Tape residue

[johnsotl]

I recently played with some folks at a songwriters night. #I did not know the songs, had only gone over them once, so I taped the set list with keys on the back of my mando. #I know don't say it ...

I am afraid to use anything to get the tape residue off other than rubbing it but that is taking forever. #Has anybody else had this problem? #Any suggestion?

[Keith Erickson]

OKay... I'm sure you won't do it again.

Now let's get you some help. Have you tried a razorblade? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I would start by working my way underneath the tape slowly and continue to move from there.

Best of luck and stay away from the tape http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[keith_rowan]

thought i read somewhere that lighter fluid would do the trick and would be "finish-safe" but you should wait for someone more knowledgable than me to chime in on that

keith

[GTison]

I think I wouln't EVER use a blade of any kind on a mandolin.
What kind of tape was it? The best thing I've found to do is to take a piece of tape and stick it to the tape residue and pull it up. This will many times take the old residue off with out the use of thinners.

Lighter fluid which is supposed to be naptha is not SUPPOSED to hurt. I've heard it on here onthis board lots of times. BUT I tried it once and it made may old F5L finish cloud up! So Beware putting stuff on a mando you want to keep pristine.
And for future reference NEVER put duct tape on anything you don't want sticky for the rest of your life.

[johnsotl]

Yikes!!! #I'm not taking a razer blade to it. #The tape itself is off. #All that is left now is tape residue and lots of it. #I'm thinking of using WD40 but I'm afraid to use that or anything unless I can find someone who knows it will be ok.

[johnsotl]

It wasn't duct tape, I'm not that stupid. It was just a clear, what looked like Scotch Magic Transparent whatever, but it turned out to be a bit more than that and left a gummy residue.

[GTison]

try the fresh Scotch tape trick .

Something else I've done is to put a little powder on the sticky and rub that off. Not as quick as above though.

[Keith Erickson]

Yikes!!! #I'm not taking a razer blade to it. #The tape itself is off. #All that is left now is tape residue and lots of it. #I'm thinking of using WD40 but I'm afraid to use that or anything unless I can find someone who knows it will be ok.
Woops John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif Sorry about that. I was thinking that the tape was still on.

I've also heard that turtle was will do the trick for resedue.

My apologies...

Didn't mean to give you bad advise. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[fatt-dad]

I've used lighter fluid with no incident. #I was also working on a $300.00 Ibanez. #That said, it worked perfectly.

fatt I've-never-tried-the-razor-method-though dad

[siren_20]

I'd try a little bit of instrument polish, or perhaps some oil (olive oil would do the trick, I bet).

[mandodebbie]

I have this stuff callled "Goo-Be-Gone" at home. It comes with a plastic scraper. I think it is similar to lighter fluid (it has a scull and crossbones poison warning on the label) but it evaporates very quickly. You could also try hand-lotion, cold creame or baby oil. Those all remove gum from hair. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[b.pat]

Debbie,

How did you get the gum in your hair ??

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

B.Pat

[JDSmith]

Try the stuff called "Goo Gone". It's sold at Walgreens and have a citrus sort of scent. Apply it with a Q-tip and let it sit for while. It will wad up the adhesive residue which you can then wipe off with a soft cloth.

And whatever you do? DON'T GO NEAR YOUR MANDO WITH A RAZOR BLADE!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Tom C]

Didn't somebody once recommend mayonaise?

[Flatpick]

WD-40........works great...

[Desert Rose]

Naptha or good old zippo lighter fluid is the cleaner of choice on almost any finish

HOWEVER any rerpairman knows to FIRST check by using a q tip and the naptha on a small unseen spot to check

Ive never run into problems on new or vintage instruments and it removes the tape gum wonderfully

Scott

[pickinpox]

Almost any oil based liquid will dissolve tape residue. Even peanut butter has been suggested and would work. I usually use mineral spirits. (paint thinner) Be careful not to confuse it with the British use of the term spirit which is alcohol! Definitly not lacquer thinner or acetone!

[Stephen Perry]

Vegetable oil and detergent works great. I once had an acoustic bass in for repair that had loads of tape residue all over the body of the instrument. Go figure.

Gianna

[Dale Ludewig]

I agree with Scott- naptha. Try it in a little section first- maybe under the tailpiece. But I've used it many time for many years to get rid of stuff like this. It should work even on a lacquer finish. I'd be leary if it was french polish.

Then again- there is a product you can probably get at your local hardware store: Panel Magic. Made for cleaning finishes on cabinets, panels, and such. We use it at the shop on virtually everything that comes in or we make: cabinets, entertainment centers, antiques, and mandolins. It leaves no residue, has never harmed a finish in my experience, and is just remarkable. Note: leaves no residue. Any sort of oil or polish could leave a residue that would make any necessary refinishing in the future a real pain for the person doing it.

By no means, use a razor blade or anything even remotely abrasive.