data_Sheet.pdf

Thanks that's useful. Glycol Ether won't hurt it. Aliphatic Hydrocarbon might.

 

[Mark-1]

Polypropylene is resistant to most organic solvents. Try WD40. It's pretty good at removing glue residue

Thanks, Google suggests Polypropylene is totally immune to WD-40. Will give that a go.

 

[Mark-1]

6.2 Resistance to Chemicals

Dilute Acid Very Good
Dilute Alkalis Very Good
Oils and Greases Moderate (Variable)
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Poor
Aromatic Hydrocarbons Poor
Halogenated Hydrocarbons Poor
Alcohols Very Good

Found this:
https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/pp.aspx

..and this:

https://www.calpaclab.com/polypropylene-chemical-compatibility-chart/

Looks like meths will be fine too.

and this:

https://cdn.wd40company.eu/wd-40/en-GB/uploads/2018/02/08134645/Multi-Use-Product-Aerosol.pdf

Conclusion

Meths won't hurt the polypropylene, but won't touch the tape either.

So WD40 FTW. Won't harm the polypropylene will dissolve the tape. Thanks steve1963.

 

[VicS]

Thanks that's useful. Glycol Ether won't hurt it. Aliphatic Hydrocarbon might.

Thanks, Google suggests Polypropylene is totally immune to WD-40. Will give that a go.

Found this:
https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/pp.aspx

..and this:

https://www.calpaclab.com/polypropylene-chemical-compatibility-chart/

Looks like meths will be fine too.

and this:

https://cdn.wd40company.eu/wd-40/en-GB/uploads/2018/02/08134645/Multi-Use-Product-Aerosol.pdf

Conclusion

Meths won't hurt the polypropylene, but won't touch the tape either.

So WD40 FTW. Won't harm the polypropylene will dissolve the tape. Thanks steve1963.

The tables and charts you have been looking at are based on medium to long term exposures.

None of the substances mentioned in this thread will have any noticeable effect on polypropylene in a few second or even minutes.

Try what you have to hand. meths, white spirit etc etc but next time you are in a hardware shop or a DIY store buy yourself a bottle of Sticky Stuff Remover

 

[PaulRainbow]

Automotive panel wipe is good stuff to have onboard. It's used for de-greasing paintwork prior to re-spraying and doesn't harm any of the plastics on cars, as far as i know. I've used it for many things on boats, removing masking tape and gaffer tape residue amongst them, including from acrylic panels when replacing the acrylic in hatches on my own boat.

 

[Mark-1]

None of the substances mentioned in this thread will have any noticeable effect on polypropylene in a few second or even minutes.
r

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind if the WD40 isn't very effective.

 

[Mark-1]

Thanks all did the job last night. WD40 dissolved the tape glue and didn't dissolve the polypropylene. Still took a little bit of elbow grease...

I've learned my lesson: Use gaffer tape wisely.