How to remove real old masking tape ?

[nekshot]

How do you remove old masking tape that is brittle its self from a old 160 or more year old gun stock that has spectacular curly maple stock.
The stock has some length ways cracks that somebody wrapped with masking tape. I don't think chemicals is a good idea. I also believe it is best to keep the stock and barrel together with the pins in place. I was thinking of using liquid loctite crazy glue or the gel type to fix the cracks. I will have to keep current finish protected!! Some body might end up thinking I am a genius or that I am the biggest jerk around! Sound proven advise always appreciated.

[dondiego]

Goo-Gone works but it is a chemical. You will need to refinish the stock any way though.

[sundog]

Lighter fluid?

[owejia]

Maybe a big rubber eraser or steel wool.

[ShooterAZ]

Mineral spirits might work, it's fairly gentle on stuff.

[retread]

I prefer "Oops!" cleaner. I does a better job than Goo-Gone and if used carefully does not seen to harm existing finish. Filling the cracks will be the tough one if you are trying to retain the original finish.

[retread]

Mineral spirits might work, it's fairly gentle on stuff.

You also might try denatured alcohol.

[fast ronnie]

Maybe try using an old popsicle stick.I've cleaned quite a few stickers that way. I like goo-gone, too, but don't know if if would hurt the finish. I've used it on a lot of different surfaces and haven't seen any damage done to what I've used it on. Might try it on something else first.

[fast ronnie]

Just thought of something else that I have used successfully. A friend borrowed my dually and drove through a mud hole that was in reality , latex paint. It took off all the latex, but did not hurt the finish on the truck. I think we got it at Walmart. Took a lot of rubbing and time, but came off. I didn't want to hurt the paint, as it was a custom job.
Name of the stuff is 'Krud Cutter.'

[jcren]

A bit of heat from a heat gun or hair dryer and a soft wood or plastic scraper usually does the trick with old furniture finishes, dont recall trying it on a gun stock thouugh.

[Grmps]

depending on the finish of your gun, Murphy's oil soap might work

https://www.google.com/search?q=murp...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[waksupi]

Soak with mineral spirits. Once the tape will lift off, use the mineral spirits and a shop rag to rub off the residue.

[BrassMagnet]

WD-40 is what the CMP Armorers recommend. It will loosen adhesive, cosmoline, etc. without harming normal finishes.

Spray.
Wait.
Wipe off with paper towels.

I've done this over and over without harming finishes!

[nekshot]

you guys are making me feel brave! I have a gallon of mineral spirits and wd40.Masking tape here I come.

[BrassMagnet]

you guys are making me feel brave! I have a gallon of mineral spirits and wd40.Masking tape here I come.

Just WD-40!

It is 160+ years old! Why rush it?

Spray liberally with WD-40 and then go take a break. It might take a few applications to soak the paper before it starts on the adhesive. When the adhesive is well soaked it will just wipe off easily. Spray again and wait again if needed.

[mattw]

I have used steam from a boiling tea pot snout to warm and moisten it. Then it comes right off.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

My first thought was WD40, but if the tape was over the cracks you want to 'super glue', then I wouldn't want WD40 to seep/wick into the crack.

My second thought was MS...and since waksupi mentioned MS, I would think that would be the way to go...except I don't know how super glue acts on wood if a trace of MS remains?

I did have a third thought of Murphy's oil soap like Grmps mentioned...since it is water soluble...clean up in the cracks to prep for super glue would be ideal.

[Texas by God]

A bit of heat from a heat gun or hair dryer and a soft wood or plastic scraper usually does the trick with old furniture finishes, dont recall trying it on a gun stock thouugh.

I have used this trick as well and it worked. I can see WD-40 working as well. That is how I clean Tru oil off of my hands.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Butler Ford]

WD-40 is what the CMP Armorers recommend. It will loosen adhesive, cosmoline, etc. without harming normal finishes.

Spray.
Wait.
Wipe off with paper towels.

I've done this over and over without harming finishes!

^^This^^

BF

[bstone5]

A heat gun and a little rubbing with a paper towel, be patient, it will take some time, do not over heat with the heat gun.