Brown Parcel Tape - Sticky Residue

Channel Hopper

Channel Hopper

Suffering fools, so you don't have to.
Staff member
My Satellite Setup
A little less analogue, and a lot more crap.
My Location
UK
As there is no house DIY thread

I've been roped in by the neighbour (actually plied with alcohol for the past month with promise of more) to sort out the windows for the winter.

They are an older style UPVC frame with double glazing and some of the seals have gone hard with the algae that has been breeding over the years, but these can be cleaned with solvent and rubber solution to get them back into order.

The main issue is the look of the frames themselves where the previous owner fitted some cellophane over the double glazing with brown parcel tape and nothing I have wants to remove the residue even though the tape itself has been pulled off.

So, what solvent or technique could get rid of the stuff ?

Thanks in advance.20181002_192343.webp
 
Try white spirit and if that fails, acetone should shift it.
 
I have turps substitute here (and methylated sprits), which don't do much, apart from stink the room out.

What outlets sell acetone ?
 
Before going to acetone I would try some petroleum distillate. I don't know what it's called in the UK as I buy it in France.
 
Isopropyl alcohol
 
Get some ""Goof-off"" but try anything in a place that may not be too visible, otherwise you could melt the finish off it.

I find Colman lantern fuel (white gas) to work just as good as most paint thinners or removers.
 
Superdrug do an acetone nail varnish remover, and, of course, try on small spot to test.
 
I do believe nail polish remover and acetone are the same thing but am also sure that they could melt the surface of the window frame, but a small test with a cotton bud and acetone will determine that before too much damage is done
 
OK, I contacted a painter friend, he says to use mineral spirits on a terry cloth towl, don't scrub too hard you may rub off the sheen.

Don't use acetone, it will soften up the PVC and remove it..
 
Try SWMBO's hair dryer on a low heat level to soften the residue - then acetone / nail varnish remover (SWMBO's, again!) and a plastic scraper. OTOH, IPA might then also work?
PS: I keep a 5l can of cellulose thinners ("Premium" - not"Cleaning" grade as that smells horrible!) handy for difficult cleaning jobs. Works quite well, but don't use much or for too long. Another alternative might be brake disc cleaner - not as agressive as cellulose thinners, but can work in many situations.
 
Last edited:
Brake disc cleaner is probably the same or similar to the petroleum distillate I mentioned. It might also be the same/ similar as the degreaser I used to use as final wash of car bodywork when I used to paint cars.

Acetone is major ingredient in nail polish remover iirc. Amyl acetate is another liquid ingredient that comes to mind.
 
General workshop / engine cleaners like "Hyperclens" are also probably quite similar.
 
IPA and any staining use Bar Keepers Friend (Swear by that stuff)
 
Isopropyl alcohol, Zippo lighter fuel, brake cleaner, they all work well to remove tape residues... :)
 
Hot air gun or a hair dryer will soften it nicely ready for the solvent, it will come off like a TV advert from Barry Scott.
 
Back
Top