Blue Tape Residue

[Coop]

I have been working on a project way too long and in doing so, I noted orientation and other info on Scotch blue tape, on the bare wood pieces. After removing the tape, there is a shadow line image. Google suggests rubbing alcohol, but to no avail. Mineral spirits didn’t work either. Tomorrow I will try WD-40, followed by ms. Packing tape or masking tape, I could imagine. Anyone experienced this and have a resolve? 

[wtnhighlander]

Ken, is it adhesive residue, or color change in the wood from being covered? I've always had the residue clean up easily with mineral spirits 

[Coop]

So far, not so. luckily it’s still unfinished wood and maybe sanding will eliminate it. Just don’t want any surprises. 

[Mark J]

if there's no finish yet, try acetone.  I'd be leery of WD-40, it might interfere with finish later.  Ross may be right,  the color difference may be sun induced.  Is there a spot where you can try sanding?

[drzaius]

No to WD40 as it can take forever to evaporate out of the wood and can leave oily residue. Naptha, lacquer thinner, Goof-off, paint thinner, or acetone will remove the adhesive. I prefer naptha because it dissolves it quickly and isn't as noxious as laquer thinner or acetone.

[BillyJack]

I use blue tape to paint only. Nothing on stain projects. I wouldnt use anything with an oil base...

[Chestnut]

Interesting I've never had residue with blue tape even after a long time. I'd try mechanical removal first. A scrape with a card scraper or razor. Then some finish sanding.

[Tom King]

If I don't have a card scraper handy, or ready to go, utility knife blades held perpendicular to the surface can do pretty good at scraping.

[Coop]

Here is a spot that I haven’t used anything on and you can feel the tacky.

And this is one that I used rubbing alcohol and ms on. No stickiness but you can still see it. I don’t have naphtha as suggested but will clean all with acetone or something besides WD40 (thanks) and then sand. 

[BillyJack]

If just sand it.

[Coop]

After wiping all that I could feel off with acetone, that’s what I did and it is no longer visible. 

[drzaius]

17 hours ago, BillyJack said:

If just sand it.

The tricky thing about trying to sand off residue that is a sticky or fluid substance is that it will often be driven into the wood fibers and can actually require the removal of quite a bit of material before the unwanted residue is all gown.

[BillyJack]

Nothing tricky about it. Painters use blue tape all the time without issues. Our painter at the furniture company used blue and green without issues.

This sounds more like user error...

Was it pressed down too hard with a putty buddy, other?

 

[JohnG]

He said it’s been on there a long time. Some painters tape states how long it will “clean release” and as I recall it’s a couple weeks. Longer term it can definitely leave residue.

[Coop]

On 7/4/2022 at 4:33 PM, BillyJack said:

Nothing tricky about it. Painters use blue tape all the time without issues. Our painter at the furniture company used blue and green without issues.

This sounds more like user error...

Was it pressed down too hard with a putty buddy, other?

 

I’ve signed up for a Blue Tape Users 101 class so I will know the ins and outs next time. Until then, I have my roll secured away.

[gee-dub]

Like Frank, I am a naphtha user.  I have a can or two of Ronson cigarette lighter fluid that I just keep refilling from a larger can of Klean Strip VM&P Naphtha.  I have no idea if lighter fluid is still naphtha.  I've been refilling the old metal Ronson cans so long anything could have happened in the meantime.  Naphtha will dissolve a great many sticky or leftover materials.  Turning the paper towel (or whatever you are using) frequently to a clean area works best as the naphtha is only softening the goo.  Turning the towel to a clean surface again and again is what actually gets the stuff gone.  I have never had a finishing issue after using naphtha; usually available at your local paint or hardware store (even in California).

[drzaius]

I kinds like the smell of naptha. It reminds me of camping. No danger of me wanting to huff it though 

[BillyJack]

I used some low stick tape yesturday. It only had a 1/8 to bond too and kept coming off. I ended up going t ok a more aggressive tape. 

Gotta check the color codes for tacky..

 

[BillyJack]

Not all blue tape is the same. Some are quick release and some not. Others have specialties...tape is like glue. You have to use the right tape for the application.