Removing sticky tape residue?

And no, NOT from a cat! I have been helping a friend decorate and foolishly, because we had no paper masking tape, we used double-sided sticky tape on the windows when we painted the frames. And now we are left with a horrible mess that won't come off. We have tried hot water, detergent, white spirit, and acetone. I am beginning to think scratching it off is going to be the only way, but even that is incredibly difficult. I am scared of scratching or breaking the glass panes, which are old and very thin. Does anyone have any ideas for a solvent?

Originally Posted by jennyranson

And no, NOT from a cat! I have been helping a friend decorate and foolishly, because we had no paper masking tape, we used double-sided sticky tape on the windows when we painted the frames. And now we are left with a horrible mess that won't come off. We have tried hot water, detergent, white spirit, and acetone. I am beginning to think scratching it off is going to be the only way, but even that is incredibly difficult. I am scared of scratching or breaking the glass panes, which are old and very thin. Does anyone have any ideas for a solvent?

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We use adhesive remover at work to take tape off of skin. I'm sure it must be available in some drug stores. Unfortunately, I've never seen any when I thought to look. It smell kind of like acetone, but it's also oily. You might try some vegetable oil, or maybe oil and acetone mixed together. Once the tape is off you can remove the oil with hot soapy water.

Sorry to hear this. For sticky messes I always turn to Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 6 by Dumond Chemicals. Here's a link about it, in PDF format. It looks and feels like light gray peanut butter. Then I remove everything with paper towels --I make sure the paper towels are wet with Goo Gone.

Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] also comes in Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 7, Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 5, Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 1, etc. but I have no experience with those. Only Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 6.

Speaking of peanut butter, that's also an idea but I'm not sure how well it would work.

When the Peel AwayÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] 6 system is optimized/properly used, scraping becomes rather easy. I realize glass can be easily scratched, but a light scoring is often helpful (but not always necessary). But, ughhhh to glass. If you have an Xacto knife, it can aid you. But glass makes scoring a risk no matter what so score only as a last resort and with a soft hand. Perhaps you can start to moisten the areas with Goo Gone, then score lightly, then add the paste and see what happens.

Hmm, never thought of peanut butter!
What I always use for sticky messes is 99% Isopropanol alcohol or Goo Gone.
I'm thinking you will have to do some scraping on those panes though.

I second Goo Gone. It always works wonders for me and its pretty cheap! For tough spots, I like to squirt it on and let it set for a couple of minutes, then come back with a rag or paper towel and get it off. Be sure to try some in a non-noticeable area first though to make sure it doesn't cause damage to whatever you are trying to clean.

I'm not sure if these products are available in France.
I've used vegetable oil before it can work esp on tape. Have a razor blade handy to scrape off the residue. Otherwise a well stocked paint store should have some sort of adhesive remover. Here in the states we have painters tape specially for these situations.

I always use peanut butter to get the sticky stuff off - it works great! If the tape is really stuck, use a hair dryer to soften it and peel it off, then bring out the peanut butter for the residue.

I've used Goo Gone too, but it can take a while. I soak a cotton ball and dab it on the adhesive. If it's on windows, you can use a single edge razor blade to scrape it off easily once it's partially dissolved.

Good old furniture polish!. I found this tip in a magazine years ago and it works a charm. Just spray, leave for 20 seconds or so, then wipe with a soft dry cloth, repeat if necessary.

Furniture polish works on squeeky door hinges as well!

I've always used Goo Gone.

Thanks guys for the hints. I feel so stupid over this, I should have waited till I could get tot he shops to buy some proper paper masking tape, but you know how it is, we were wanting to start, and I never dreamed the sticky stuff would not peel off with the tape.

I have never heard of Goo gone - but I will ask in a decorating store. Not sure if I can get peanut butter here either, but I am going to the UK this weekend so I can get some there. We tried softening it with hot water but it didn't really work. We have scraped a bit off with a Stanley knife, but it took for ever and can so easily scratch the glass.

Susan - furniture polish? I will certainly try that. I would never have thought of it.

I'll let you all know what works.

I know that xylene works really well, and you only need a small amount....but I dont know if you can "get" xylene - its always been around in the labs I have worked in, but is quite toxic - so Im 100% not recommending (i just know it would work).
But wow - duct tape residue from tape that had been in place for a long time came right off when dampened with xylene...

Another thing you could try is Eucalyptus oil. Not sure if it is available over there - but I always use it for getting 'sticky' off anything.

It does have a strong odour though - but works everytime.

Rubbing alcohol or WD-40 work great.

Wow! Keep the suggestions coming. I can get eucalyptus oil and WD40 so I will give those a try. I think I'll keep off the xylene - don't know where I would get it, anyway.

I'm going with Goo Gone too. I use it fairly often. I like to wipe down the area afterwards with a wet cloth and then pat it dry to make sure there is none of the Goo Gone solvent left.

It works very well.

Not sure if I can get peanut butter here either,

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Yet another reason I would go insane living in France. Just added that to my list.

You guys serve raw, thinly sliced beef, but no peanut butter?...... to each his own. I'd opt for the peanut butter every time though. Maybe with some bacon, or jelly, or celery, or just straight out of the jar with a spoon (for the record, I've never done that )

I went ahead and sent the folks at Magic American (a subsidiary of Homax and the company that makes Goo Gone) regarding where you might be able to find Goo Gone in your neck of the woods, or world rather. I'll post their response. They won't be open for an hour or two as they're in Washington State.

Originally Posted by fisheater

I second Goo Gone. It always works wonders for me and its pretty cheap! For tough spots, I like to squirt it on and let it set for a couple of minutes, then come back with a rag or paper towel and get it off. Be sure to try some in a non-noticeable area first though to make sure it doesn't cause damage to whatever you are trying to clean.

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Me too. Great product and smells like oranges.

Here is the response from the international representative for the makers of Goo Gone (my email to the manufacturer was forwarded to Dorian Drake International Inc., the above mentioned company.

To obtain Goo Gone in the area of Normandy/northern France, contact:

Frederic Ljung
Moderne Method
Z I du Sauvoy
5, rue de la Bizière
Saint Soupplets, 77165
[email protected]
Work: +33 (1) 6436 1526

That is the local distributor in your area.

Good luck.

I love Goo Gone! I found a batch recently at the dollar store (for, yes, a dollar)! I should have bought out their supply.