Removing 3M Automotive tape?

[ambenz]

I got a crack in my fiberglass spoiler on my Mustang and had to remove it.
Now that I have it off, the 3M tape is a pain to remove without damaging the paint.
Here's what I got...

The crack...

The whole spoiler....

The stop crack fix...

The new issue...dang 3M tape is strong!

I am using this stuff, it's not suppose to damage the paint but it's not working that great.
What do you do to remove 3M tape?

Any help on removing this tape will be appreciated!
The spoiler will soon be off to the body shop for repair and paint.

 

[TerryH]

3m among others makes stripe and tape removal wheels. That will be by far the easiest way to get it off. The wheels won't damage the paint but will take the attachment tape of clean. I'll link to one on Amazon but you can get one locally at most any auto parts store.

3m Removal Wheel on Amazon

 

[OutLore]

3m among others makes stripe and tape removal wheels. That will be by far the easiest way to get it off. The wheels won't damage the paint but will take the attachment tape of clean. I'll link to one on Amazon but you can get one locally at most any auto parts store.

3m Removal Wheel on Amazon

Looking at the pic - is the stripe paint, or a decal? If it's a decal then the tape removal wheel will probably strip that as well, unless you're extremely careful/lucky with it.

 

[ambenz]

Kind of like a buffing wheel?
Those stripes are painted on underneath the clear coat.

 

[TerryH]

Looking at the pic - is the stripe paint, or a decal? If it's a decal then the tape removal wheel will probably strip that as well, unless you're extremely careful/lucky with it.

This is absolutely correct. Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. If the stripes are decals then you'll just have to work it off with you thumb and then wash the mess left over with wax and grease remover or other mild solvent until it's all gone.

 

[j-guenth]

Go to a sign shop and get some of their adhesive remove. There are couple of types, one with a petroleum base and another with a citrus base. Good Luck!

 

[TerryH]

Kind of like a buffing wheel?
Those stripes are painted on underneath the clear coat.

Sort of. Goes in a drill. Some are several thin rubber type wafers on an arbor. Some are a more solid rubber like material. They all look like they would tear the heck out of the paint but won't. The wheels will remove the tape very easily but leave the paint undamaged. Body shops use them every day for exactly what you are trying to do.

 

[Stuart in MN]

3M also makes a trim adhesive remover, it's a liquid that comes in a pint or quart can and it works pretty well. You can find it at most auto parts stores.

 

[metaleltr]

Eraser wheel http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00488DDB8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Adhesive remover http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HQ74O2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[metaleltr]

3M also makes a trim adhesive remover, it's a liquid that comes in a pint or quart can and it works pretty well. You can find it at most auto parts stores.

Depending what state you are in that version may no longer be able to be sold due to VOC regulations, if that is the case the white can in my previous post is VOC compliant and works well.

 

[JakeKohl]

I don't think he's asking about removing the stripe...think he's talking about the gummy adhesive that padded the bolt/car joint.

I would try the citrus based goo-gone and soak it for a good while (30 minutes or better). It will take a while to work it's way into that tape joint.

If you are talking about striping, I've got a graphics shop and have never been able to get the 3M graphic buffer wheels to work very well...I'm sure they work on fresh vinyl pretty well - but not on the older stuff that's starting to get a little crusty (i.e., when you are most likely to want to remove it).

 

[rohartman]

RAPID REMOVER Adhesive remover, best stuff ever, I use it all the time for that kind of stuff.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120630373508?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[OldNeons]

The red and white quart can of 3m adhesive remover is your best bet. Be patient, let it soak and work with it. You'll get it but it will take a whole.

 

[Justin C]

We use the eraser disks at the shop. If its the black tape its a pain in the rear to get it off. You could try the 3M addhesive remover and soak it and try to scrape it off with a brand new never used plastic mud spreader. If you do use a removal wheel keep it moving dont stay in one place very long. Good luck.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

If you can find this stuff its worth buying and holding onto for removing adhesive residue.

Bestine Solvent and Thinner

Just use a clean rag at all times and this stuff will dry without a residue or anything.

