Remove old masking tape?

mogmog2

mogmog2

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My son applied masking tape to a friend's GRP boat, to apply woodskin to the brightwork. However, due to various factors, the tape was on longer than intended.
Has anyone got any tips for removing baked-on, partially woodskinned paper masking tape?
Many thanks.
 
pvb said:
Scrape as much off as possible, then try white spirit to remove the adhesive. And use the blue stuff next time!
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White spirit might damage the finish. A soak with warm soapy water might soften the residue, or it might something more solvent, WD40 or "label remover". Whatever you use, wash off when you've finished.
 
When my boat was in a shed, a neighbouring boat had this problem and asked my advice.
I suggested he tried petrol.
I meant a cloth dampened with petrol, but he got a bucket of petrol and a scrubbing brush.
"NO BODY SWITCH ANYTHING ON"
 
penberth3 said:
White spirit might damage the finish. A soak with warm soapy water might soften the residue, or it might something more solvent, WD40 or "label remover". Whatever you use, wash off when you've finished.
Click to expand...

WD40 is basically white spirit, with a bit of oil added.
 
If it's not ages old (i.e. weeks or months) a hair dryer or hot air gun can sometimes soften it enough to get rid of the worst, after which white spirit. Haven't had to do it for many years though so the adhesive may have changed these days.
 
Many of the solvents for the glue also dissolve some paints.

If you use solvent a cloth wrapped round the edge of a scraper dipped in solvent allows a bit of control.

Its a thankless task however you do it - the masking tape is to make it easy, leaving it on doubles (at least) the work.

Easy in hindsight, remove as soon as possible the same day you apply paint - even if you then might need to apply a second lot of masking tape - in case the schedule fall apart

Good luck

Jonathan
 
It's weeks rather than months. Most of it's off, about 15% left. I warned him. Repeatedly.

I was concerned about the gel coat - I believe the lower orders of solvents are ok on it.

Jonhnalison, I wouldn't have done it, I would have got on with it. However, at 18 , one had a different perspective... how did you get it off? Just slogging scraping?
 
i used paint brush cleaner on my boat for months old sealant/tape, and wiped after with baby wipes gelcoat seems fine still. Car rubbing compount also works for tape glue with a brillow pad
 
Do not use Brillo pad as it leaves bits of steel wire in paint /gel coat which then rusts and impossible to sort out
 
The blue masking tape is better, but don't let it get wet whilst on the boat as the glue stays on the boat just like the cheap stuff.

(or I might have just bought some cheap stuff that was blue?) :ambivalence:
 
Habebty said:
The blue masking tape is better, but don't let it get wet whilst on the boat as the glue stays on the boat just like the cheap stuff.

(or I might have just bought some cheap stuff that was blue?) :ambivalence:
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I think you got some cheap stuff, I used the blue tape in wet weather and never had a problem removing even after 15days. However many years ago I had the same problem with cheap tape, I found that the glue came off "naturally" in salt water after a few weeks, but that was on the waterline.
 
dragonvc said:
Do not use Brillo pad as it leaves bits of steel wire in paint /gel coat which then rusts and impossible to sort out
Click to expand...

I know this too and thought I'd never be so silly again and then this year I decide to hacksaw to shorten 6 bolts before fitting them and instead of getting of the boat and doing them in the yard, I thought I'd use a clamp on the cockpit table.
 
The sticking ability of masking tape should never be underestimated, a few years ago I missed a couple of short lengths after anti fouling, these two lengths survived a whole season including a sail from Wales to Northern Spain via Kinsale, they were still a right bugger to remove when we lifted the boat out at the end of the season. Finally got rid of the ‘sticky’ with Goo Gone.
 
hi, I've done this myself, left the masking tape on for a few weeks, nightmare! However, like grump_o_g I found that a small hair dryer to heat it up was excellent. I was able to quite easily remove the tape whilst it was warm, however, it did leave a sticky residue which cleaned off quite easily with a product called "sticky stuff remover". I think I got it online but maybe a hardware store might stock it. In the end it was really no problem, I don't think that I'll be doing that again but I have used the same method on painted wooden window frames. Usual caution, try a bit on an inconspicuous area first.
 
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