How do remove really old tape ?

I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.

The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!

I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
paint?

Thanks!

wrote:
> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>
> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>
> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
> paint?
>
> Thanks!
WD-40

why, me wrote:
> wrote:
>> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
>> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
>> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>>
>> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>>
>> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
>> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
>> paint?
>>
>> Thanks!
> WD-40

I'd add gasoline as usual fluids in car like gas, oil, windshield washer
fluid or antifreeze that contact car surfaces frequently should not
hurt the paint. I would exempt brake and transmission fluids.

> wrote in message
...
> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>
> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>
> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
> paint?
>
> Thanks!

lacquer thinner

Tim B wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
>> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
>>The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>>
>>The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>>
>>I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
>> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
>> paint?
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>
> lacquer thinner
>
>

used sparingly and lightly. Otherwise it may barf up the paint
something horrible.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On 2008-05-10, > wrote:
> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>
> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>
> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
> paint?

The first thing I would try would be a cleaner-wax. If that didn't work
something like show car glaze. If that failed something like swirl
remover and if that didn't work heavy-cut cleaner. These are all
products for polishing and removing scratches/defects in paint. They are
also good for taking off stuff on the surface without causing damage.
(although if takes heavy cut cleaner a little paint will be removed and
it will need to be followed up with the show car glaze)

The stuff I mentioned by name is listed at http://www.meguiars.com/ but
there are probably products of other brands that work just as well.

"Brent P" > wrote in message
...

> The first thing I would try would be a cleaner-wax. If that didn't work
> something like show car glaze. If that failed something like swirl
> remover and if that didn't work heavy-cut cleaner.

That might be a good place to start.

Kerosene is usually safe enough on automobile paint since it is a poor
solvent for dried paint bases. Vegetable oil or even mineral oil or
Vaseline is also pretty safe. These, being poor solvents, are not likely to
remove tape adhesive quickly but they may slowly soften it and
aid in its removal.

All need to be checked first on a painted area that is not critical.

I would never use lacquer thinner... Too strong a solvent.

> wrote:
>I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
>The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>
>The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!

Yup. You have just discovered the difference between quality gaffer's
tape, and crappy packing tape. There is a reason why gaffer's tape costs
ten times as much. It saves you money in the long run.

>I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
> paint?

You will have to scrape it off, then use naptha or goo-gone (which is
naptha and d-limonene) to get the residue off. You may find yourself
having to resort to jeweler's rouge and taking some of the paint off
as well if that doesn't work.

Almost certainly you will have to repair damage to the clearcoat, and
even if not you will have to wax it.

>Thanks!

Sorry about that. Use gaff tape next time, and don't leave it on so long.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On Sat, 10 May 2008 00:40:17 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>
> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>
> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
> paint?
>
> Thanks!

Teatree, orange or peppermint essential oil will remove it without
damaging the paint.

"Bret" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 10 May 2008 00:40:17 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
>
>> I've got a 96 windstar. The backside window broke 1 sept 07'
>> I taped it up with (beige) packing tape when it happened.
>> The tape served well all winter. I replaced the window mar 08.
>>
>> The freaking tape won't come off the body/paint of the van.!
>>
>> I dont want to use a razor to scrape it off. What solvent or
>> chemical will dissolve old tape without screwing up the
>> paint?
>>
>> Thanks!
>
> Teatree, orange or peppermint essential oil will remove it without
> damaging the paint.

Have you actually tried tea tree oil? It has a lot in common with
turpentine
(which I would be very hesitant to use without testing it).

Nowadays, I have gotten very concerned with the clear coat that is used
on a lot of cars. It seems to turn white and bubble up over time,
especially
when exposed to the elements.