Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,779
Likes: 1,747
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
If the residue is particularly chunky, try wrapping the bars with paper towel held with a twist tie. Then saturate with WD40 and put in a plastic bag or two and leave to sit for a day. This has always worked for me on the nastiest bar messes by turning the adhesive into soft gel. I also recommend this for removing decal residues from painted frame tubes, the paint isn't bothered and the residues wipe right off.
Next time I'm in a hurry to clean up some bars, I'll try the FI cleaner for sure.