How to remove tape from plastic in 1 minute, even if it’s very “stuck”?

Laundry soap, vinegar, alcohol, sunflower oil or a special Anti-Scotch product - it’s up to you to choose how to wash the tape off plastic. Use brushes, baking soda, nail polish remover, hair dryer and various household chemicals with caution. Plastic is different from plastic. Many species scratch easily and lose color.

Reasons for the appearance of tape marks on plastic

Stationery tape and any other tape leave sticky marks on any hard materials (glass, wood, metal, smooth stone, plastic, etc.). The reason lies in the presence of an adhesive base. It can be thick and thin, rubber, acrylic. Scotch tape consists of tape (PVC film, foil, paper) and 1 or 2 layers of glue if the tape is double-sided.

The adhesive composition is separated from the tape during its dismantling.

You can remove the tape without leaving marks only if it is not firmly stuck or the glue has not had time to “set.”

The likelihood that the tape will leave marks on the plastic increases:

• if the adhesive tape has been glued for a long time;
• the adhesive tape is of poor quality: the glue does not adhere well to the tape itself;
• adhesive base with a high degree of stickiness (adhesion);
• The pasted product is heated.

The most difficult thing to wash off is plastic that is regularly exposed to the sun, blown by the wind and covered with dirt. Over time, the glue becomes rock hard and “sticks” very firmly to the surface.

Available means

With traces of ordinary stationery tape, as well as with recently pasted tape, improvised means work well. In 90% of cases you will not have to resort to special compounds.

Soap

The alkali contained in the soap softens and partially dissolves the glue on the tape. The adhesive tape is easy to remove. Glue marks are also removed. Soap helps remove masking tape from window plastic. It can be used to remove stickers from bottles, flexible plastic parts, and children's toys.

Dark laundry soap does a better job of removing tape than others because it contains more alkali.

There are two ways to wash plastic:

• Soapy cloth. Soak a cloth in very hot water. Lather generously with a bar of soap. Wipe off the tape or its traces, starting from the edge. Wet and soap the cloth again from time to time. Instead of a rag, you can use a brush or sponge for washing dishes.
• Using a soap solution. Grate the soap on a coarse grater. Prepare a solution using 1 liter of boiling water and 100 g of soap shavings. Cool slightly. Immerse the plastic item that needs to be cleaned. Wait 20-30 minutes. The tape and glue will begin to come off. All that remains is to remove the marks with your hands or a brush. The volume of liquid can be increased if necessary, but the specified proportions must be observed.

Oil

Vegetable oil is assistant number 1 in the fight against sticky marks and the stickers themselves. The most common oil used is sunflower. Necessary:

1. Pour some oil into a container.
2. Soak a cotton pad (cotton cloth if the area to be cleaned is large).
3. Wipe off the glue from the tape or the tape itself, starting from the edge.
4. Wipe the clean surface with a damp cloth or cotton wool soaked in vodka or alcohol.

It usually takes a minimum of effort and time to completely clean the surface. The adhesive coating rolls off easily. Treatment with vodka helps remove oily stains.

Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is good for removing residual adhesive from tape, as well as erasing fresh traces. The procedure is as follows:

1. Soak a cotton pad or cloth in alcohol.
2. Rub the stained area.
3. If the glue remains, place a cotton pad on top, cover with film and wait 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove contamination.
5. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth soaked in warm, clean water.

An alternative to rubbing alcohol can be vodka, an antiseptic, or another alcohol-based product that does not contain dyes.

Advice. If the tape mark is fresh, a sanitary napkin containing alcohol or an antiseptic will do the job of cleaning the plastic.

Soda

To remove adhesive marks on embossed and rough plastic, use baking soda. You can also clean glossy plastic, but using a special method. How to remove glue from tape with soda:

• Made from glossy plastic. Mix 1 tbsp. l. baking soda and 1 tsp. hot water. You will get a paste that should be applied to the dirt. After 3 minutes, rinse with warm water. Wipe off the glue with a wet cloth. You cannot rub it together with soda; the glossy plastic may be scratched.
• Made from durable textured plastic. Baking soda is an alkali and an abrasive.With its help, you can not only soften the glue from the tape, but also clean it out of the recesses. Prepare a solution from baking soda: 1 tbsp. l. soda and 1 tsp. liquid soap. The pulp is spread over the surface. After 3 minutes, wipe off traces of tape with a soft brush, sponge or rag.

