Removing residue from the top of a mando...

[eightstrings]

A sad thing happened yesterday. My little 2 year old brother caught me off gaurd and placed two very large peices of scotch tape on the top of my mandolin. I carefully peeled the tape off, but both peices left a lot of sticky residue on the top. How the heck do I get it off?

[John Zimm]

Rumor has it that mayonaise will work well. I've never tried it though.

-John.

[Bob A]

Lighter fluid (naphtha) is a wonderful solvent for tape residue. So far as I am aware, it does not react with most finishes, but you might want to try it on a less noticeable area first, to be sure.

[John Flynn]

There is a product I have at home called "Goo Gone." It is designed to take tape residue and other sticky stuff right off of a variety of surfaces. I have used it on some surfaces I was worried about and it worked as advertised and it did not deface them. However, I have not used it on an instrument and I would advise caution.

[mandough]

I wouldn't use either of those chemicals. Lighter fluid might dull the top if you use continuous action to remove the residue. If Goo Gone is anything like Goof Off (which I have used) it'll eat right through the laquer.
Try a bit of hot water and dishwashing liquid. lightly soak a soft cloth with the soapy water, then apply to top and gently rub it away. Just be a little patient, it shouldn't take more than a few passes. The hot cloth should deharden the residue and you can gently push it with your fingernail.
That was my method when I took off my "Clash" sticker off of my Strat.

[eightstrings]

thanks!

[John Flynn]

Just FYI, Goo Gone is not like Goof Off. I have used Goof Off and it is a bear. Goo Gone is much more benign. However, I agree with mandough in advising caution when using anything like that.