How to Remove Sun Baked Masking Tape

Masking tape is a useful papery tape that is used to "mask" or protect surfaces from being painted. Some homeowners along the coasts often use it to reinforce their windows during hurricane season. If masking tape is left in the heat of the sun for long periods, it can become very difficult to remove. It is possible to remove sun baked masking tape, however, with a couple of household items.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray bottle
• Water
• Fabric softener
• Peanut butter
• Rag

1. Add equal amounts of water and fabric softener to the spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to mix the two ingredients thoroughly.

2. Spray the sun baked masking tape until the paper is completely saturated. Respray every five minutes, so that the tape will remain completely wet. Continue spraying every five minutes, until the tape has been soaking for thirty minutes.

3. Remove the paper with your fingers. It should peel off easily. If it does not, continue spraying the tape every five minutes for fifteen minutes, and try to remove the paper again.

4. Use the clean rag to wipe away any moisture left from the spray bottle mixture. Chances are, the mixture also removed the glue along with the paper from the tape. If there is any glue left on the surface, it will appear crusty and will not be sticky.

5. Apply peanut butter to any crusty glue that was left by the sun baked masking tape. Allow this to sit on the glue for thirty minutes. The natural oils from the peanut butter will help to break up the glue.

6. Use your rag to wipe off the peanut butter.