Eraser

A high-quality school eraser can remove even old traces of glue. You need to slowly rub the plastic. The tape will clump together. If the glue is fresh and the stain is small, the problem will be solved in less than a minute.

Advice. If the effectiveness is insufficient, use an eraser paired with a hairdryer, oil, alcohol, and vinegar.

Attention! Do not use the hard side of the eraser on glossy surfaces.

Nail polish remover

Nail polish remover with acetone softens old tape marks. The method is often used to clean windows and glassware.

Attention! This method is not safe for plastic. Nail polish remover can damage polystyrene, polyacrylates, epoxy resins, chlorinated rubber, vinyl chloride copolymers and other materials.

Before trying the method, you need to conduct a test in an inconspicuous place. Moisten the ear stick in the product and place it on the plastic part. If after 15 minutes the material does not fade or change in any way, you can begin to remove adhesive traces (old tape).

What to do:

1. Soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover.
2. Place it on tape or a trace of it.
3. Place cling film on top to prevent the product from evaporating and drying out.
4. Wait 15 minutes.
5. Peel off the tape with a confident movement.
6. Wipe off the glue with a cloth soaked in the same liquid.

If the case is complex, the compress may need to be reapplied.

Dishwashing liquid

You can easily remove the tape and wash the adhesive with dishwashing detergent, provided it was recently applied. You need to do the following:

1. Apply a thin layer of dishwashing detergent to the edges of the adhesive tape.
2. Soak a cloth in hot water and wring out.
3. Cover with tape.
4. After 3 minutes, rub the edge of the tape.
5. Pick up the tape with your fingernail.
6. Pull slowly, while cleaning off the adhesive residue with a rag soaked in dishwashing detergent.

Vinegar

Table vinegar contains an acid that dissolves some adhesives. The advantage is that vinegar is safe for most types of plastic, disinfects the surface, and evaporates quickly.

Necessary:

1. Soak a cotton pad in 9% table vinegar.
2. Try to wipe the glue off the tape.
3. If it does not work, leave the cotton wool on the dirt. Press the bag tightly on top.
4. Try again after 15 minutes.
5. For greater effectiveness, vinegar can be slightly heated to 40 degrees (use a water bath).

Hairdryer

To clean hard plastic, you can use a household hair dryer or a hair dryer if the plastic is heat-resistant. Instructions:

1. Arm yourself with a hairdryer, a basin and a rag.
2. Turn on the hairdryer to blow hot (as many degrees as the plastic being cleaned can withstand).
3. Direct it to the stuck tape or traces of it.
4. Let it sit for 30-60 seconds until it warms up decently.
5. Wipe off with a wet cloth.

You can use regular warm water or soap solution. The principle of operation is simple: under the influence of temperature, the adhesive tape softens, becomes pliable, and the adhesive trace comes off the surface more easily.

Advice. Instead of a hairdryer, you can use a steamer. It works even better, but the plastic must be heat-resistant and not flimsy.

Scotch

The method is effective against fresh traces of adhesive from tape.Guaranteed not to damage the surface, does not require water, brushes or any other auxiliary tools. What to do:

1. Apply stationery tape to the fresh remaining glue.
2. Smooth.
3. Tear it off with a jerk.
4. Repeat several times to clean the plastic completely.

Household chemicals

Household chemicals are guaranteed to help remove traces of tape on plastic. Many of them are suitable for cleaning plastics, but there are some that are not. Read the instructions carefully before purchasing (application).

Window cleaning products

This is not the most effective remedy for tape marks, but if you already have it on hand, why not try it. When the glue is fresh, the procedure is pleasing with the result. Necessary:

1. Spray window cleaner onto the edge of the tape (remaining adhesive).
2. Wait 5-7 minutes.
3. Wipe off with a cloth.

Antiscotch product

Seeing the torment of people with cleaning various surfaces from adhesive tape and the glue that remains after it, manufacturers of household chemicals have released a special product called “Antiscotch”. Most often it comes in the form of an aerosol, which is convenient to spray on any objects and surfaces.

