Lighter fuel? Or other? Best removal technique for residue etc from masking tape

Ricky B · February 27, 2025, 01:59:19 PM

A quick leg up please. After a lengthy masking job involving my Farish class 40, there are sticky areas on bonnet and nose where masking tape now removed, was left in place, probably, too long. Before weathering begins, I want to remove this sticky film but it's stubborn. What should I use? Isopropyl alcohol? Lighter fuel? I don't want to affect paint or remove numerals etc..

Just wanted to gauge opinion.

Joker56 · February 27, 2025, 03:40:56 PM

Quote from: Ricky B on February 27, 2025, 01:59:19 PMA quick leg up please. After a lengthy masking job involving my Farish class 40, there are sticky areas on bonnet and nose where masking tape now removed, was left in place, probably, too long. Before weathering begins, I want to remove this sticky film but it's stubborn. What should I use? Isopropyl alcohol? Lighter fuel? I don't want to affect paint or remove numerals etc..

Just wanted to gauge opinion.

Hi, I have used WD40 with a soft cloth numerous times to remove left over sticky patches, hope this helps
Joker56 aka Peter

Newportnobby · February 27, 2025, 03:50:00 PM

Definitely NOT IPA!!

Having dropped a small drop onto a Farish coach roof I have seen what it does to the paint

Ricky B · February 28, 2025, 08:16:17 AM

Quote from: Joker56 on February 27, 2025, 03:40:56 PM
Quote from: Ricky B on February 27, 2025, 01:59:19 PMA quick leg up please. After a lengthy masking job involving my Farish class 40, there are sticky areas on bonnet and nose where masking tape now removed, was left in place, probably, too long. Before weathering begins, I want to remove this sticky film but it's stubborn. What should I use? Isopropyl alcohol? Lighter fuel? I don't want to affect paint or remove numerals etc..

Just wanted to gauge opinion.

Hi, I have used WD40 with a soft cloth numerous times to remove left over sticky patches, hope this helps
Joker56 aka Peter

I didn't think of that. Will give it a try..thanks Peter

Ricky B · February 28, 2025, 08:18:30 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on February 27, 2025, 03:50:00 PMDefinitely NOT IPA!!
Having dropped a small drop onto a Farish coach roof I have seen what it does to the paint

I hear you! I'll stick to cleaning my rails with it..! Cheers.

icairns · February 28, 2025, 07:54:48 PM

I have always used Goo Gone for removing glue residue. As far as I know (and I don't know that much) it does not affect plastic or paintwork. I think it is also available in the UK. It is available in different size containers but the photo shows a small 1 fl oz bottle.

Ian

Bealman · February 28, 2025, 10:45:37 PM

The stuff in the bottle looks pretty gooey itself!

icairns · March 01, 2025, 01:58:54 AM

Quote from: Bealman on February 28, 2025, 10:45:37 PMThe stuff in the bottle looks pretty gooey itself!

I agree! I have probably had this bottle for twenty years and I just keep topping it up from a larger container because the small bottle fits neatly on my workbench. I never noticed the grunge in the bottom, but the stuff still works.

Ian

Cols · May 25, 2025, 12:17:09 AM

I have been a scale modeller (1/72, 1/48 aircraft, and 1/700 ships) "ever since Pontius was a pilot", as the saying goes. I have been using airbrushes in my modelling since the mid-1970s, and have never had masking-tape residue adhering to any model since I (very quickly) stopped using "bog standard" masking-tape and moved over to Tamiya's masking tape (other modellers' masking-tapes are available). It doesn't seem to matter for how long you leave this type of tape in place on a model - well, so long as it's not for an excessively long time. Tamiya tape is removable cleanly, without leaving a deposit; this may be because it is a relatively low-tack tape. Frankly, I wouldn't use anything else.