Cleaning up duct-tape goo?

[usernamenumber]

I've one last task to complete before I'm officially moved out of BCOS (should write more about that some time...).

See, I hung some stuff on my walls and door with duct tape. Not the best plan in retrospect, as it seems that after three years of cycling through New England temperatures, it has left a really stubborn, sticky, duct-tape-colored residue on said surfaces.

Someone suggested a product called goo-be-gone, or something like that, and I can give it a try, but I'm sure I handled a similar situation in a previous house with something I concocted out of ordinary household ingredients (cue flash-forward to me managing to blow up BCOS trying to clean the walls).

I only have time for one shot at this, so... suggestions?

Comments

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest Goo-B-Gone (I think that's the actual brand name), but for household remedies, eHow (http://www.ehow.com/how_6725723_homemade-adhesive-remover.html) has a number of suggestions, including baby oil, vinegar, baking soda, and peanut butter (mmm, licking the walls clean...).

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Goof off, same idea. Do a small section at a time with good ventilation.

Simple Green might also work and is non toxic and not a flame hazard. Spray it in full strength and let it sit 5ish minutes.

With thick residue you might be scraping more than wiping...use a durable cloth and change sections frequently.

[laurion]

Goo Gone and Goof Off are the two brand name products. Both are pretty corrosive to gunk, one more so than the other.

Might also try one of those 'Magic eraser' things

[acousticshadow2.livejournal.com]

I've always found Goo Gone http://theexpiredmeter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/goo-gone.jpg to be what I turn to.

Nail polish remover, also degreasing dish detergent can be useful.

[sprrwhwk.livejournal.com]

Goo Gone and most other adhesive-remover products are dilute acetone, as is nail polish remover. Acetone in all its many forms works wonders and is what I'd recommend.

[beowabbit]

Goo Gone or Goof Off might discolor the walls where you use them, but sounds like you don’t have much choice.

You can also try (depending on the surface and what you think is going to do the least damage) cooking oil or alcohol.

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

I don't have any advice unfortunately, but I have to say that goo-be-gone is an awesome name for such a product.

[londo.livejournal.com]

Vinegar is perfectly serviceable here, but will be slow, and difficult to let soak into a vertical surface. If possible damage/bleaching to the underlying paint is not a problem, acetone will get the job done. (Possible fix: Have a second rag, or better sponge, wet with water, nearby to clean the area the moment the paint goo disappears, removing the acetone.) Rubbing alcohol should also work and shouldn't bleach anything.

The definitive authority on this, though - talk to juldea's Wumpus and treat whatever he says as gospel.

I, uh... the peanut butter thing might actually work. I want to try that now.

[londo.livejournal.com]

Oh, certain types of dish soap might also be effective if you are prepared to scrub real hard.

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

Organic solvents for the win. Goo-be-gone is least damaging to underlying surfaces.

Your enemies in adhesive removal are the time it takes for product to be removed, and the coefficient of friction, so I would suggest nitrile gloves (to deal with the time factor -- no one wants organic solvents seeping into skin, as they are toxic and, depending what you use, could poison you andor take skin off), and... some kind of scrapey thingey. Like, a spackling tool or etc. This will likely make the process more efficient.

Ditto on whoever said, wipe with a second, watery sponge.

Heloise also suggests mineral oil and a scrubby thing.
http://amarillo.com/stories/061909/fea_fea6.shtml

Likely if you have a one-treatment window of time to do this job, you'll have to decide between leaving some amount of duct tape residue behind, and... removing varnish/paint. Um. Good luck! ^*^