Removing old tape residue from film holders

[aaronnate]

I have 5 8x10 holders that I am replacing the tape on. I am using gaffers tape. Why? Because it was suggested. I replaced the tape on two and thought all was well. It wasn’t.

Here is the problem: the tape lifts off the old residue after a week. I rubbed it with 90% alcohol, and carefully used a scraper but it all did not come off. I am afraid to get aggressive with it. I waited until it was dry before taping. By the next Saturday the tape over the residue had lifted. I tried again. Same problem.

I just ordered some cloth book tape, to see it that fixes the problem.

I looked around here and elsewhere but didn’t see this problem addressed.
Thoughts?

[Greg]

If you can find a can of it:
Seal UNSEAL ADHESIVE RELEASING SOLVENT
just use it outdoors
or
3M 08984 General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner
But "Not available for sale in: CA, CO, CT, DE, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, VA, and Dist. of Columbia."

[nolindan]

Try Ronsonol (or other brand) of lighter fluid. It won't attack the plastic.

Goo Gone works on a lot of adhesives, but if the original adhesive is dried out it may take a while to soak in and work.

[Keith Pitman]

Bookbinders tape is what I have used. By all means, remove all the old tape. I’d use GooGone followed by alcohol as GooGone is a little oily.

[Roger Thoms]

I use De-Solv-It followed by a rubbing alcohol. Like GooGone the De-Solv-It is a little oily. https://www.de-solv-it.com/desolvit-...actors-solvent

Roger

[Kevin Crisp]

Goo gone should work. That 3M product mentioned above is also excellent. I guess I got mine before the state banned it.

Don't use gaffer's tape. It is often too thick, and it doesn't take a very long time for it to get hard and brittle and break off. The thinner book binding style tapes last longer.

[Jim Noel]

Bookbinders tape is superior to Gaffers tape. It's stronger, better adhesive and thinner. I wouldn't be without it.

[Drew Wiley]

De-Solv-It is citrus-based and nontoxic, but still a respiratory and skin irritant. Wear nitrile gloves, and let it take its time. It works somewhat slowly. Then after cleaning up all the old adhesive goo, clean off any residual citrus solvent itself with alcohol, and let everything air dry and outgas at least a few days. Do not use the film holder immediately!

[LabRat]

Don't use the gaffer's tape... After 5 to 10 years, the adhesive dries out, tape peels, part of residue turns to messy dust and the rest is very stubborn to remove... And if tape is removed early than dried, it will pull up the surfaces it is attached to...

The suggested bookbinder's tape is the best long term solution...

Steve K

[Roger Thoms]

De-Solv-It is citrus-based and nontoxic, but still a respiratory and skin irritant. Wear nitrile gloves, and let it take its time. It works somewhat slowly. Then after cleaning up all the old adhesive goo, clean off any residual citrus solvent itself with alcohol, and let everything air dry and outgas at least a few days. Do not use the film holder immediately!

Drew is spot here with his advice, and I will emphasize that patience is key. I’ve been useing De-Solv-it since the early 90’s, originally used to get it from a video supply house which sold it for removing labels on VHS tape cassettes.

Roger