Removing Rock Hard Tape Adhesive

 Application Tape Tip

Every so often, I get a service call involving a sign maker or painter, who cannot remove the adhesive of our application tape from a substrate. I just receive one yesterday from a woman in southern California, who had left masked painted panels in the sun. The panels became so hot that she could not handle the substrate without wearing gloves. The scorching summer heat had baked on the masking.

Many of our customers use our paper application tapes as a protective masking for substrates or for painting.  Masking on products stored indoors and not exposed to high heat should remove without problems.  When paper application tape is exposed to high heat and prolonged sunlight, however, you can encounter big trouble that may be irreparable.  

In another case, an automotive painter used our application tape to mask the chrome bumpers of a classic car, while he was spraying paint. This is a great application for the product.  The problem occurred, when he failed to remove the tape after painting. After he finished the job, the car was left outside for weeks. In that time the adhesive hardened. He tried everything to remove the masking, including water, mineral spirits, turpentine, lacquer thinner and naptha. While the paper eventually came off, the adhesive still remained. No amount of solvent could dissolve the adhesive.

Here’s what we think is happening. With exposure to heat and UV light the coadhesive strength of the rubber adhesive increases, until it crystallizes and hardens.  As the adhesive hardens, it becomes less and less soluble. At some point in time, the adhesive becomes so hard that it loses any solubility at all. 

Once the adhesive becomes hard as a rock, you are all out of luck. At RTape we have tested a wide range of solvents, hoping to find that one chemical which will remove hardened adhesive. Neither we nor any other of the manufacturers have discovered that magic potion. The good news is that if you have masked glass and the adhesive hardens, you can at least scrape the residue off with a razor scraper. That’s as good as it gets, unfortunately.

The only advice that I can give you is:

·         Do not store masked materials outdoors or exposed to high heat.
·         If you are using application paper as a masking for painting, remove the masking when you are finished painting.

Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link

Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

© 2016 Jim Hingst