Removing Adhesive

[rrgrassi]

Hi,

In my w124, the PO used duct tape to hold stuff, it appears. Anyway, when I got the car, the tape had either been removed, or had fallen off.

Either way, there is dried adhesive on the wood trim and black plastic trim.

What can I use to soften or dissolve the adhesive with out damaging the wood trim an plastic? Would liquid lighter fluid work?

Thanks!

[jsb357]

I personally would start with a vinegar or citrus based cleaner

Then maybe rubbing alcohol for something more aggressive.

There is a product called "goof off" that might works as well.

[Diseasel300]

"Goof Off" will damage lacquer. Try Goo-Gone. It's basically just citrus oil and works very well for removing goo and adhesive residues. I've also had excellent luck with Nevr-Dull metal polish. It comes in a cotton wadding and won't damage paint, plastic, or lacquered surfaces.

[rrgrassi]

Upon further inspection, ic could be adhesive from velcro strips, as well. Sheesh, why would anyone put crap like that on the wood or dash panels?

Thanks for the info, though, I will try them on my days off.

[87tdwagen]

Try WD40, other than being a water repellent, about the only other thing it's good for is removing glue residue and it is generally safe for most all surfaces, certainly paint, vinyl and plastic. It make take a few attempts but it does work.

As to the why people attach velcro or the such, I would imagine most of the time it's to provide a mount that doesn't require drilling holes etc. luckily it can be removed and returned back to stock.

[rrgrassi]

Thanks!!

[optimusprime]

White spirits will get the glue off after it woprks its way in . Then soapy water the body .Or methelated spirits

[rrgrassi]

My problem is on the interior. The wood and vinyl bits. Methanol works very well on metal and paint.

[speednjay]

I’ve used carb cleaner with good results. Spray on rag then wipe glue off

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by 87tdwagen

Try WD40, other than being a water repellent, about the only other thing it's good for is removing glue residue and it is generally safe for most all surfaces, certainly paint, vinyl and plastic. It make take a few attempts but it does work.

As to the why people attach velcro or the such, I would imagine most of the time it's to provide a mount that doesn't require drilling holes etc. luckily it can be removed and returned back to stock.

Beat me to it. One of the best reasons to have it around. Also good for removing epoxy while still wet. Denatured alcolhol works about as well, less smell residue but it's harder to carry a small container of it around. Those little WD40 cans are way handy. Spendy per fluid oz but not having one when you need to clean up some epoxy squeeze out can be more costly.

+2 on the Goof Off, use caution. I swear, with some of this stuff it's wise to practice on trash parts at a boneyard. That's where I go to yank on trim to eventually determine how it's held on.

Lot of good advice here.

[ah-kay]

Originally Posted by speednjay

I’ve used carb cleaner with good results. Spray on rag then wipe glue off

Don't. Some surface may be discolored.