Will exchange sympathy.....

[mhorowit]

with anyone else who is removing 60 year old masking tape from aluminum ribs - MIke

[jgerard]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

I use a razor blade to scrape it off and then buff the scratches out with scotchbrite. Paint stripper also works, but its kinda messy.

[high time cub]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

Mike! Au contraire, think of that 60 year old masking tape on your airframe as a work of art destined for a museum!

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4285&page_number=5&template_id=1&sort_order=1

Jim

[Grant S. Bailey]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

I found MEK did the trick!

[Pearson]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

Heatlamp/gun!!! Melts the glue!!! Wipe off residue with thinner, MEK, acetone, etc.

[crispy critter]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

Heat gun works most of the time,MEK works great for cleaning off the glue or in places where it doesn't pull off. Be careful using a heat gun because if you hold it in one place very long it can warp the rib.....depending on how hot your heat gun gets.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

Guys! Start with the LEAST aggressive method. Some types of masking tape glue can be removed with plain old alcohol. Next go to a material called "Prep-Sol" that you can get anyplace they sell car paints (it's GREAT fro removing almost ANYTHING from car paint without damaging the finish, I ALWAYS have a can around). Next try mineral spirits, them lacquer or dope thinner. Anything more powerful than that can really start to endanger YOU. Toluene, MEK, gasoline (yes, it can work, but it isn't worth the risk) and other strong solvents usually have a health risk and should be used REALLY carefully. I got all the tape off my 45 with nothing stronger than mineral spirits and I didn't use any abrasives since they tend to remove the alclad from the aluminum.
Be careful out there. These chemicals can kill you and we have been being careless with them for decades.
Hank

[jawinn]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

I have to do that myself. Ugh. Fortunately, some of it just fell off, but some is stuck quite well. The last person zinc chromated the ribs and it's flaking off which makes me think. What, if anything, should I coat the ribs with when I put it all back together? Nothing was used originally, and Poly-fiber chemicals don't play nice with one part paints. I thought I'd prime the capstrip with epoxy primer and just not worry about the rest. Anyone have thoughts on that?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

I have been using a light dust coat of Epoxy primer and Epoxy paint (thinned and applied with a cheap harbor freight air brush). Seems to work great and doesn't make a big mess. The epoxy goes a LOOOOONG way through an airbrush, so don't make up a lot and DO remember to wear a respirator. Your lungs will last FOREVER with a coating of epoxy, but YOU won't.
Hank

[Len Petterson]

Re: Will exchange sympathy.....

Methyl Alcohol (= gasline antifrezze) will soften the glue in the tape!
I have used it 2 to 3 year old tape.
I have not had the honor to try on antique aircrafts yet!(;f
Have fun Mike!
Len