There are tons of ways to remove tape residue from your guitar. But which way is the best? There are many different approaches to removing tape residue, but there’s really no wrong answer. You can use water, alcohol, vinegar, rust remover, WD-40, mineral spirits, citrus oil, or dish soap. This articles explains how to remove tape residue from guitar.
You may also look at our expert article on How to Remove Rust from Guitar Screws
The Different Ways to Remove Tape Residue
There are many different ways to remove tape residue from your guitar.
Water:
Water is free and will not damage your guitar
Water will get rid of more recent residue rather than older residue; it works better on surfaces with a porous texture
Water does not always work very well on stains that have dried for some time; water might not be enough to remove all of the stain
If you use too much water you could end up with a sticky mess
Excessive water may lead to plucking problems (strings getting stuck in fret slots)
Alcohol:
Alcohol has antibacterial properties which makes it ideal for cleaning strings and fret boards; it also helps prevent rusting and corrosion of metal parts on your guitar. However, alcohol should not be used on rosewood fingerboards because it can loosen and lift protective oil and waxes that keep the fingerboard from drying out and cracking over time. The risk of loosening the fingerboard’s finish is greater in guitars with nitrocellulose lacquer finishes. A 50% solution of non-diluted alcohol should only be used only in guitars without nitrocellulose lacquer or rosewood fingerboards. A 50% solution of undiluted alcohol should never be used on any guitar.
Alcohol can dry out your guitar’s unfinished wood, making it brittle, so this option isn’t recommended if your guitar hasn’t yet been finished
What You Need To Remove Tape Residue
You can use rubbing alcohol, hair spray, or hand sanitizer to remove the residue
Make sure you are using a non-acetone nail polish remover to avoid damaging your instrument
Alcohol will take off the paint of your guitar if you rub too hard
It may take several applications of alcohol before all of the residue has been removed
Alcohol is not good for your wood finish; it will dry out your guitar
Vinegar
Vinegar smells better than other options because it’s an organic cleaner Vinegar will get rid of any type of residue without damaging the finish on your guitar
Vinegar is acidic and could damage the finish on your guitar if left on for too long
Rust Remover
Rust remover is designed specifically for metal corrosion, so it should work well with tape residue. It will also clean away any rust that has accumulated on your guitar. The product is sold in both liquid and powdered forms. Be sure to read instructions to find out which one you need to use.
WD-40
WD-40 removes many things from surfaces, so it’s a safe bet that it will remove tape residue as well. Be sure to test WD-40 in an inconspicuous place before using it all over your guitar. WD 40 does not typically come with a label warning, but check the label just in case. If there is no warning label
Tips for Removing Tape Residue
Consider these tips and tricks to help you remove those annoying, sticky pieces of tape from your guitar.
1. Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol is a great way to get tape residue off of your guitar’s surface because it has antibacterial properties. A good trick for using rubbing alcohol is to pour it onto the residue and hold a rag over the wet spot until it dries. After this, simply wipe the residue away with a soft cloth.
2. WD-40 – You can also use WD-40 as an alternative for removing tape residue on your guitar’s surface. Just spray and rub and then wipe clean with a soft cloth just like with rubbing alcohol.
3) Citrus Oil – If you have any citrus oil lying around in your kitchen, you can use that to remove tape residue from your guitar’s surface. Just rub in a small amount onto the old treads then wipe clean after it has dried!
Applying the Alcohol Method
Applying the Alcohol Method
Soak a rag with alcohol, place it over the residue, and rub in circular motions for 10 minutes.
Let the alcohol dry naturally. Use a clean rag to dry off any excess moisture.
Once the residue is gone, wipe down the surface of your guitar with a clean rag or damp cloth to remove any leftover alcohol.
If you’re feeling ambitious, go back over your guitar with steel wool to remove any other residue under the strings. This should be done at least once per year.
Vinegar
Vinegar is safe to use on most surfaces
It will not damage your guitar’s finish
It will get rid of both old and new tape residue
Vinegar may take longer than other methods if the stain is really stubborn
Rust Remover
Rust remover will get out stains other methods won’t touch
It will break down tough stains like water cannot do on its own; it works well on surfaces that are crusty or flaky (e.g., dried blood)
You might need to use quite a bit of rust remover; it can be expensive if you don’t have it already stocked in your home or garage
WD-40 Oil/Lubricant Spray
WD-40 can be used anywhere without fear of damaging finishes or expensive instruments.
Applying the Water Method
Vinegar
This is a good option for cleaning and disinfecting the surface
Vinegar will work on old and new residue
If you use too much vinegar, it could cause structural damage to your guitar
Citrus Oil
Citrus oil is biodegradable and has natural degreasing properties which makes it great for cleaning your guitar’s frets as well as removing tape residue. It is also safe on most finishes as it is non-toxic. It also smells nice!
You need to scrub with citrus oil for it to be effective, so if you choose this method make sure you give your guitar some love and spend some time scrubbing away the old residue. (Note: Petroleum based products like WD-40 and mineral spirits can cause discoloration)
Dish Soap or Hand Soap
Dish soap or hand soap is very inexpensive and easy to find. Just about any grocery store will carry them. They are not corrosive like other chemicals may be (WD-40). These options will not strip away the finish of your guitar either.
You can end up with suds that go into the strings, which means after you remove the residue you’ll need to clean out your strings too!
Applying the Vinegar Method:
It’s crucial to use a colorless and fragrance-free vinegar. Begin by wiping the surface of your guitar with a soft cloth or paper towel; this will remove any loose bits of tape residue. After this, pour the vinegar onto a cotton ball and gently wipe it across the surface of your guitar. Finally, use a dry cloth to wipe off any remaining vinegar.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an all-natural cleaning agent that can be used on many types of surfaces
Vinegar is usually more affordable than other options
Some people may find the smell unpleasant
WD-40
WD-40 is a non-abrasive cleaner that can remove dirt and grime from most surfaces
+ WD-40 will not leave behind a sticky residue after being wiped off
-WD-40 can cause certain stains to penetrate the wood pores which may lead to damage in the future
Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirits is another cleaner that does not leave behind residue after being wiped down + Mineral spirits are less expensive when compared with other cleaners
If you have used tape for some time before noticing residue, mineral spirits might be your best option as it can penetrate deeply into pores
Applying the Rust Remover Method
Whichever method you choose, you’ll want to be sure not to leave any residue on your instrument.
How to remove tape residue from guitar FAQS
Yes, you can use water, alcohol, vinegar, rust remover, WD-40, mineral spirits, citrus oil, or dish soap.
You can always try and see what works the best for your guitar. If one method does not work well enough for your guitar then you should try another method.
No. It is recommended that you wet a small area and then wipe it off with a rag or towel before adding more water as this will prevent too much water from soaking into your guitar.
Conclusion
The tape residue may be on your guitar for a variety of reasons. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to remove the tape residue, we recommend the Alcohol Method. Removing the residue is as easy as following these steps:
Apply a small amount of alcohol to a clean cloth and gently rub the residue off the surface of the guitar.
Once the residue is gone, cover the guitar with another cloth and rub vigorously to remove any leftover particles.
If there is still some residue left, you may need to reapply the alcohol and then wipe it clean with a clean cloth.
Once you do that, dry off the surface with a dry cloth.
The tape residue should now be removed from your guitar.
