The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a black painted Edison horn that has petrified masking tape on it. Any suggestions for removing the old tape residue? I tried WD-40 with minimal results.

Thanks, Jerry Blais

Try a steam iron using a towel. You can also try a soaking in olive oil, or get some "Goof- Off" or even gasoline or lighter fluid. Test any solvents on an unobtrusive area first, though, as these old paints have no hardeners in them. If you need to scrape, use a "Bondo" plastic spatula available at a parts store.

I would try Goo-Gone since it won't remove paint like Goof-Off does... Goop might work, also.

You can also try acetone, (a.k.a. nail polish remover). Of course, test a small spot first!!

BTW, if you have an item with the old fashioned japanned enamel, such as an old phonograph horn, that someone has "restored" with spray paint, you can usually strip the spray paint off with acetone, which does not harm the japan enamel underneath, (after double checking with a small spot test!).

I've found that citrus cleaner works well for new and old adhesive (the old needs a bit of soaking and help). I've found that it doesn't mark or remove the surrounding areas on a variety of materials to the same degree as solvents, but I would strongly advise aggressively testing it on an unobtrusive area first. It's called "De-Solv-It" in Australia, I don't know what brand it will be where you are.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Jerry

Eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil also remove certain adhesive tape residues too. Neither would harm the paint but which one works best depends on what ingredients where used to make the tape sticky

When setting up our estate sales, we use Suave hand lotion with cocoa butter and shea butter. It is easy on the wood and easy on your hands all at the same time
Mike