DIY incident - HELP!

[Danny]

When we recently redecorated my son's bedroom we left masking tape on the window panes for a little longer than the recommended 2 hours - well for about 4 days, actually.

When we came to remove it we found that it had left a hard residue on the windows which has so far proved impossible to remove.

Can anyone suggest a way of getting this off?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Have you tried a blade? - say a Stanley knife blade to scrape the gunge off.

 

[gbb]

You can buy label remover in an aerosol can, but i've no idea where the public would buy it. We use it at work, almost guaranteed to do it, it breaks down the adhesive.
Stationers maybe ?

 

[Noodley]

I was going to suggest label remover as well, you should be able to pick it up from a wholesale stationers.

 

[Globalti]

Yep. Buy a scraper with a Stanley blade in it. When you next paint window frames, paint onto the glass to seal around the edges then leave the paint to dry for a few hours before scraping it off with the blade, if you go carefully you can leave a nice even narrow band of paint on the actual glass. Much quicker and more satisfying than messing around with masking tape.

 

[rich p]

White spirit should do it if it's still gluey but I'd use a Stanley blade scraper if the residual adhesive is dry enough

 

[661-Pete]

Work hard at it with white spirit, it will eventually soften and rub off. I find it most effective to alternate using a wet cloth (wet with white spirit that is) and a dry cloth. There is a risk that some of the newly-applied paint on the frame will come off as well, but shouldn't be a problem to touch that up.

 

[John Ponting]

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/51059...aning-_-De.Solv.It Sticky Stuff Remover 200ml

 

[Aperitif]

You can get label remover in Maplins too...use it a lot. Lighter fuel is also handy stuff for the adhesophobics among you!

 

[Crankarm]

Have you tried a blade? - say a Stanley knife blade to scrape the gunge off.

You will scratch the glass. Don't use this method otherwise you'll wish you hadn't . Use a solvent instead.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

You will scratch the glass. Don't use this method otherwise you'll wish you hadn't . Use a solvent instead.

Keep the blade flat and it'll be fine - just because you're ham-fisted!

 

[Fnaar]

White spirit should do it if it's still gluey but I'd use a Stanley blade scraper if the residual adhesive is dry enough

That's what I did. Mine had been there for 9 months
Not an actual Stanley knife, but one of these fellas.

 

[Mr Pig]

You shouldn't have to scrape it. Either water, white spirit or at worst thinners will take it off. The trick is to give it time to soak in. There's no point in rubbing like mad with a wet cloth, wipe over it with the cloth, leave for a few minutes and repeat until the glue has soaked up the water and gone soft.

 

[rich p]

That's what I did. Mine had been there for 9 months
Not an actual Stanley knife, but one of these fellas.

That's the kiddy!

 

[Danny]

Thanks for all the replies. Have already tried white spirit and WD40 (well, you never know what it might be good for).

While now try label remover and Fnaar's tool.