Removing tape residue

Question

Level 1

110 points

Removing tape residue

I bought a clamshell in ebay. The seller used a large section of wide transparent packing tape to fix part of the bubble wrap to the case, so I now have a large and unsightly tape residue. Regular stain and grease removers don't work. Mineral spirits don't work either and I am afraid or trying something stronger that may dissolve the plastic. Any suggestions from more experienced members of this forum?

Mini, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Aug 27, 2008 9:59 AM

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Answer 1

Dodger

Level 2

265 points

Aug 27, 2008 11:35 AM in response to josemari

hi. i usually use white spirit for similar jobs. not sure if that is the same as'mineral spirit' or different stuff.

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Answer 2

Sep 5, 2008 12:10 AM in response to Dodger

...yes, and after you remove the tape with white spirits you can then use armorall to replenish the plastic... It comes up a treat! : )

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Answer 3

Dodger

Level 2

265 points

Sep 5, 2008 3:15 AM in response to Paul James Hansen

im not sure if your implying white spirit will destroy the plastic surface in some way but it won't. ive just wiped it over my whole ibookand it had no apparent effect on the plastic except removing some dirt.

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Answer 4

josemari Author

Level 1

110 points

Sep 5, 2008 7:50 PM in response to Dodger

I have tried mineral spirits and it's not strong enough to remove the tape residue. Something stronger is needed, but I'm afraid it could dissolve the plastic. I am not sure if gasoline would work. Acetone and lacquer thinner would very likely work, but they may also dissolve te plastic.

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Answer 5

Dodger

Level 2

265 points

Sep 5, 2008 10:04 PM in response to josemari

find it hard to believe white spirit AKA 'mineral spirit' doesnt work. are you sure youve scraped all the plastic tape off so the adhesive is exposed?

you could experiment with another solvent on a non visible area (like inside the battery compartment) to see if it harms the plastic.

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Answer 6

freefour

Level 1

125 points

Sep 6, 2008 8:46 AM in response to josemari

Go to Walmart and get some "Oops" or " Goo Be Gone " they are in the hardware department were the solvents are . I won't harm the plastic and is petroleum based . You can also use "Rem oil " ,like for your gun , you can get that in Sporting Goods . It works great as well and will shine'er up nice to.

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Answer 7

Steve A.

Level 3

724 points

Sep 8, 2008 10:44 AM in response to josemari

josemari wrote:
I bought a clamshell in ebay. The seller used a large section of wide transparent packing tape to fix part of the bubble wrap to the case, so I now have a large and unsightly tape residue. Regular stain and grease removers don't work. Mineral spirits don't work either and I am afraid or trying something stronger that may dissolve the plastic. Any suggestions from more experienced members of this forum?

Might sound crazy, but a Q-Tip with a little olive oil tends to take adhesive residue off of plastic nicely for me.

Works like a charm on CD jewelboxes with the residue left over from those strips atop.

Steve

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Answer 8

Sep 9, 2008 11:01 PM in response to Steve A.

...but keep your iBook indoors because the ants love the oil!

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