How to remove adhesive tape glue. Tricks to remove it in the best way possible
How to remove adhesive tape glue? This is a question some people can become quite concerned about.
For example, we have once spoken to a person who had used paper professional adhesive tape while repainting the interior of a camper, marking with tape all the sections which should not be painted.
However, that same person had absentmindedly forgotten to remove the adhesive tape immediately after painting, leaving it on for months, for the duration of the winter storage of the vehicle.
The result was having to deal with double-sided adhesive tape which that same person defined as “crystallized”: the tape could be removed, with difficulty and in pieces, but much of the glue remained in fact stubbornly attached to the camper’s walls.
How can you remove adhesive tape glue avoiding any damage to the camper’s walls? And this is just one of the many situations where you may encounter issues removing adhesive tape glue from a plastic, glass, or metal surface, from shop windows to car bumpers.
Today, then, we will have a look at how to clean adhesive tape glue, even the most stubborn and “old” kind, without fear of ruining the surface below. Enjoy reading!
What is adhesive tape made of?
To understand how to clean adhesive tape glue and to understand why it is possible that, when removing the tape, the glue can remain stuck on the support, it is good to have a look at what tape itself is made of.
Even the simplest and cheapest double-sided tape is in fact made of 4 different layers. One is the actual tape, which can be made of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene, known as PP, or simply paper. This layer can possibly accommodate lettering and drawings as well, in the case of custom adhesive tape.
The top layer, normally, is covered by a very thin transparent film, which is needed to prevent, once the tape is rolled and ready for sale, the various layers of adhesive tape from sticking to one other.
On the other hand, there is a thin intermediate layer between the double-sided adhesive tape and the adhesive part, which ensures that these parts remain well attached together, as much as possible. Finally, there is the actual adhesive layer, typically made of a natural rubber-based product.
Many people find themselves having to figure out how to clean the adhesive tape glue because, very often, after a certain time period, the intermediate layer between the tape and the adhesive loses power, so it allows for the separation between the two layers. The top of the tape will then peel off quite easily, leaving glue residue on the support.
That is why you need to figure out how to remove adhesive tape glue!
How to remove adhesive tape glue: soft it first
The first step to remove adhesive tape glue is to soften it, i.e., to make it less resistant, and therefore more compliant. To achieve this there are several possible techniques, which you should choose depending on the available tools and the type of support you need to clean.
One technique that can be put into practice, on any support, focusing on heat. Get a regular hair dryer, set the air flow at the maximum temperature, and you’ll be able to make the glue less resistant by heating it.
However, methods involving glue softening through the application of specific substances are more effective. If you have solvents on hand and are dealing with supports which have no issue with these substances, you’ll be able to dab the industrial double-sided adhesive tape glue with these liquids. Acetone, ethyl alcohol, or paint thinner may work.
Not everyone has this type of ingredients on hand, and certain plastics can not withstand contact with professional solvent. In these cases, it is best arm yourself with patience and opt for much more home-brewed DIY remedies.
It is possible, for example, to dab the adhesive tape glue with some simple vinegar, or with a solution made with vinegar and lemon juice. Some drops of vegetable oil, such as olive oil or seed oil, can also help clean the adhesive tape glue.
With these methods it is possible to soften industrial double-sided adhesive glue, to facilitate the elimination in a concrete way. How can you get the job done?
How to remove adhesive tape glue
To clean the adhesive tape glue you should, at this point, proceed to “scratch” it away. Instead of using your nails, to proceed in a clean, effective, and quick way, you can use a plastic scraper, such as the ones used in winter to remove ice from car windshields.
You can also scrape off adhesive tape glue using the edge of an old plastic card, or, for the most stubborn glues, a razor blade held at an angle against the surface (to avoid scratching it), being very careful not to cut yourself!
