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63Silver · 08-17-2008, 06:38 PM

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

overlander63 · 08-17-2008, 06:40 PM

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3M Pinstripe Removal Wheel ZZ3000

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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.

63Silver · 08-17-2008, 06:50 PM

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

KeithC · 08-17-2008, 06:56 PM

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

63Silver · 08-17-2008, 07:46 PM

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

overlander63 · 08-17-2008, 07:48 PM

MEK and acetone are both ingredients of lacquer thinner.

Foiled Again · 08-17-2008, 07:49 PM

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

Tim A. · 08-17-2008, 08:53 PM

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

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).

cameront120 · 08-17-2008, 08:58 PM

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).

Some people use olive oil to do the same thing.

AirsDream · 08-17-2008, 09:32 PM

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!

2dabeach · 08-17-2008, 09:33 PM

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

63silver... Try Goo Gone by Magic American Corp, Clevland, OH. You should be able to pick it up at any hardware store.

94Tri · 08-18-2008, 06:25 AM

Any thoughts on "aircraft" paint strippers??

63Silver · 08-18-2008, 09:30 PM

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

InsideOut · 08-18-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94Tri

Any thoughts on "aircraft" paint strippers??

I'd try it and PermaTex gasket remover.

Shari

vox · 08-19-2008, 08:41 AM

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.

maxandgeorgia · 08-19-2008, 09:37 AM

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

dnrtheil · 08-19-2008, 11:03 AM

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

tr674 · 08-21-2008, 09:10 AM

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.

acleiter · 08-23-2008, 11:37 AM

Xylene is the solvent for adhesive

63Silver · 09-01-2008, 08:21 PM

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