Bicycle Mechanics - Adhesive removal?

When I bought my Colnago, I followed Sheldon Brown's instructions for a pretty computer installation and used clear tape (packing tape) instead of zip ties to hold the sensor wire against the fork.

Well, I've now changed my computer to a rear wheel sensor, so I removed the tape from my beautiful carbon flash fork. The tape left a bunch of adhesive residue on my fork, and I can't figure out the best way to remove it.

I imagine acetone or something, maybe nail polish remover would work, but would these chemicals hurt my carbon fork?

I would stay away from the harsh chemicals... like the remover or Goof Off or the like... the orange oil based Goo Gone stuff takes anything sticky out of the picture and should not hurt your carbon. If in doubt... warm soapy water and elbow grease ought to do it as well.

It seems to me I have read that WD-40 is good for that. Whatever you use, try a bit on an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn't harm the finish. The above-mentioned Goo Gone does a good job and is not supposed to hurt paint.

Edited. I originally said Goof Off when I meant Goo Gone.

I put some Goof Off in a hard plastic squeeze type bottle and it made the plastic all soft and cloudly rather quickly. WD-40 will work fine... but suggesting someone put WD-40 on a bike seems to be somewhat a faux paux around here ;)

I second Goo Gone

You might try an citrus based cleaner as well. I've had good luck with them on glue. The citric acid seems to melt the glue.

Originally posted by RareVos
WD-40 will work fine... but suggesting someone put WD-40 on a bike seems to be somewhat a faux paux around here ;)

I for one object to reccomending WD-40 as a lub. If it works o clean "(and It likely will) use it, but wash it off since it has been reported to leave a residue.


Joe

I know this will sound a bit weird but ---

Try pouring a bit of vegetable oil on a clean, soft cloth rag. Rub the area lightly and it should take the adhesive off. Peanut butter (non-crunchy style) also works. I don't remember where I first heard this suggestion, but I've used it to remove the adhesive residue from lots of hard, non-absorbent household articles (e.g., glassware, plasticware, etc.)

Ditto on the vegetable oil. I've used it many times on all different types of surfaces to remove adhesive residue and it always has worked for me. Safe for your carbon, too.

A smiggen of toothpaste on a soft cloth works well too !

I will second the citrus based cleaner. Works wonders to get rid of glue residue, but leaves paint sparkling.

This one sounds wierd, but can work depending on the tape used:
Place a fresh piece of tape on the gooey area and smooth it down really well, then peel it off slowly. Often this will bring some of the residue with it. Repeated attempts usually get the majority off (works well for the label residue when peeling price stickers off CD cases etc.)
Otherwise I'd go with the citrus cleaner or vegetable oil methods. The bonding resin in carbon fibre composites can be affected by exposure to solvents so, like others, I'd advise against goo-gone, goof, WD40 and the like. They would probably not affect the area if used carefully, but if there is a better way to do the job...

Sorry for the long post,

Ed

Hot soapy water has worked for me.

But maybe we're missing something here. Why take the risk of damaging the forks. Is this not the ideal time to scrap them and consider an upgrade?:)

Umm...scrap my perfectly functional, lightweight Colnago Flash fork, which happens to perfectly match my Colnago frame?

I sure hope that you're just trying to be funny...

you can also try Rubbing alcohol, It will take the sticky thing on the Fork, I have use it on removing tape mark on my skin, I think it will do the work on removing tape marking on your carbon fork.
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3M adhesive and wax remover.It says it will not harm cured auto paint.It must work on bikes.