Does a chemical exist which will dissolve masking tape but not paint?

[Siberian Sea]

I used a product called “ goo be gone” with great success. No harm to paint or gel coat.

[TideTime]

You want to be extra careful using a heat gun; a heavy-duty hair dryer would be a better option along with a plastic scraper right behind it. Contrary to what some have suggested, for some reason Goo-Gone and similar products will not touch the tape adhesive. You will be unable to remove the adhesive along with the paper tape so after softening with heat gun, alcohol is helpful in removal of the adhesive residue. Acetone will remove the adhesive, but I would not trust the chemical on any significant area of gelcoat.

[keyway]

I have some blue tape on my wooden combing for at least 10 years. Truly amazing stuff. It way outlasted the paint.

[foufou]

Paint thinner has worked for me. It isn't fast but repeated applications over fifteen minutes or so does release the glue. good luck.

[onavegador]

Many years ago I had the same problem. Masking tape on the waterline during more than weak and it rained inbetween. A pain to get it off. I had to depart with the boat offshore so I sailed away with masking tape on. Arriving at the next marina about 80 Miles, no more masking tape on the hull.
Happy to reconize the fact.
Good luck

[sona1111]

Hello all. Thank you for the large volume of suggestions! I have a few more things to try now. I did want to mention I've tried the hair dryer and even short bursts of heat gun strategy without help, so I will try some of the others.

I see that many people recommended "3m adhesive remover", so I'll give that a shot first. I see there seems to be a 'citrus based' one, as well as 'specialty'. Can anyone confirm which is the one they used? For example this one? https://www.amazon.com/49048-Clear-I.../dp/B000BL2RKE vs this type? https://www.ebay.com/itm/274908403144?epid=1522276506


Thanks!

[Toys_with_time]

Originally Posted by sona1111

Hello, I'm having an issue with a painting project I started a while ago before winter. Near the bowspirt there are some trim pieces which I completely cleaned and sanded. There was to be two-tone paint on two different parts of the decoration. First, the while piece was primered and covered with one shade, when after a few days one of the sections was masked off completely and the remaining exposed part was painted the other color. When I did this, I used up a small amount of older masking tape I had along with a new roll. The problem I'm having is that, while the newer masking tape came off without issue, the older one is sticking very badly and immediately tears. I've been at it for hours and It's impossible to get it off. I've tried using denatured alcohol as well as "goo-gone" type sprays to no help. As the whole process took some time I'd like to avoid completely starting from scratch if possible.

Does anyone know any type of chemical that can be bought that would possibly work to dissolve old masking tape without completely stripping the (water based) paint?

Thanks for reading.

Full strength Eucalyptus oil - it's easy to buy in Australia but not sure about elsewhere. Amazing stuff and even smells good and clears stuffy noses at the same time. (I'm serious BTW)
TwT

[c.K.]

Originally Posted by sona1111

Hello, I'm having an issue with a painting project I started a while ago before winter. Near the bowspirt there are some trim pieces which I completely cleaned and sanded. There was to be two-tone paint on two different parts of the decoration. First, the while piece was primered and covered with one shade, when after a few days one of the sections was masked off completely and the remaining exposed part was painted the other color. When I did this, I used up a small amount of older masking tape I had along with a new roll. The problem I'm having is that, while the newer masking tape came off without issue, the older one is sticking very badly and immediately tears. I've been at it for hours and It's impossible to get it off. I've tried using denatured alcohol as well as "goo-gone" type sprays to no help. As the whole process took some time I'd like to avoid completely starting from scratch if possible.

Does anyone know any type of chemical that can be bought that would possibly work to dissolve old masking tape without completely stripping the (water based) paint?

Thanks for reading.

Hi you may try methyl hydrate

[dkenny64]

i find toluene works great and doesn't the finish underneath.


-dkenny64

[sail sfbay]

Goo Gone.

[OldManMirage]

Originally Posted by Gypsyjon

GooGon will work, any hardware of big box store has it.

I second this - its great stuff, takes off all kinds of residue, I've never had it damage a surface.

[Chenega]

We’ve used 3m Adhesive Remover for 25 years or more without any issues.
Because the tape is old, let it soak and use plastic putty knife

[Lancelb3]

Try Goo Gone I have used it on many occasion and has work fabulously.

[marcjsmith]

i have used motsenbockers to remove stubborn adhesive residue. maybe it would soften up the adhesive through a paper based tape


i did use it to remove the protective paper backing from the fixed windows on my boat.



https://www.liftoffinc.com/products/...l-products/diy

[SeanPatrick]

OP says:

Originally Posted by sona1111

I've tried using [...] "goo-gone" type sprays to no help.

... and gets:

Originally Posted by Siberian Sea

I used a product called “ goo be gone” with great success. No harm to paint or gel coat.

Originally Posted by sail sfbay

Goo Gone.

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

I second this - its great stuff, takes off all kinds of residue, I've never had it damage a surface.

Originally Posted by Lancelb3

Try Goo Gone I have used it on many occasion and has work fabulously.