Gaffer tape residue

[sgr143]

I had leaky windows. To stop the rain getting in and making the saloon all soggy and musty, I gaffer-taped plastic sheet over them "for a few days" while I worked out what to do. It's now 8 weeks later...

I finally got down to the boat today armed with "Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure", and pulled off the tape and plastic. I knew it was going to be bad... but oh dearie me.

Does anyone have any bright ideas for / experience of removing the gunk left by gaffer tape without completely nadgering the gelcoat?

Steve

 

[Catalina36]

White spirit.

 

[greeny]

White spirit.


+1
If that fails then go the next stage, Cellulose thinners, then if that fails Acetone.
Don't scrape it off with stanley blade or chisel. Don't ask how I know.

 

[MikeCC]

Try WD-40

 

[Catalina36]

If that fails then go the next stage, Cellulose thinners, then if that fails Acetone.
Don't scrape it off with stanley blade or chisel. Don't ask how I know.

Watch out for acetone on plastic (acrylic) windows. Don't ask me how I know that either.

 

[sgr143]

Thanks! Will go armed with white spirit & thinners on the next visit. If it comes to acetone, I can probably scrounge some from the lab - I'm retired but my old research group might be kind to me. There's WD40 on board of course - but I didn't think of trying that (I did try washing up liquid and methanol, neither of which were any use).

I was thinking of using a Stanley blade in one of those "sideways "mounts used to get paint off windows. But now I won't!

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Acetone for sure, I don't worry about how long I leave gaffer tape on as it works no problems.

 

[MoodySabre]

Same happened to me. I tried everything with limited success for any one thing. Worst part of replacing the windows.

 

[Baddox]

Leave it alone and it will dry to dust in days once the foil tape is off it.

 

[greeny]

Leave it alone and it will dry to dust in days once the foil tape is off it.

Even better, try it, it may work. I suppose it will depend on the adhesive used on the gaffer tape. Not all gaffer tapes are equal though.

 

[colind3782]

WD40 or lighter fluid work well

 

[Ian_Rob]

Acetone for sure, I don't worry about how long I leave gaffer tape on as it works no problems.

Acetone certainly works but be careful. I always tape around the tops of my instrument covers to prevent water ingress over the winter and slightly damaged the bezel of my Raymarine ST60+ the season before last when trying to remove the residue.

 

[Charlie Boy]

IIRC WD-40 the active ingredient is almost white spirit, just 50x the price

 

[PaulRainbow]

Automotive panel wipe will remove many such things, including butyl sealants (handy if you're re-bedding windows). It does not attack acrylic, unlike acetone. In fact, i've yet to find any plastic type products that it does attack.

 

[steve1963]

I had leaky windows. To stop the rain getting in and making the saloon all soggy and musty, I gaffer-taped plastic sheet over them "for a few days" while I worked out what to do. It's now 8 weeks later...

I finally got down to the boat today armed with "Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure", and pulled off the tape and plastic. I knew it was going to be bad... but oh dearie me.

Does anyone have any bright ideas for / experience of removing the gunk left by gaffer tape without completely nadgering the gelcoat?

Steve

WD40 works quite well

 

[Iliade]

Try white spirit first if you have some. Also diesel if your gelcoat isn't porous.

Double glaziers use a specific product for cleaning up plastic window frames. Brilliant and pretty cheap. Something like this: Everbuild PVC1S PVCU Solvent Cleaner 1L: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Citrus oil based cleaner works well on most oil based stuff - No Nonsense Heavy Duty Degreaser 5Ltr

 

[BabaYaga]

I would first try and lift the residue with some new gaffer tape.

 

[sgr143]

Thanks everyone for the advice. One, at least, of the solutions offered must work! I'll be back again to the boat sometime next week - I'll report back then. Steve

 

[Giblets]

I found that Sticky Stuff Remover does an excellent job on all sticky residue.