help removing "doulbe sided tape" from interior panels

**tbomb** · 10-06-2003, 03:54 PM

guys, i`m new to the forums, here, but i`m not new to detailing (though, i`m certainly no professional.) now here`s my problem...

i have a ford explorer that i have a cargo liner for. the liner was very expensive, but i`m not happy with it anymore, so i`m taking it out. the problem is that it attaches to the "walls" (meaning the interior panels in the trunk area) via this "double sided tape" that was supplied with the liner. i think it`s some kind of super-out-of-this-world-bionic double sided tape. so far i`ve only tried to use rubbing alcohol to take it off the panels, but i got nowhere with that approach. i dont know what else to try. i should also note that in the summer when it`s hot out and the sun is coming down through the windows right onto the liner, it heated up the glue under the pieces of "tape" and they would slide around, but now that the daily temp ranges from 30-60 degrees fahrenheit, they`re not going anywhere. i suppose i could try a hair dryer, but i want to get some input from some people who know more about this than me.

any help would be appreciated, and i`d like to get this done on saturday this weekend.

TIA.

**imported_indy** · 10-06-2003, 04:09 PM

Go to your local variety store (wal-mart, fred meyer, etc.)

In the hardware section, usually around the paints, glues,

etc., you`ll find a product called `goof off`. It takes off the

sticky adhesives that are left over from tape, stickers, etc.

It will still take some elbow grease but it will remove it.

Try using the hair dryer to remove the major portion of

the stuff and use the Goof Off to remove the remaining

adhesive.

**tbomb** · 10-06-2003, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by indy

Go to your local variety store (wal-mart, fred meyer, etc.)

In the hardware section, usually around the paints, glues,

etc., you`ll find a product called `goof off`. It takes off the

sticky adhesives that are left over from tape, stickers, etc.

It will still take some elbow grease but it will remove it.

Try using the hair dryer to remove the major portion of

the stuff and use the Goof Off to remove the remaining

adhesive.

i`ve tried something close to that on projects before. the stuff i used before was called "goo gone" and it did a pretty good job of removing eveything and anything, but it tends to "dull" and "pale" the surface that you use it on, so you could see the area that it was used on. will "goof off" do that?

if it doesnt mess up the surface, then i`ll pick some up, and i`ll try the 3m adhesive remover, too. i`m willing to try anything (well, almost anything.)

thanks for the tips, and keep `em coming

**Detailing NY** · 10-06-2003, 07:13 PM

3m adhesive remover should work and should not stain the panels. you could also get some stoners xenit cleaner, that will take it off as well without staining.

becareful with some of that over the counter stuff as it can stain or like you said dull some plastics or materials.

what ever you do, do not use your finger nail to try and remove the glue like so many people do. It is easy to scratch the panel.

just let the product soak in and wipe down.

You may need to repeat this a few times but it will come off

**tbomb** · 10-06-2003, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by NY detailer

3m adhesive remover should work and should not stain the panels. you could also get some stoners xenit cleaner, that will take it off as well without staining.

becareful with some of that over the counter stuff as it can stain or like you said dull some plastics or materials.

what ever you do, do not use your finger nail to try and remove the glue like so many people do. It is easy to scratch the panel.

just let the product soak in and wipe down.

You may need to repeat this a few times but it will come off

excellent. now, where can i get the 3m adhesive remover? i`m new to the area i just moved to, so i dont know of any detailing shops, i just have the regular places...pep boys, walmart, home depot, etc.

thanks again, everyone.

**hogdust** · 10-06-2003, 08:13 PM

I recently remove the Vent shades from my rear window and used a product called Goo-Gone to get the double sided tape off. It does not do any damage to the paint.

**Detailing NY** · 10-06-2003, 09:53 PM

go to any local auto body supply store they will carry it.

**chris0626** · 10-06-2003, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by tbomb

excellent. now, where can i get the 3m adhesive remover? i`m new to the area i just moved to, so i dont know of any detailing shops, i just have the regular places...pep boys, walmart, home depot, etc.

It`s not really an exotic product. I even found 3M Adhesive, Tar & Wax Remover at my rural/dinky WalMart store.

**imported_indy** · 10-07-2003, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by tbomb

i`ve tried something close to that on projects before. the stuff i used before was called "goo gone" and it did a pretty good job of removing eveything and anything, but it tends to "dull" and "pale" the surface that you use it on, so you could see the area that it was used on. will "goof off" do that?

if it doesnt mess up the surface, then i`ll pick some up, and i`ll try the 3m adhesive remover, too. i`m willing to try anything (well, almost anything.)

