A couple of weeks ago the window of my car was broken in a robbery. Because the car was originally bought in Japan, and they’ve never heard of a Honda Integra up here in Sweden, the replacement glass is hard to get. I heard yesterday that it will be available about two weeks from now.
In the meantime, I have been using clear plastic secured with duct tape to keep the rain out. The tape is very adhesive and very firmly stuck.
My question is, will it be possible to remove the duct tape after it’s been in place for a month, without lifting or damaging the paintwork? Should I treat it with some kind of solvent before removal, and if so what should I use that won’t damage the paintwork? Any ideas?
It shouldn’t affect the paint over a couple of weeks. Duct tape is easily affected by sunlight and rain. It will become brittle and deteriorate, but should be OK if undisturbed. When you try to peel it off, it will shred and tear.
See if you have a product there called Goo Gone[sup]TM[/sup].
It should remove the residue. Any petroleum-based solvent should work too. Check the label for cautions on painted surfaces.
IIRC Goo Gone and related adhesive removal products are powerful solvents and may well damage the car paint far worse than anything the duct tape residue will do. Read the label and proceed with caution.
1.Find auto parts store.
2.Buy “tar and bug” remover, or similar product (inexspensive)
3. Hi, Opal.
You could take your chances with ammonia, glass cleaner or alcohol (which is often recommended for such tasks)
I’d by the ‘tar and bug’ remover myself. Some cheap-ass SDMBers will show up and try to save a few coins, but buy the damn product and prevent the cheapos on this board from prevailing.
I work part time at a dealership detailing cars, and we have a product called “Nylon Spotter”, it is alcohol based and is specially designed not to affect clear coat. Ford puts all kinds of stickers, chalks, and spots of junk all over the place at the factory and this stuff works great on all of it.
Also, I would suggest against using heat while removing duct tape. The adhesive is already tacky enough, so heat could just make it messy.
Finally, after you remove the tape, go over the spot with a little wax.
I want to thank you all very much for your helpful suggestions.
I notice you are mostly of the opinion that the tape will leave a residue of glue, rather than take some paint with it when it comes off. I am very reassured by this, as it should then be possible to remove any residue with products such as the ones you have described above.
Stick a piece of duct tape in some inconspicuous spot - under a panel, inside a door frame. Do this now to let it adhere. Take it off first with whatever you choose to use.
I’ve had good results removing duct tape detritus from glass with both Eucalyptus oil and nail polish remover. Cheap nail polish remover can do some wonderous stuff on a variety of surfaces, I don’t know about auto paint though.
I think that 3M Adhesive Remover is the most commonly used stuff in the auto body industry. You will need to get it under the silver part of the tape if it hasn’t already lifted off. Auto paint stores carry it; NAPA probably carries an equivalent house brand, if NAPA has stores in Sweden.
This depends on how “fresh” the tape adhesive is and how oxidized the car finish is . If it is on the finish too long it can dry out or otherwise age and bond itself to the finish and at that point you it might well take some of the car finish off along with the tape. Take it off as soon as possible.