Removing sticky residue

I recommend trying WD-40. Spray it onto a bit of soft tissue or toilet paper, then carefully rub the sticky area with the soft tissue. I have successfully used WD-40 to remove loads of sticker and tape residue from bubbles over the years, and even from cards in extreme cases (although great care must be taken as it is oil, after all, and too much risks staining the card). Once the bubble is free from the residue, carefully wipe off any excess WD-40 (although most of it will evaporate quickly), and then wet another soft tissue and carefully wipe the bubble surface down with that, then dry with another soft tissue. If any residue remains after that, repeat the process.

I jokingly refer to WD-40 as a universal solvent as is seems to be amazingly good at removing or dissolving all kinds of unwanted substances / residues (insert your own joke here :wink: ). I highly recommend it.
 
Orange based adhesive cleaners are a safe way to remove sticky residue from plastic. Just be sure to avoid using anything that is solvent based. You can also get alcohol wipes which are used in the medical profession for removing adhesive residue from patients skin so it's a fairly gentle cleaner.
 
Mr Sheen is pretty good. It's water based so go easy on the card same as you would putting any water near card. Spray on a lint free cloth and carefully wipe.

I've never tried it but I would be wary of WD40 simply because A. it smells strongly, and B. it's oil based. WD40 is excellent for cleaning residue off metal but not sure about plastic. Certainly wouldn't get it on card just in case it has chemicals that can damage print.
 
BlueDog said:
Orange based adhesive cleaners are a safe way to remove sticky residue from plastic. Just be sure to avoid using anything that is solvent based. You can also get alcohol wipes which are used in the medical profession for removing adhesive residue from patients skin so it's a fairly gentle cleaner.


I agree with this and use something called gone goo which works well.

Ian
 
x-pack said:
Mr Sheen is pretty good. It's water based so go easy on the card same as you would putting any water near card. Spray on a lint free cloth and carefully wipe.

I've never tried it but I would be wary of WD40 simply because A. it smells strongly, and B. it's oil based. WD40 is excellent for cleaning residue off metal but not sure about plastic. Certainly wouldn't get it on card just in case it has chemicals that can damage print.

With respect, there's nothing to be wary about. To repeat, I have used it successfully many, many times to remove sticker residue from card bubbles with no ill effects at all. I appreciate if you've never tried it, it might sound weird or even risky, but it really isn't. It smells strongly because the oil is suspended in volatile hydrocarbons which evaporate very readily (as they are designed to do, to leave the oil behind where you've deposited it) and hence reach your nose. And although I did say that I jokingly refer to it as a universal solvent, it's never damaged any plastic that I've used it on, and I've used it on plenty.

As for getting it on the card, well yes, I would certainly avoid that if possible, which is why I use it sprayed onto a tissue first rather than directly onto the bubble. However, I have cleaned tape residue successfully from a Palitoy full colour AT-AT box using the same method, after all other attempts at removing the residue failed. WD-40 not only did the trick, but again, there were no lasting ill effects. I'm not saying it's my cleaning method of choice for cards or boxes (although it certainly is for plastic bubbles), but in a pinch, providing you're careful, it can be used successfully.

Having said all of that, whilst I have never used 'Goo gone' myself before, if that is a product specifically designed to remove sticker residue, then I would be foolish to question the other users here that have recommended it. All I'm saying is that if you don't have any 'Goo gone', WD-40 is perfectly safe to use on plastic in the way I described in my first post.
 
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