Old BLUE masking tape removal

[Pagan]

Hi.

I did a search on this but nothing came up, so maybe I am the only idiot it happened to.

Any way I masked up a strip on both sides of my sailing boat and put the first two coats on over two days, but then I became very ill, then the weather turned nasty etc. Any way the masking tape has been on the boat for nearly three months and does not want to come off.

I am looking to you boffins, out there, to help me out with suggestions as to how I can remove this tape in the easiest way.

Many thanks.

Pagan (Nev)

[KDH]

First, do not use an oil based product such as goof off to attempt to remove the tape. You could try heating it very gently with low heat from a hair dryer, not a heat gun as the setting on a heat gun might bake it on. Just an inch at a time really. Another method that might work provided the paint you used is not an expensive acrylic urethane paint and is instead an old fashioned oil based paint is to use alcohol to soak the area of the tape only and then the adhesive should rub off. Test this first on a board with a test swatch of paint, not on your boat. If the paint degrades, for example gets sticky and tacky or the color transfers, you have a urethane based paint and should not use this method. I would also mask off the area below where you will be working with plastic sheeting. The concern with the oil based product is that if it gets into the gel coat it will leave blotchy oil marks. Good luck.

[Lojanica]

It depends on what surface you taped. Wood, fiberglass, metal, etc.

It depends on what you used to paint or coat that surface with.

Need more info.

[minaret]

Citrus.



Amazon.com: 3M(TM) Adhesive Remover 6040, 6.25 fl oz [PRICE is per CAN]: Office Products

[rdempsey]

WD-40

[Lojanica]

as mentioned no oil on fiberglass due to staining and possible bonding issues. Lacquer thinner or acetone are solvents that can work for fiberglass.

Citrus is good for Fiberglass sparingly but not plastic it can make the plastic craze.

Again it depends where on what and how. Goo gone,and others work ok for some uses too. Best to be careful and test an area that is safe like a sample off the boat your neighbors boat, down below in the bilge, etc. Use plastic sheeting as mentioned.

[Northstar]

3M 08984 General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner is the stuff to use. Soak a rag and then hold it against the tape so it will soak through the tape, works really well.

Another issue you may encounter is the paint line between the tape and the hull. More then likely the paint will want to pull off the boat with the tape leaving a ragged paint edge. You may be able to cut the paint line from the tape with a razor blade prior to pulling the tape??

Green 3M tape works good and can be left on longer then blue tape. 3M fine line has worked the best for me when doing this type of work.

Best of luck!

[Jimmy Jazz]

coke is great for removing tape

[Coops]

I googled "removing old masking tape" and got heaps of stuff. Including this.

How to Remove Stubborn Masking Tape • Ron Hazelton Online • DIY Ideas & Projects

So, whoever said use a hairdryer.

Coops.

[toddedger]

When outside for overnight use 3M silver masking tape. I use it for varnish because I like to wash the boat down with soap and water after I sand. Silver is the most expensive, but it can get wet and still come off nicely. By the way, when I'm working on someones boat and I find a roll of duct tape, I usually throw it in the trash. If you think blue tape is hard to get off after a few days outside, wait till you try to remove duct tape that's been in the sun awhile.

[Pagan]

Originally Posted by Lojanica

It depends on what surface you taped. Wood, fiberglass, metal, etc.

It is on GRP

[Island_Moose]

I took off 75 feet of baked-on masking tape from fibreglass in 15 minutes with this product:

Goo Gone Citrus Power Liquid Adhesive Remover | Walgreens

It's a citrus-based adhesive remover, sold my many different outfits. Mine came in a spray bottle, which made it easier to use.

You apply it generously with a rag on your finger tip, it soaks through the paper backing and dissolves the glue. You then go over just the remaining glue with a bit of rubbing. It obliterates the adhesive, smells nice and is no-caustic. Have a plastic scraper on hand to get things going.

Give the area a wipe with soapy water when you're done.

I didn't try a heat gun because the tape was on my boat deck in the hot sun for weeks and only got stickier, I felt more heat wasn't the way to go.

Yes you may still have to pick away at the tape in places, but this stuff is AMAZING...and I am genetically-skeptical.

[savoir]

A hair dryer worked for me and the I followed up rubbing the residue with paint thinners and a rag.

[pscottharris]

In most cases toluene works pretty well. It is a slow evaporating solvent, available in most hardware and marine stores.
I wouldn't recommend smoking while you are using it.
Read the precautions on the label.

[aclmck]

Don't know where to get it in USA but eucalyptus oil rubbed onto the tape will soften the paper, remove the paper then apply again and it will remove the sticky stuff, won't hurt anything and the smells of Australian trees is good for colds, we use it a bit like a vapour rub on a pillow etc to sleep at night. we also use it in sweets but thats another story

be careful with some of the advice you already have , whichever product you choose do a small area first to ensure no issues are going to start, paint orange peel,paint lifting, paint dissolve, surface crazing etc etc etc