Goof off is a different brand, but probably about the same

product as Goof Off, or even the 3M product. They`re all

solvents designed to disolve the adhesive glue. In doing

this it`s very hard to prevent some loss of oils from whatever

it`s applied to. If you`re using it on plastic this is especially

true and some good vinyl cleaner/conditioner should bring

the shine back up. On painted surfaces a little polish should

help get rid of any dulling by replenishing the oils.

Another solvent that I use alot is good `ole WD-40. It can

disolve that adhesive too. You`ll have to let it soak for a little

bit. If you want to help work it into the glue, try a plastic bristled

brush (like a stiff tooth brush) to work it in.

Yet another trick is to find some of that orange hand cleaner

that a lot of shops use. I think most auto parts stores have it.

The citrus oils in that stuff is a great solvent for things like gum,

stickers, tape, etc. Just glop it on and let soak for at least an

hour. Don`t rub it around though, as this stuff has some abrasive

material in it (pummice) and it will scratch. Just let it set on the

surface and wipe it off with a damp sponge.

Whatever you use, it`s going to be a project. If you can, I`d apply

whatever solvent you decide to use and go do something else for

an hour or so to let it do it`s work.

I bet you`ll never use that double sided tape again after this!:p

Good Luck.

**tbomb** · 10-07-2003, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by indy

Goof off is a different brand, but probably about the same

product as Goof Off, or even the 3M product. They`re all

solvents designed to disolve the adhesive glue. In doing

this it`s very hard to prevent some loss of oils from whatever

it`s applied to. If you`re using it on plastic this is especially

true and some good vinyl cleaner/conditioner should bring

the shine back up. On painted surfaces a little polish should

help get rid of any dulling by replenishing the oils.

Another solvent that I use alot is good `ole WD-40. It can

disolve that adhesive too. You`ll have to let it soak for a little

bit. If you want to help work it into the glue, try a plastic bristled

brush (like a stiff tooth brush) to work it in.

Yet another trick is to find some of that orange hand cleaner

that a lot of shops use. I think most auto parts stores have it.

The citrus oils in that stuff is a great solvent for things like gum,

stickers, tape, etc. Just glop it on and let soak for at least an

hour. Don`t rub it around though, as this stuff has some abrasive

material in it (pummice) and it will scratch. Just let it set on the

surface and wipe it off with a damp sponge.

Whatever you use, it`s going to be a project. If you can, I`d apply

whatever solvent you decide to use and go do something else for

an hour or so to let it do it`s work.

I bet you`ll never use that double sided tape again after this!:p

Good Luck.

wow, awesome tips everyone. looks like i have a few things to try this weekend

and, NO, i will NOT reinstall this liner using the tape they give you with it. it`s something different than regular double sided tape...it`s like "super strong" supposedly to keep it from falling off when it sits in the heat, though, it didnt work too well. i`m just annoyed with the liner in general. i keep my truck so clean, that i dont need it anyway. i only got it for snowboarding, so my gear doesnt mess up my trunk, but id rather just throw down an old blanket.

thanks again, and i`ll come back next week to post an update on how it went.

**PAW** · 10-07-2003, 03:30 PM

If you`ve the got time, ambishion and $, perhaps try each solution on a different section of tape. I bet you`ve got enough sticky tape. That way we`d which worked best.

**tbomb** · 10-07-2003, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by PAW

If you`ve the got time, ambishion and $, perhaps try each solution on a different section of tape. I bet you`ve got enough sticky tape. That way we`d which worked best.

theres plenty of the tape on there. today i picked up the 3m adhesive remover and the goof off. i`ll post the results next week.

**tbomb** · 10-12-2003, 03:16 PM

UPDATE:

i took care of the "glue" from the double sided tape last night. i had a can of the 3m adhesive remover and a can of goof off to try. i tried the 3m adhesive remover first (cuz i was scared that the goof off might ruin the finish on the plastic panels.) i sprayed it on, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then just wiped it off and it came of really easily. i didnt even have to try the goof off - just used the 3m stuff the whole time. only thing is that it took the "shine" off the finish of the panels, but its not too bad. if i took a pic of it, you guys wouldnt be able to see it - you`d only be able to see it in real life.

thanks again for all the help.