MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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It's time for the annual summer road bike strip down and rebuild and as ever, it's getting some new bar tape. However, the old stuff has left some horrible, sticky residue behind, basically like it's left the old adhesive strip on the bars.
So what's good to remove it? Ideally something I'll already have at home or in my garage?
Thanks all.
Nail varnish remover.
Isopropyl alcohol and a bit of elbow grease.
White spirit. I wouldn't bother though, helps the new tape to stick!
what johnners said- I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to bike set up, maintenance, cleanliness etc but I never bother removing it. It's extra adhesive for the new stuff and too thin to adversely effect it by causing lumps etc.
It's extra adhesive for the new stuff and too thin to adversely effect it by causing lumps etc.
+2. On the other hand if you start putting acetone etc on the bars before fitting tape you may suddenly find the tape less keen to stay in place.
Petrol or if you want to be slightly safer then lighter fluid.
If it was just the adhesive left I'd be inclined to agree with leaving it, sadly, this has lumps of the old tape still attached so needs some attention.
Let me guess, you took it off in a cold garage.
I did the same in minus temperatures this weekend. One side of the bars has all the adhesive and huge chunks of the old tape left behind.
I used a hair dryer on the other side before removal and it came off completely clean.
If you heat up the remaining lumps then they come off easier but there's still some work to do with isopropyl to get the adhesive off.
I expected a 30 minute job to switch the tapes, but it ended up taking a couple of hours...
Disc brake cleaner - removes this.
Use
http://www.diy.com/departments/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-adhesive-remover-bottle-250-ml/254704_BQ.prd
to get the sticky bits off. Then something like isopropyl or methylated spirit to prepare for the new tape.
My preference is Wurth Industry Cleaner.
I also first wrap the bars completely with electrical tape before applying the bar tape. This was a tip from an old pro-team mechanic and it makes it much quicker to remove the bar tape next time around.
Let me guess, you took it off in a cold garage.
How did you guess?!?! I'll attack it with the hairdryer later then!
I also first wrap the bars completely with electrical tape before applying the bar tape
I use so much electrical tape to mount and route the cables I may as well wrap the few bare inches that are left to make it easier!
Autoglym bug and tar remover does the job nicely, if you have some.
WD40
EarlofBarnet - MemberAutoglym bug and tar remover does the job nicely, if you have some.
Great stuff! Have used it to shift some really stubborn stuff in the past.
WD40 or GT85, both best things ever for dissolving sticky residues.
Right then, the plan of attack is:
1. Heat - The hairdryer will be out.
2. Tar remover.
3. GT85.
4. Nail varnish remover.
5. elbow grease.
Hoping to avoid number 5 if possible...