Anti-scotches come in 2 main categories: household and automotive. They dissolve the adhesive base of the sticker, after which the tape falls off. Suitable for cleaning almost any surface: glass, ceramic, metal, plastic, including painted ones. Cost – 150-250 rubles and more.

Instructions for use may vary slightly. But basically Antiscotch is used as follows:

1. Clean the surface from dirt.
2. Shake the can before use.
3. Spray the product from a distance of 15-20 cm.
4. Apply to the tape itself and to its edges.
5. Wait 2-3 minutes.
6. Pull the edge of the tape.
7. Slowly remove the tape, spraying Anti-Scotch under the tape.
8. To remove a thick sticky residue, apply the product for 3 minutes and scrape off with a soft spatula.
9. If necessary, re-process.
10. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth or napkin.

On average, one can of 200 ml is enough to clean 1 square meter. m. Companies: Konoos, ASTROhim, KUDO, Farant, PROSEPT and others.

Antistatic

Remains of adhesive tape on thin and soft plastic, glasses, etc. are removed with antistatic agents for electronics (computer equipment, screens, etc.). Special wipes impregnated with the composition are highly effective and gentle cleansing. Fresh traces of tape can be wiped off immediately, but old ones will have to be held under a napkin for a while to get wet.

Melamine sponge

To remove tape from plastic, you will need a melamine eraser sponge. It is 100% melamine foam, effective against glue and other stains on a variety of surfaces.

The method of use is simple, you need:

1. Wear rubber gloves.
2. Wet the plastic or the sponge itself with warm water.
3. Wipe off traces of glue.

Usually even old dried glue can be wiped off without effort. Melamine sponge does not harm plastic surfaces: kitchen facades, household appliances, window profiles.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to use a melamine sponge to clean dishes and various kitchen utensils in which food is stored or used for cooking.

Taygeta S-405

Powerful stain remover containing more than 30% cycloparaffin hydrocarbons. "Taygeta S-405" is successfully used to remove tape residues and traces of glue at home. They also remove stains from bitumen, ink, shoe polish, lipstick, etc.Refers to professional products, suitable for most hard surfaces, as well as textiles and carpets. Costs about 350 rubles. per bottle of 500 ml (spray). Does not have a pungent odor.

How to clean plastic from tape and glue using Taygeta S-405 stain remover:

1. Apply to the area of ​​contamination.
2. Wait 30 seconds (up to 3 minutes).
3. Wipe off the adhesive with a cleaning cloth, removing the tape.

Useful tips

The most important advice is not to start the problem: removing old dried tape and its traces is much more difficult. If you realize it soon, any cleaning methods will do.

5 useful tips to listen to:

• Don't start with aggressive remedies. First, try washing the plastic with soap, cleaning it with vegetable oil, alcohol, an eraser, and vinegar.
• Before using chemicals, always test its effect on plastic in an inconspicuous place. Keep in mind that negative consequences may not be immediately noticeable. Carry out the test for as long as you plan to keep the product.
• Do not use hard brushes or abrasives - most types of plastic will scratch and transparent plastic will become cloudy.
• Avoid using sharp objects: knives, scissors, spatulas, etc. They will likely scratch the plastic. It's better to use an old bank card or a rubber spatula.
• Large areas are recommended to be divided into sections. Do not apply the product to the entire surface to be cleaned at once. The composition will dry out and become less effective.

Question answer

How long does the tape last?

The adhesive base is very durable and can remain on plastic for 50 years or longer.

Which tape is the hardest to remove?

Reinforced plumbing tape is considered the strongest and most wear-resistant of all types of adhesive tape.

How long does it take to remove masking tape?

3-4 hours after finishing painting work. Cleaning of adhesive traces (if any) is carried out immediately after the finishing material has completely dried.

Scotch tape is a practical product that is often used in everyday life. It is excellent for temporary fixation, protecting the surface from paint and other contaminants. The only side effect is the adhesive residue it leaves on plastic and other materials. It is almost impossible to avoid the problem, but you can quickly solve it. If the contamination is old, ingrained, and hard as a stone, we advise you not to waste time and effort on improvised means, but to immediately use the special Anti-Scotch aerosol.