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Suggestions on how to remove cellotape residue from case?

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alexh
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Suggestions on how to remove cellotape residue from case?

Post by alexh »

Hi, I've got a 520 ST shorty here that someone has in the past cello-taped what I assume must have been an FKEYS strip to the case. There are two yellow bands which would have been sticky residue at one point but it has been allowed to harden to a dark yellow hard substance.

I've tried warm and hot water and it has no effect. I am nervous to use PCB cleaner or anything too strong as it might change the colour of the plastic (and not work).

Anyone had experience of this before?

I might try a soft plastic pry tool if no-one can suggest a solvent.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove cellotape residue from case?

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 3:57 pm Hi, I've got a 520 ST shorty here that someone has in the past cello-taped what I assume must have been an FKEYS strip to the case. There are two yellow bands which would have been sticky residue at one point but it has been allowed to harden to a dark yellow hard substance.

I've tried warm and hot water and it has no effect. I am nervous to use PCB cleaner or anything too strong as it might change the colour of the plastic (and not work).

Anyone had experience of this before?

I might try a soft plastic pry tool if no-one can suggest a solvent.
Try WD40 (Penetrating oil), I used it to remove the glue from a BBC B keyboard surround and it was surprisingly good. I've also used Electrolube and it's equally good. Neither seem to adversely affect plastic either.

Both can be a bit greasy afterwards, but IPA or even soap and water seem to do a good job of cleaning it up.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove cellotape residue from case?

Post by Hellraiseruk »

Seconded, WD40 is brilliant for removing sticky residue.

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dml
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove cellotape residue from case?

Post by dml »

Yep, WD40 or petroleum from a car :p

note: always do a compatibility test on plastics, somewhere invisible, before getting solvents everywhere...
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