How to Remove 3M Heavy Duty Tape

Tape can be difficult to remove from walls.

3M Heavy Duty Mounting Tape is used to mount a variety of objects to walls. The mounting tape is designed to stay in place, so the item you mount is secured to the wall without the worry of it falling or sliding off. Unfortunately, this makes removing the tape difficult. When removing the 3M Heavy Duty Tape you must take care not to damage the wall surface.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing line
• Hairdryer
• Water-displacing spray
• Cloth
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Hold a piece of fishing line tight and slide it underneath the 3M Heavy Duty Tape while staying as close to the wall as possible. The fishing line will act as a knife, cutting the tape away from the way.

2. Repeat this process several times to remove as much of the tape from the wall as possible. If the tape continues to adhere, use a hairdryer on a medium setting and apply heat to the tape. Hold the hairdryer a few inches above the tape and move in a steady back-and-forth motion. The heat from the hairdryer will soften the adhesive.

3. Spray a water-displacing spray on a cloth. After the tape has been removed, you will be left with a sticky, adhesive residue on your walls. Rub the adhesive residue with the saturated cloth. Add more water-displacing spray to the cloth if needed. Continue rubbing the wall in a gentle, circular motion until the adhesive is gone. Alternatively, replace water-displacing spray with rubbing alcohol.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the water-displacing spray or rubbing alcohol on a small, inconspicuous area of the wall. If the wall becomes damaged or discolored, discontinue use.

References

• Duck: Frequently Asked Questions
• Good Housekeeping: Removing Tape from Walls

Resources

• 3M: Scotch® 110 Heavy Duty Mounting Tape