Removing Masking Tape

[Jabs]

Due to a rather unfortunate oversight, I have some masking tape stuck onto the top of my tiller. It has been there through heavy rain and now seems impossible to remove.

I have tried commercial label remover to no avail.

Has anyone solved the issue?

The tiller is freshly and beautifully varnished, hence the sensitive approach would be preferred!

Thanks

Tony.

 

[SimbaDog]

Try soaking it in WD40 & leaving for 10 minutes

 

[sailorman]

Due to a rather unfortunate oversight, I have some masking tape stuck onto the top of my tiller. It has been there through heavy rain and now seems impossible to remove.

I have tried commercial label remover to no avail.

Has anyone solved the issue?

The tiller is freshly and beautifully varnished, hence the sensitive approach would be preferred!

Thanks

Tony.

white spirit perhaps
i now only ever use the blue masking tape, its stronger & can be left on a few days & is easy to remove

 

[ianj99]

Due to a rather unfortunate oversight, I have some masking tape stuck onto the top of my tiller. It has been there through heavy rain and now seems impossible to remove.

I have tried commercial label remover to no avail.

Has anyone solved the issue?

The tiller is freshly and beautifully varnished, hence the sensitive approach would be preferred!

Thanks

Tony.

I've never understood why masking tape becomes more 'permanent' when left a few days, than tapes you actually want to be permanent!

Sorry can't help - I had the same problem and tried label remover, WD40, etc and still had to remove it mechanically. Even when the paper was removed, the adhesive seemed impervious to all known solvents!!

 

[prv]

Even when the paper was removed, the adhesive seemed impervious to all known solvents!!

I bet acetone would take it off, but I wouldn't like to speculate on what it would do to the varnish.

Pete

 

[KREW2]

Acetone is what car sprayers use, and will certainly remove it. The varnish can be touched up.

 

[parbuckle]

Try steaming off ,works on envelopes but not sure if it will soften varnish.

 

[Jabs]

Thanks! I have also been told to try Panel Wipe otherwise know as thinners.

I am reluctant to totally mess up the finish because it is 'furniture quality'.

Yes, amazing how the adhesive stays!

I did use blue on the boot top but found it broke in cold weather, hence using the old brown stuff.

Tony.

 

[parbuckle]

I know a car sprayer who uses boiling water as a last resort,it sounds a bit daft but you could mask up the masking tape to protect the varnish but I would try everything else before attempting this.Try soaking a cloth in very hot water and carefully dabbing the tape this may soften the surface .

 

[Jabs]

Heat gun?

Very carefully, maybe?

Tony.

 

[savageseadog]

White spirit

Thinners

If all else fails:

One of those little steam guns

 

[parbuckle]

Heat gun?

Very carefully, maybe?

Tony.

Sounds too drastic..I use a heat gun to remove paint so your varnish wont like it.

 

[alteredoutlook]

try lighter fuel

Have you tried petrol or better still lighter fuel?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

You have to remove two things.

The first is paper, and a long soak in hot water followed by rubbing should sort that.

The second is the glue. For that you will need some sort of solvent. Lots of suggestions above. Try a test on the underside of the tiller first but I would try white spirit first, then lighter fluid.

 

[Richardsix]

Right oh, I will stand by for all the comments my suggestion will get, I will say one thing, dont knock it till you have tried it, here goes!

Once the paper is removed, any sticky left behind can be removed by spreading Peanut butter on it, leave for around 12 hours and then wipe clean, this works with all sticky residues.

Now awiting all the comments, but beleive me it works.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Right oh, I will stand by for all the comments my suggestion will get, I will say one thing, dont knock it till you have tried it, here goes!

Once the paper is removed, any sticky left behind can be removed by spreading Peanut butter on it, leave for around 12 hours and then wipe clean, this works with all sticky residues.

Now awiting all the comments, but beleive me it works.

I tried that once on a girl I knew.
Didnt stick around to find out the result.

 

[chinita]

Once the paper is removed, any sticky left behind can be removed by spreading Peanut butter on it, leave for around 12 hours and then wipe clean, this works with all sticky residues.

Smooth or Crunchy? KP or any brand?

 

[DanTribe]

Have you tried petrol or better still lighter fuel?

I've used petrol, that works well.
I recommended petrol to my neighbouring boatowner, but I meant a few drops on a rag. He used a bucket and scrubbing brush

Quickly switched of my sander and ran away.

 

[wooslehunter]

Petrol works. In fact the most expensive petrol (or something very similar) you will ever find is in small bottles in the hardware store sold as sticky stuff remover. It may have some "smell enhancer" added though.

DeSolvIt uPVC cleaner from Screwfix works wel. I did the same a while ago when I masked up the deck & left overnight. It rained. I did get most of the tape off but that left a horrible sticky goo behind.

To get the tape off, just soak in water & it will come off leaving sticky glue. Then spray on the desolvit & leave for a few minutes. Scrape off the goo which will have expanded & clean with more desolvit & a rag.

 

[ChiPete]

I left the masking tape on the boot line for a week when I put the first coat of anti foul on - the adhesive definitely migrates into something stronger than superglue! Never again!

I ended up using 3m 06044 Marine Imperial rubbing compound and a micro fibre cloth. It was highly effective and didn't affect the gel coat.