Removing adhesive from brake light lenses

Removing adhesive from brake light lenses

Author
Discussion

Escort3500

Original Poster:

11,915 posts

146 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
Evening all

I'd appreciate any advice for removing adhesive residue from a pair of rear side/brake light lenses (plastic) for a Mk 2 Zephyr/Zodiac.

They're NOS and had masking tape on them containing the part no. I've managed to get the masking tape off but the adhesive residue won't budge and scraping it with my nails is likely to scratch the lens. Soaking the lenses in warm soapy water hasn't softened it either.

Any ideas please?

(Mods - please relocate if posted in the wrong section).

Dogwatch

6,229 posts

223 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
That's a shame, masking tape can be a right sod to shift if it has been left for a while - as you've discovered!
Suggestions:
- Meths
- WD40
plus some elbow grease with an old toothbrush

Cliftonite

8,411 posts

139 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
Re above, I have found WD-40 to be surprisingly effective at removing unwanted adhesive.



tapkaJohnD

1,943 posts

205 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
The right product can work better than any multipurpose nostrum!

"Label Remover" spray, softens thtr adhesive and turns it to a goo that can be wiped away with any remaining paper, and cleaned off with water.

See: http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/ppc108/label-remo...

Just a satisfied user.
JOhn

uk66fastback

16,565 posts

272 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
Lighter fluid. Soak, soak and resoak. Old MT is a bd to get off though

DAVEVO9

3,469 posts

268 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
WD-40 all day long.

Let it soak for a few mins first then rub with a cotton cloth.

It will def come off.

Do NOT use any type of thinners nail polish remover or anything like that. It will more than likely make it go opaque/cloudy

Astacus

3,383 posts

235 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
try white spirit, or paraffin, these are not strong solvents but work well on some glues, also, believe it or not, olive oil or butter....

Escort3500

Original Poster:

11,915 posts

146 months

Tuesday 28th March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll let you know how I get on smile

williamp

19,262 posts

274 months

Tuesday 28th March 2017
quotequote all
Petrol. A very good solvent. Soak a cloth and lay over the lenses.

Escort3500

Original Poster:

11,915 posts

146 months

Tuesday 28th March 2017
quotequote all
williamp said:
Petrol. A very good solvent. Soak a cloth and lay over the lenses.
Wouldn't that damage the plastic?

Riley Blue

20,973 posts

227 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
Escort3500 said:
williamp said:
Petrol. A very good solvent. Soak a cloth and lay over the lenses.
Wouldn't that damage the plastic?
I wouldn't risk it unless you can try it on an old lens first.

t400ble

1,804 posts

122 months

Escort3500

Original Poster:

11,915 posts

146 months

Friday 7th April 2017
quotequote all
Quick update. WD-40 did the trick so all good; thanks for the advice chaps.



DAVEVO9

3,469 posts

268 months

Friday 7th April 2017
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thumbup

Rich G

1,271 posts

219 months

Friday 7th April 2017
quotequote all
Duly noticed for further reference. :-)