Best Stuff for removing adhesive residue from paint.

[WackyDan]

Long story short... I have some towing mirrors for the truck that slip on over the existing mirrors and look factory for the most part. Far cheaper than buying Ford's towing mirrors wich were not an option on my truck - but could be installed - but I would lose all power adjustments, folding, etc...

So...

I had to tow this weekend and didn't have the 3M clear body tape yet, so I used some strips of electrical tape to prevent any potential rubbing between the slip over mirrors and stock mirrors which are partially painted....Removing said tape after a day of towing and sun left some residue... Not horrible, but I'd like to remove it.

What are some clear coat safe chemicals for removing the residue?

FYI... For the $50 for the mirrors, they worked freaking great.

 

[sgrinavi]

wd40

 

[phucheneh]

I've used Goo-Gone with varying levels of success, depending on the particular adhesive. Should work well for electrical tape, since I would assume the rubber/PVC/whatever part all came off. It's less effective when there are bits of the 'tape' material covering the adhesive- have had that happen with masking tape...little tiny bits of paper made it a pain. Also, I had done the 'stick the tape to your clothes to make it less tacky' trick, which seemed to end up being counterproductive, as the lint and crap doesn't dissolve.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I like goo gone (the citrus based stuff.... NOT goof off) for the really tough stuff.

 

[Throckmorton]

Goo Gone worked for the residue from removing my spoiler... and that was some serious adhesive. It took over an hour and the paint wasn't damaged as far as I could tell. It's not citrus based though, it's made from some petroleum based oil and citrus oil.

 

[Throckmorton]

But for vinyl sticker residue I used quick detail spray. The Meguiar's one is mostly isopropyl with some other chemicals that may or may not be harmful

 

[phucheneh]

All I know is goo gone seems harmless. I'm sure it strips your wax, and you risk swirl marks and whatnot from whatever you're scrubbing with. But none of that is as serious as actually damaging the paint.

I've also used some really serious 'bug and tar' remover for tree sap and the like. Seemed to just be paint thinner or something, heh. But still didn't hurt anything. Modern clearcoat is some hard shit.

 

[olds]

wd40

This

 

[WilliamM2]

Lighter fluid works well. It's mostly water and won't damage the paint. I always wipe with water after just to be sure.

 

[Throckmorton]

Lighter fluid works well. It's mostly water and won't damage the paint. I always wipe with water after just to be sure.

Is lighter fluid really mostly water?

 

[Zap]

wd40

I've used WD40 to get rid of tar/oil. Just wash the car afterwards to get rid of the WD40 itself.

 

[phucheneh]

Is lighter fluid really mostly water?

I do not believe that is correct. If lighter fluid contained a large amount of water, wouldn't it sizzle/pop/crack/ect and generally be pretty terrible as a fluid for lighters with a wick?

The volatile part is some kind of light hydrocarbon. I think the rest is a paraffin.

Or perhaps he meant charcoal lighter fluid...but I don't think that's a very standardized substance? As in, different brand, difference variety of stuff that goes boom.

 

[Colt45]

lighter fluid is generally straight light naphtha, I suppose treated to remove most benzene, though.

'charcoal lighter fluid' is more or less kerosene, afaik (so a bit heavier, less volatile, less vooompf when lighting).

I usually try alcohol first, then move on to varsol (~kerosene) or acetone.

 

[spaceman]

3m makes some good stuff for this
ivehad good luck w.it and a plastic credit card
takes some work

 

[Meghan54]

WD40

 

[olds]

WD40 for everything. After working on my car of bike ,I spray it on my hands and use a rag to wipe off the grease.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Before you start removing ANY adhesive you heat it up FIRST (with heating gun or hairdryer).

At that point, you can pretty much take it off with anything....rag?

 

[Midwayman]

Brake fluid will take it right off.*







*Just to be clear it will remove everything down to the metal

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Brake fluid will take it right off.

Ban.

Edit: And just so it's clear, brake fluid will eat any paint or plastic it touches. Ignore this troll.


In reply to your edit, brake fluid won't consistently remove paint to the metal. If you're trying to do that then you should use paint stripper.

There is absolutely no reason to 'apply' brake fluid to anything on a car, not even as a hack job type of fix.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

wd40

this or pb blaster

 

[olds]

Ban.

I concur. This isn't OT.

 

[WackyDan]

Ban.

Edit: And just so it's clear, brake fluid will eat any paint or plastic it touches. Ignore this troll.

Yeah, well I already know that. I know about goo gone and so forth. I just want to use the friendliest chemical I can that will get the job done with no ill effects to the paint and plastics.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Yeah, well I already know that. I know about goo gone and so forth. I just want to use the friendliest chemical I can that will get the job done with no ill effects to the paint and plastics.

Technically the "friendliest" chemical would be warm water. Soak a towel in hot water, lay it on the mirror, carefully try to buff the residue off with a MF towel.


Personally I would use goo gone. You don't want to "rub" the stuff off or it creates micro scratches. I would dab it on, let it sit for a few seconds and try to blotch off. Electrical tape residue can be a PITA so I wouldn't go in thinking this is a 2 minute fix.

 

[FeuerFrei]

If you care about your paint, stay away from acetone. It's great at adhesive (or nail polish) removal but it's so harsh on paint it leaves it flat. No more gloss for you.

Bug & Tar Remover might work. It's safe for paint. It'll kill plastic though. Directions say to rinse after use. It has a definite hydrocarbon odor.

 

[thescreensavers]

Any over the counter bug and tar remover should handle this task, they are clearcoat safe.