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08-17-2008, 06:38 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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How do I remove this @#$% tape?
We are preparing to begin the process of polishing our 63 Ambassador. Unfortunately, each winter the previous owner taped a tarp completely around the exterior to keep out the wind and did not remove the tape. So, now we have a beautiful Airstream with a line of tape around the middle . The tape is so old and cracked it will not budge. I have tried Oops, Goop, graffiti remover, Lacquer thinner, paint thinner, heat gun, lighter fluid, nothing works. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Someone mentioned Acetone but I'm afraid to use it . Please help!!!
Thanks,
63silver
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08-17-2008, 06:40 PM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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3M Pinstripe Removal Wheel ZZ3000
Your Price Qty
$34.95
Detailed Description The 3M Stripe Off Wheel is designed to work with common drills for highly efficient removal of thermoplastic adhesives and films such as automotive stripes, decals and molding. Stripe Off Wheel removals may be made without damage to paint, glass and many metal substrates.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-17-2008, 06:50 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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Thanks overlander63, I'm online ordering one right now. If it works, I owe you an enormous BEER!!! We have worked on this tape for weeks with little to no luck.
Thanks,
63silver
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08-17-2008, 06:56 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1994 34' Excella
1978 31' Sovereign
Mansfield
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 275
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Hey 63Silver,
Wow, it sounds like you have tried almost every solvent including it the kitchen sink to remove your problem adheasive residual gunk.
I can think of only two other solvents you might try. Old fashisoned kerosene can work wonders on cleaning up new ploy-adheasives. After that try MEK, methonal eatheal keytone, a great solvent, but use latex golves to protect yourself
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08-17-2008, 07:46 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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KeithC,
The tape residue will come off with a great deal of scrubbing but we are really having a hard time getting the actual tape removed. The chemicals we have used will not penetrate the plastic coating on the front side of the tape. At this point I'm up for trying anything.
Thanks,
63silver
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08-17-2008, 07:48 PM
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#6
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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MEK and acetone are both ingredients of lacquer thinner.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-17-2008, 07:49 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Try WD 40 - that stuff will soften about any adhesive. Douse a spot, leave it alone for 10 minutes and wipe with paper towels. Work from the edges toward the center.
Paula Ford
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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08-17-2008, 08:53 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
Try WD 40 - that stuff will soften about any adhesive. Douse a spot, leave it alone for 10 minutes and wipe with paper towels. Work from the edges toward the center.
Paula Ford
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I strongly second the nomination of trying WD-40. Sometimes it is miraculous in what it will remove.
Although it is not necessarily appropriate for this thread, I will mention that WD-40 is a great "polish" for brushed stainless (like rockguards). Spray a little on and wipe around and off. Not my idea, we were told about it by a refrigerator repairman when discussing the brushed stainless finish on kitchen appliances. Just make sure you rub it off to a dry condition (paper towels work great).
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08-17-2008, 08:58 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A.
Although it is not necessarily appropriate for this thread, I will mention that WD-40 is a great "polish" for brushed stainless (like rockguards). Spray a little on and wipe around and off. Not my idea, we were told about it by a refrigerator repairman when discussing the brushed stainless finish on kitchen appliances. Just make sure you rub it off to a dry condition (paper towels work great).
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Some people use olive oil to do the same thing.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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08-17-2008, 09:32 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg
, Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
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Sounds as if you've tried most common hydrocarbon solvents. If the more powerful ones mentioned (and perhaps Goof Off - try a painter's supply store) don't work, you might give ordinary water a try, as it will dissolve many things that hydrocarbon solvents won't ... add a few drops of dish detergent to give it lower surface tension.
Next best bet: a smallish nuclear device or photon torpedoes!
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08-17-2008, 09:33 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
North/East
, New Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 63Silver
We are preparing to begin the process of polishing our 63 Ambassador. Unfortunately, each winter the previous owner taped a tarp completely around the exterior to keep out the wind and did not remove the tape. So, now we have a beautiful Airstream with a line of tape around the middle . The tape is so old and cracked it will not budge. I have tried Oops, Goop, graffiti remover, Lacquer thinner, paint thinner, heat gun, lighter fluid, nothing works. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Someone mentioned Acetone but I'm afraid to use it . Please help!!!
Thanks,
63silver
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63silver... Try Goo Gone by Magic American Corp, Clevland, OH. You should be able to pick it up at any hardware store.
__________________
2007 Safari 25' FBSE LS
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Duramax
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08-18-2008, 06:25 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1994 34' Excella
Mount Vernon
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 261
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Any thoughts on "aircraft" paint strippers??
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08-18-2008, 09:30 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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I've tried Goo Gone with no luck. i'm going by an auto body shop tomorrow to see if they have the stripping wheel that overlander63 mentioned. I'm also going to try the WD40 just in case.
63silver
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08-18-2008, 09:33 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 94Tri
Any thoughts on "aircraft" paint strippers??
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I'd try it and PermaTex gasket remover.
Shari
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08-19-2008, 08:41 AM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
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Xylene will take it right off as well as anything else. Wear a solvents mask and gloves as it is poison and a possible cancer agent. If you cant buy it straight many auto products like carb cleaner contain xylene.
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08-19-2008, 09:37 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Limited
Ashland
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
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Ours had old duct tape securing the back access storage door. WD-40 came to the rescue, along with lots of repeated applications and elbow grease, but the nasty old tape and stickum did finally come off the aluminum. Good luck with your problem. ~G
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
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08-19-2008, 11:03 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1964 24' Tradewind
Portage
, Michigan
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 332
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Stick with the 3M wheel or similar. We use them a lot in the sign world, chemicals are used very little now a days.
D
__________________
Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Associate Member)
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08-21-2008, 09:10 AM
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#18
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1 Rivet Member
1988 34' Excella
Marianna
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11
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Before using any solvents on your aluminum skin, make sure that it will not injure the skin. Try a good solvent for aluminum and us a plastic razor blade. check with vintage airstream website.
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08-23-2008, 11:37 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6
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Xylene is the solvent for adhesive
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09-01-2008, 08:21 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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Well, I have tried the wheel and it has removed some of the tape but leaves a lot of residue that is just as difficult to get off. Any opinions on using wet sandpaper, starting around 600 coarse?? I'm thinking about pin stripping all the way around just to cover how ugly this tape is. Maybe if the pinstripe matched the new awning it would look OK.
63silver
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