Removing Buff Tape

[skidmark]

Just stripped the old sails off my Challenger to find that the leading edge and trailing edge have brown buff tape on. It looks bad and I would like to clean it off and replace with some new stuff. I have tried thinners, acetone and paint remover. The only one that sort of helps is thinners but, it takes 1 litre to move 500mm. I rap a cloth around the tubing and soak with thinners and wait a LONG time. ANY SUGGESTIONS??? All welcome please!!! (Not sure if this post should be under technical? If so please Mr moderator move it.)

[KFA]

Try Silicone remover or Automotive pre-cleaner available from most automotive paint shops. Works like nothing else

[Low Level]

The same stuff you fly with - 93 mogas.

I wrapped my bicycle going down to the Argus. Same sh!t.

Petrol is enige gom se baas.

[skidmark]

Try Silicone remover or Automotive pre-cleaner available from most automotive paint shops. Works like nothing else

Sorry this doesn't work either. It will remove the glue stuff but does not break down the plastic tape itself. Can't find anything that can get through this.
Need something to penertrate the plastic film first the rest is easier.

[Grumpy]

Hey Skiddo, You need some grease.............................. Elbow Grease

[mak]

The same stuff you fly with - 93 mogas.

I wrapped my bicycle going down to the Argus.

Didn't know we had 93 mogas in the country that long ago

[vernon11]

Try Silicone remover or Automotive pre-cleaner available from most automotive paint shops. Works like nothing else

Sorry this doesn't work either. It will remove the glue stuff but does not break down the plastic tape itself. Can't find anything that can get through this.
Need something to penertrate the plastic film first the rest is easier.

Dont laugh!! But try parrafin. Let it soak for quite a while, then try.

[skidmark]

I'm kind of gatvol now. Got a Bosch heat gun going give that a go tomorrow. Object is to get the actual tape off. To clean the glue stuff is not a hassle. There are tons of products to do that, most I have mentioned before. Fortunately I'm removing from bare aluminum not a painted surface. I was given a special wheel to try that panel shops use, a German product looks like a biscuit and smells quite lekker too. Attach to a drill and it works like a dream at R250.00 a wheel. Comes from the suppliers packed in a box of two. I think little to expensive to remove buff tape! So lets see what tomorrow brings!!!

[Duck Rogers]

Benzine and elbow grease....

[skidmark]

Ok, I'm done 1 nil...buff tape wins! Calling it a day and leaving the old stuff there. Morph the genius, the maestro rolled up his sleeves and showed me how to do the stits on the wing tips. First wing recovered hopefully next weekend we can finish the second one and the following weekend I will have to be test pilot. But so far what a difference to that old crappy wing covering. It looks absolutely awesome. Thanks to Morph and my mate Joe. aka "Pinkfloyd"