How to Remove Double-Sided Tape from a Car?
If you have ever had to remove the trim from your car, you know that there is double-sided tape. The door has something stuck to it.
The trims on my previous car wouldn’t stick from the door, and that was driving me crazy. It was difficult for me to remove the double-sided tape when I attempted to fix it.
I learned how to remove the double-sided tape from the car door, and today I am sharing them with you.
If you want to remove the double-sided tape from the car door, you can use a rubber eraser wheel.
Attach it to the drill, then use it to remove the glue on it. You won’t damage anything because it’s safe for car paint.
Not all of you guys have drills at home, so I decided to show you other methods that you could use to remove the double-sided tape from the car.
These methods can be used to remove stickers and other products from any car part.
Best Ways To Remove Double-Sided Tape From Car
I will show you how each method works so that you can choose the one that suits you the best.
The 1st method is always the best, and the 3rd is only doable if you don’t have any other alternatives.
Method 1:
The caramel wheel, also known as the rubber eraser wheel, is one of the best tools for removing all kinds of adhesives from cars’ paint.
The drill attachment for the rubber eraser wheel is very easy to remove.
Attach it to a drill, and slowly work it into the paint, and it will gradually remove the double-sided tape from the car door.
Steps:
- Attach the drill to the rubber eraser wheel.
- Power the drill on
- The spinning wheel should be slightly pressed to remove the glue.
- Don’t put a lot of pressure on the tool, it will gradually remove the tape.
- You can wipe off any remnants with a few drops of brake cleaner and a microfiber towel.
The wheel works in a way that is completely safe for paint. It is perfect for delicate clear coats because it is gentle enough and it wears with each use.
By using this method, you will be able to remove any glue from your vehicle in no time at all.
I always suggest polishing your car afterward just to make sure that everything is in the best possible condition, because some marring may appear.
Method 2:
A cheap and easy method for removing double-sided tape from the car door can be tried if you don’t have a drill. It will last a bit longer, but it should be easier to remove the glue.
It’s a multi-purpose product and works for thousands of different things. It is used to remove rust, prevent rust, lubricate metal parts, clean metal parts, and hide scratches.
You have likely heard of it already. One interesting thing about WD-40 is that it can be used to remove the double-sided tape from the door and trim of cars.
All you need is a microfiber towel, a plastic razor, and a can of WD-40. If you have no tools at home, you should try this method.
Steps:
- Take the double-sided tape and spray WD-40.
- Wait 1-2 minutes for the adhesive to break.
- Use a plastic razor or another plastic tool that has sharper edges to remove the double-sided tape.
- If you use metal tools, you will scratch the paint, which will be an expensive fix, and if you use a clean microfiber towel with brake cleaner, you will remove any sticky bits from the car.
Method 3:
If you want to remove the double-sided tape from the car, I would recommend using a heat gun.
The double-sided tape should be easy to peel off from the vehicle if the heat breaks the glue.
I don’t know why I’m saying ” should”. Depending on the quality of the double-sided tape, this method might or might not work.
The heat gun method may cause some damage to the paint of the car, and that is why I put it in the 3rd place.
It may take a long time for you to remove the glue from the car, because it may only stretch, instead of peeling off. If you don’t have anything else but the heat gun, you can try this method.
If you want to remove the double-sided tape from your vehicle, I recommend you use the Porter Cable Heat Gun, which has 1500 watts of power.
Steps:
- The heat gun will warm up the double-sided tape.
- Work in smaller sections
- When you get the tape, try peeling it off or using a plastic razor.
- The car door can be wiped clean with a microfiber towel and a brake cleaner.
Don’t heat the surface a lot, don’t keep the gun pointed in the same spot all the time, and just be careful when using a heat gun.
Conclusion
You will be able to remove the double-sided tape from your car door with any of the 3 methods mentioned.
The method with the caramel wheel is the best since it is the most efficient method and caramel wheels are cheap now.
You don’t want to spend the whole day getting rid of double-sided tapes.
3M tapes may be harder to remove than other tapes, and that is why it is important to use the best method out there.
When you finish cleaning the double-sided tape from the car door, you are ready to apply the trim to it or do anything else you want with your car. I’m hoping I have helped you!
Truck driver by profession, automotive lover by heart. Ricky is the main publisher and editor at Truckile.com sharing his life-long knowledge and experience in the auto industry and truck driving!