Please help with tape hinge residue

[tommyt]

I have an old open class obechi sheeted ship that I finished with Minwax Polycrylic some years ago. I also used Airtronics Tape Hinges. I have removed the tape but it left behind some glue residue.

What can I use to remove the glue without damaging the finish?

Along with that, what are you guys using for tape hinges now?

Tom

[fly1milehi]

I have used "Goof Off" to remove adhesives and a great product from 3M called General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, part #051135-08984 on most finishes and monokote films too. Not 100% sure about using either on Minwax Polycrylic. Im guessing from the name that the Minwax product is an acrylic polyureathane so you should be fine.
Goof Off I have found at hardware stores like Lowes and Ace. The 3M product is available at most Automotive Paint supply stores.
I still use tape hinges!
Greg

[schrederman]

On wings finished with Krylon or other touchy finishes I have used a tape with strong adhesive and dabbed it on and off many times, lifting the residue. Often it takes a pretty good while to do but far less time than repainting wings, etc. You will probably have to change the tape you're using to lift the residue pretty often, too.

I started changing the tape pretty often to keep the UV from making the residue quite so bad.

Jack Womack

[nuevo]

I have a collection of removers, as every tape has it's own characteristics. Things to try:

goof off
Goo Gone
lighter fluid
isopropyl alcohol

Caveat Emptor: I guarantee at least one of the above will remove Krylon. Furthermore, depending on how well you sealed he wood, one of the above may affect the foam core underneath. :eek:

I find one of the above will usually get the adhesive off. Some just ball up the adhesive, but don't dissolve it. Good enough, but elbow grease required.

Given all that, I gave up on tape hinges years ago because I have to do this remove, clean, replace dance about every year.

[fprintf]

Given all that, I gave up on tape hinges years ago because I have to do this remove, clean, replace dance about every year.

Hi Jon, I think the second part of the OPs question is most relevant then. What do you use now? I just inherited my first plane that came with silicone hinges and they all need to be redone. I have been tempted to replace all of them with tape, but I am interested to hear what you are using. One of my local flier friends is using CA'ed kevlar hinges but they require a slot to be milled into each mating surface and I am not prepared to do that.

[SteveR]

Want the ultimate in sticky stuff remover, something that will clean up every type of plastic imagineable and not harm the finish? It's also a great degreaser and cleans up the flux around solder joints.

Then try Bestine Solvent and Thinner, normally used in conjunction with Bestine rubber cement. Try an art supply store.

The stuff is simply amazing.

[nuevo]

That Bestine is interesting stuff. MSDS here:

http://intranet.risd.edu/envirohealth_msds/ID/UnionRubberBestineSolventThinner.pdf

[Sackie]

I have an old open class obechi sheeted ship that I finished with Minwax Polycrylic some years ago. I also used Airtronics Tape Hinges. I have removed the tape but it left behind some glue residue.

What can I use to remove the glue without damaging the finish?
Tom

Hi Tom, just saw your request, my wife works in a sign shop where they have to remove the glue left back from vinyl sign material. She suggests that you first try Isoproply Alcohol 99% (usually available from a pharmacy, maybe behind the counter). Other than that they use Rapid Remover, only available from a sign shop or their supplier, but I WOULD CAUTION YOU with this one, perform a test first as this is the best thing for removing all types of glue residue but is very VERY STONG and should only be used in a well ventilated area. Hope this helps.

[emersunn]

Gently rub it with a pencil eraser - it will ball up and come off in small chunks. Takes patience.

[edit] note this wored on removing flash tape on the LE of a molded wing, did not work on really really old gap tape on a painted bagged wing - that one I used the orange stuff.

[solo6796]

I discovered that a lint remover roller, looks like wide roll of masking tape inside out, removes this residue. Roll it over the spot several times and it's gone.

AJ

[olmod]

and then there is eucalyptus oil even removes bubble gum out of kids hair lol

[flyingdogtwo]

Wouldn't try it on bare wood, but acetone works on covered surfaces.

[nuevo]

Be aware things line acetone and other "real" solvents can dissolve the foam under the wood, if the wood is not completely sealed.

[calijeeper]

Use Denatured alcohol....you can find it at most hardware stores....it should do the trick without harming your planes finish.

[solo6796]

Use caution with denatured alcohol on the new waterbased acrylics. It will dull the gloss.

[SteveR]

...or you could use Bestine thinner and not have to worry at all.

[FLL]

I've found mineral spirits works well without causing any damage. Apply and let sit for 60 seconds and the residue softens and is easily removed.

Frank