Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtbikerxz
We used double sided tape last year to stick down all of the components of the control system. We have to reuse the system, so what's the best way to remove the double sided tape cleanly and easily. (The tape is super super sticky/strong).
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If you can use a heat gun to apply heat to the surface material (from below) that you want the tape to come clean from, then do that and apply light tension pulling it away at a 90º angle from the surface. Avoid too much heat hitting the tape itself. The idea is to lower the viscosity of the adhesive, at the bonding layer only, to increase its elasticity there and reduce its peel strength.
Once softened, it must be peeled SLOWLY, and you must watch the adhesive stretching as it lets go, to regulate the force you apply! Too rapid peeling will leave more adhesive residue on surface you want to be clean.
If selective patches of adhesive remain stuck to surface you want clean, then dab the removed tape face's adhesive back against the surface a few times to re-bond the remaining patches over onto to the removed adhesive. They should stick preferentially to the removed adhesive tape face more so than to the surface being cleaned, and just by the number of press and remove cycles, nearly all residue should gradually let go, and transfer over to the removed tape face.
It is a process that requires patience to end up with the best results.
If the heat can only be applied to the tape side, and pass through the tape to reach the surface, the heating must be done much more gradually, bucause if the tape is much hotter than the surface, the adhesive will tent to release from the tape sooner than from the surface. Works best when surface is warmer than the tape, or at least they are equal.
However, heat can be applied from tape side , as long as it is done more gradually, allowing enough time for heat to conduct through the tape. Foam tapes act like insulators, so they need even MORE gradual heating (or baking) time if you must heat the surface below from the tape side via a heat source conducting through the tape.
-Dick Ledford
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