The tape is no doubt a very versatile material. You can use tape on almost any surface and you can take it anywhere to fasten anything as well. And because the tape is so handy most of the time you get overwhelmed and use it on almost any kind of material. It’s too late to realize that together with using tape is dealing with sticky residue which can be very hard to remove especially on wood. So how do you remove tape residue from wood without ruining its beautiful surface?
Removing tape residue from wood
Tape residue can be removed using the following easy techniques. Keep in mind that before trying the method on the actual stain or residue, apply it on a hidden section of the furniture. This way, you don’t have to worry about damaging your wooden furniture or wood walls further.
Things you will need
- WD-40
- Razor scraper
- Blow-dryer
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar
- Sandpaper
Instructions
Use WD-40
Source: http://www.kiwireport.com/uses-probably-never-thought-possible-wd-40/
This is also a preventive measure for any tape you place on your wall or wooden furniture: spray the WD-40 on the tape without first trying to remove the tape. After a year or months, the tape will not just pull off easily without leaving any sticky residue. The “preconditioning” with WD-40 will loosen it right up.
For actual tape residue, spray it and let the formula sit for 10 or 15 minutes. You can use a single-edged razor blade as a scraper to remove the residue after spraying with WD-40.
Use the razor scrapper at a very shallow angle to the wood. Hold the edge of the tape and gently peel it off. Work with the grain of the wood than working across it.
Use a razor scraper
Source: https://www.amazon.com/Sticker-Remover-Spatula-Scraper-Removing/dp/B0772MWBDY
Use a razor scraper to remove sticky residue from the wood. Keep the razor at about a 2 to 4-degree angle to the wood. You can easily tell when to stop or when the blade starts to carve wood. You will feel some kind of resistance to its smooth motion.
The first pass at removing the tape whether you are using WD-40 or not will leave tape adhesive on the wood. The adhesive may be very soft and ready to be wiped away. You can further soften it by spraying it with WD-40 again. If you still can’t wipe the residue off with WD-40 then spray it again and this time wait for 10 minutes.
Your razor scrapper can be used on the softened adhesive residue. Work with the side where there is a shallow angle in a slow and gentle motion. The WD-40 will soften the tape and will also let the blade slide easily.
Other effective ways to remove tape residue
Use the blow dryer technique
Source: https://www.instructables.com/id/13-Unusual-Uses-for-a-Hair-Dryer/
Start heating the corner of the sticker. This will work with small or large adhesive tapes. Place the blow dryer on a low heat setting about 2 inches from the sticker. Apply heat for 15 seconds to loosen the adhesive and continue to heat and pull the sticker until this has been completely removed from wood.
Use rubbing alcohol to remove the tape to remove stickers
Source: http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-rubbing-alcohol-stains/
Dampen a soft rag with alcohol and apply this to the residue on wood. Rub the residue but not too rough to destroy the stain on wood. Wipe the wood dry with a clean rag.
Slide your fingers on the surface of the wood to make sure that there is no remaining residue. If there is a tacky feeling that remains on the surface of the wood, rub the surface once more with rubbing alcohol.
Using vinegar and water
Source: https://redmart.com/product/heinz-apple-cider-vinegar
To remove stickers from laminate wood, clean the surface with a solution made from water and vinegar. Use a clean cloth to rub the tape with the solution. Remove the adhesive left on wood using Murphy Oil Soap. Rinse the surface with adhesive and let this dry completely.
Sand the surface
Source: https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/tools-and-skills/how-to-restore-wooden-furniture
When the sticker does pull off, however, there is damage to the surface of the wood, you must sand the surface lightly. Apply a new finish on the area to protect wood from fresh finish to the area usually repairs the damage.
Conclusion
Tape residue can be an eyesore in wooden furniture, walls, and floors, but you can easily remove this especially when these are fresh and new. Don’t let tape adhesive remain for a long time on wood because this would become too hard to remove.