 

[chipper]

3M eraser wheel I've used it a thousand times just be careful not to burn through the paint also do not let the eraser get to close to center there is a metal disc inside it

 

[ambenz]

Lot's of great advice here...thank you all...I am going to see if I can find the 3M spray remover first

 

[HMCFab9]

Use the 3M stuff in the red & white can. The body shop doing your painting will probably have some. Ask if you can get a little bit from them. The whole can would last you 20 years.

 

[stevec5]

I've used WD-40 and some "elbow grease" !!!


from wikipedia: "Elbow grease is an idiom for working hard at manual labour, as in "You need to use some elbow grease." It is a humorous reflection of the fact that some tasks can only be achieved by hard effort and human energy, contrasting with the idea that there should be some special oil, tool or chemical product to make the job easier.

 

[911mike]

Go to a local auto paint supplier and they should have the 3M adhesive removers. We use the red and white can stuff and have good results. It looks like what your trying to remove is a rubber base adhesive from 3M. Try a heat gun first to soften the bulk of it and use a plastic scraper to remove as much as you can then finish with the chemical remover. There is no magic to this just hard work. Take your time. Think if it as a beer drinking type project.

 

[kerryt1]

Heat gun + 3m Adhesive Remover + elbow grease.

 

[SGKent]

if it is a true decal ammonia will loosen it. If it is a sticky backed tape, I've found a rag wet with naptha lying on the end softens the glue to where one can lift it a little and then soak some more and lift another 1/2" to 1/4" at a time. The 3-M adhesive remover works great but it will also lift some paints. Ask me how I know.

here is a thread from the Samba on removing stripes on a VW bus. lengthy

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=538998&highlight=decal

 

[rlitman]

Heat gun + 3m Adhesive Remover + elbow grease.

+1
A little heat is your friend. Just be aware that adhesive remover is ridiculously flammable. But even a hair dryer's level of heat (or VERY careful application of a heat gun) will really soften any adhesive.

 

[budl]

I used the 3M 08987 spray adhesive remover to remove contact cement from painted areas (base coat/clear coat) on my hot rod. Did a good job and didn't damage the paint.

Bud

 

[Zelatore]

I've used 3M 8909 woodgrain and stripe adhesive remover to take large tape stripes off boats a few times when heat and the eraser wheels failed. Not perfect, but it was thebest thing I found for 50 feet of 20 year old tape.

 

[ambenz]

Thanks for all the tips and advice!!!
I found some 3M GP adheasive remover...$14 USD a can...and it got it off enough to allow new tape to be afixed when the spoiler is ready!!!

Thanks again...

 

[dadsEH]

Just get the body shop to clean it off for you and put it on the bill mate!! too easy.

 

[ambenz]

Thanks for the greats tips everyone...got it all off with 3M adhesive remover ....and A lot of elbow grease!

Now, just waiting for the spoiler to return from the painter.
Since I was taking my spoiler in, my wife's Mustangs rear bumper had a lot of luggage chips and scratches, so today, I helped my wife remove it from the her car.

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644010_529596733727711_2104057990_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426132_529596650394386_1777123628_n.jpg

That's a florescent shop light...stays cool to the touch and brighter than incandescent..I love it!

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/485216_529596713727713_456819786_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/307933_529596803727704_1134954944_n.jpg

It's nice to know I have a wife who is willing to get dirty and break a nail of two....

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/307959_529596873727697_830118296_n.jpg

I was just there for moral support....and make sure all my tools ended up back in the box!

Her bumper and my spoiler at in the shop and I should get them back by Thursday...and $400 poorer..UG!

 

[countryroad82]

$400 ain't all that bad imo. Pics didn't load for me though but sounds like the painter is resonable.

 

[Canadianvette]

I use brake cleaner to remove the adhesive when changing weather strips around the doors. Spray it on and let it soak and then you can roll the old adhesive off. It's cheap and works great, does not affect paint.

Canadianvette

 

[3MTaper]

I'm 3M's Technical Service Engineer for our tapes. General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner is definitely the best recommendation and I'm glad to hear it worked for you. An eraser wheel may be used for the case of more aggressive adhesive residue that will not remove with GPAC. I would always recommend starting with our least aggressive solution first and bring back something heavier if necessary.