I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:59:54 -0400, JBI wrote:

I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

Try Goo Gone. Wipe a little bit in an inconspicuous place just to
make sure but it's safe with most finishes.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 20:23:20 -0400, J. Clarke
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:59:54 -0400, JBI wrote:

I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

Try Goo Gone. Wipe a little bit in an inconspicuous place just to
make sure but it's safe with most finishes.


One good use for WD40 too
just soak it and let it sit. After a couple days of soaking the tape
will generally just about slide off.

On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 7:59:57 PM UTC-4, JBI wrote:
I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

Test some lighter fluid in an inconspicuous place. Ronsonol cigarette light fluid, not barbecue
lighter fluid.

Soaks through the paper and leaves no residue.

On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:59:57 PM UTC-7, JBI wrote:
I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid ...

There have been a lot of different masking tapes since 1940.
Solvents that won't harm the wood-box finish include waterless
hand cleaner, and maybe (odorless) paint thinner, but NOT alcohol (it
would take off shellac). Anything brittle can be carefully scraped,
a razor scraper might be useful, just control the edge so
it does't dig into the wood.

Boiled linseed oil is a safe way to cover any dull spots, and a little
french polishing can make an old finish new again.

On 3/24/18 8:08 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 20:23:20 -0400, J. Clarke
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:59:54 -0400, JBI wrote:

I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

Try Goo Gone. Wipe a little bit in an inconspicuous place just to
make sure but it's safe with most finishes.


One good use for WD40 too
just soak it and let it sit. After a couple days of soaking the tape
will generally just about slide off.


Couple days!?
Clare, I've found that most goo removers do it in a few minutes.

Perhaps you need to be a little less patient with WD-40 next time.
I bet it works a lot faster than you think.

FWIW for anyone lurking, many cooking oils and sprays will do the trick
as well as goo-gone.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
www.mikedrums.com

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 22:01:46 -0500, -MIKE-
wrote:

On 3/24/18 8:08 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 20:23:20 -0400, J. Clarke
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:59:54 -0400, JBI wrote:

I have a 1940's wooden box with nice finish that was used to store a
scientific instrument. The problem is that someone kept taping over the
lid to keep the box closed while in storage. As a consequence, there
are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box surface in
various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the tape and residue
and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

Try Goo Gone. Wipe a little bit in an inconspicuous place just to
make sure but it's safe with most finishes.


One good use for WD40 too
just soak it and let it sit. After a couple days of soaking the tape
will generally just about slide off.


Couple days!?
Clare, I've found that most goo removers do it in a few minutes.

Perhaps you need to be a little less patient with WD-40 next time.
I bet it works a lot faster than you think.

FWIW for anyone lurking, many cooking oils and sprays will do the trick
as well as goo-gone.
GooGone damagess some finishes, and you can scratch dried tape off
with wd40 pretty quickly - but if it is soaked real well the tape
slides of - no damage to the shelac or laquer finish.

I likely left it a lot longer than required - but it worked.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:59:54 -0400
JBI wrote:

there are about 7 pieces of masking tape across the lid to box
surface in various stages of decay. Is there any way I remove the
tape and residue and keep the finish and wood intact? Thank you.

how will you keep it closed without the tape

the tape lends it character

I would start with olive oil if the antique is of real value (financial or sentimental).