3M masking tape residue

Your engines look very nice and I don't see any adhesive residue in the pictures. I use ammoniated window cleaner to clean and remove dust and fingerprints from my trains. It is not harsh and does not seem to affect paint.

MELGAR

I have used WD-40, but apply sparingly; wipe the area off of any WD-40 immediately after the tape residue is removed; and test on a small, inconspicuous place first to make sure it does not harm the paint.

I have spilled GooGone on my trains several times.  I haven't noticed any paint damage when I wiped it off.  It might work.  You could try it on the bottom of the engine first.  It will take off tape residue.  

NH Joe

I use Naphtha (lighter fluid), it hasn't affected any paint I've used it on, and it takes most tape residue off quite quickly.

Thanks everyone- one guy even reccomended clear lamp fluid (low solvent based). I will test in small inconspicous place..main thing is to not attack the paint job surface.

I use Tamyia masking tape for my models and have not had any issues with residue left behind.  The adhesive is not as "sticky" and the tape is designed for use with models.  I also get the best results with crisper lines across details. 

Another technique I use is just plain paper under the tape on the areas I don't want to paint.  No adhesive at all in that case.

Just my technique.  It has worked well for me.

Sacrifice a piece of evergreen styrene first. Spray the paint on it and then test your goo remover of choice.

I think I would go for the goo gone, given that its safe for removing stickers, dealer labels, etc... from car paint and thats basically what you used. Mel's windex suggestion is also a safe bet.

Johnathan- thanks for the tip on Tamyia.  Is there a special type/size you use? Wondering about masking curves also.....

I use the standard 1/4" tape.  It is flexible for curves as well, but I haven't done very tight curves with it.  I suspect they make a product though more designed for curves as they cater to the larger model making crowd - mainly military and such from what I've seen over the years.

I'm not seeing any residue in the pictures. I will say that you shouldn't leave 3m green automotive masking tape in place for more than a day or two. After you've painted with automotive spray paint everything should be dry in a hour or two, so pull the tape off as soon as possible.

Another thing you can try is using a piece of that same tape to pick up the residue. Just wrap around your finger sticky side out and tap or roll your finger over the offending spot.

Then, next time take Jonathan's advice and use Tamiya tape!

WD-40 is right.

I've used butter to remove tape and sticker adhesive, might give that a try too.

Jerry

Another vote for WD-40

Nice restoration on those locos BTW!

I agree with wd40, I haven't had trouble with that on plastic with removing adhesive residue. That said, it is always smart to try it on a place you can't see to make sure, because plastics and paint can vary. Goo Gone might work as well, it is designed to clear off a variety of surfaces.

One hint with wd40 or anything you use, I recommend soaking a soft cloth with it, dab the cloth on the residue area, let it sit a little bit, and then gently rub with the cloth with very light pressure.

I saw a guy on a YouTube use olive oil on sticker adhesive and it worked perfectly.

@PRR1644 posted:

I saw a guy on a YouTube use olive oil on sticker adhesive and it worked perfectly.

Didn't Popeye complain? 

Mitch

Mitch, I am still laughing

😂 Mitch!

If Goo Gone doesn’t work the way you want, grab some Un-Du from the scrapbook section on your next trip to a big box store. It’s even better than Goo Gone, if a little pricey, and I’ve never had it damage anything. It was formulated to take stickers off scrapbook paper, stamps off envelopes and tape off packaging without damaging either the surface or the sticker (which is really convenient if you just need to reposition a label or whatever.)

I use mineral spirits or turpentine or enamel thinner, all the same.

Charlie