How to remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass. How to do it without stains

How to remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass? As we know, double-sided adhesive tape is a particular tape which has glue on both its sides.

For this reason, double-sided adhesive tape is the ideal tool to attach two surfaces securely, easily, and quickly to one another; it isn’t surprising that this type of tape is used to attach sheets and posters, to place rugs, to hang mirrors, to fix electronic devices, and so on.

Not infrequently double-sided adhesive tape is also used on glass, that is, on those surfaces that do not allow the installation of any object through other attachment solutions.

Posters hanging with double-sided tape on windows, double-sided tape used on glass tables to keep electronic devices in place: at some point, the time comes for these objects to be removed.

And is not always as simple as it might seem to completely remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass; If in fact, while by levering you will definitely be able to remove the glued object, in most cases you will end up with some glue residue from double-sided tape on the glass anyway.

What are the techniques to remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass, better still without leaving stains? Let’s have a look at them!

How to remove double-sided adhesive from glass

Removing the double-sided tape from the glass is more difficult when the glue dries. This means that, if industrial double-sided adhesive tape is removed immediately after its placement, perhaps because it has been fixed in a wrong position, it will be quite easy to eliminate any residue.

After weeks, months or years, removing double-sided adhesive from the glass without leaving residue will be more difficult. This is because, on the one hand, the glue will have created a powerful grip on the glass surface; and because, on the other hand, the adhesive layer will tend to detach at least in part from the tape, thus getting stuck on the glass.

It is therefore necessary to understand how to remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass. The first method, the classic one to remove any form of tape and glue from surfaces of various types, is the one which involves the use of a heat source, therefore usually a hair dryer.

Take a hair dryer and, after raising the temperature of the heat jet, heat the industrial double-sided adhesive tape left on the glass; this way, the glue will become slightly softer, facilitating removal.

At this point you can start to physically remove the glue residue, using a scraper that won’t ruin the glass. For example, the scrapers used to remove ice from the windshield of cars are perfect for this, or old plastic cards (such as old credit cards, gym cards, and so on), as well as plastic spatulas.

There are also other products which can help remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass, always with a little elbow grease. For example, it is possible to use solvents, such as alcohol or acetone; in this case, take a clean cloth or sponge, wet the affected area with a solvent, and start to rub at the glue residue until it comes off the glass.

If you don’t have any solvent ready to go, or do not want to use alcohol, you can use delicate kitchen vinegar, preferably white. The basic concept is the same: moisten the affected area with vinegar, and rub it off, possibly with a scraper in the final stages.

In any case, normal degreasers can also help.

How to remove the adhesive from glass without leaving stains

Having outlined how to remove double-sided adhesive tape from glass, let’s have a look at how to eliminate the inevitable stains created during this operation. Where should we to start?

Whether it’s a house or shop window or a glass coffee table, the first step is always to dust the surface, using antistatic cloths, which will eliminate dust with a few moves. Then, a detergent is needed.

You can opt for a solution of water and vinegar (with about 20% vinegar) using a sponge on the glass or placing the liquid in a spray container. But you can also opt for alcohol, or an industrial degreasing detergent designed specifically for cleaning glass.

In case of emergency, it must be noted, glasses can also be cleaned with a solution of water and dish detergent, as well as – and this might be a surprise – with a potato. That’s right: a piece of raw potato rubbed on the glass helps to make the surface clean and shiny (after rubbing the potato everywhere you will need to rinse everything with hot water).

After cleaning all the glass, with special attention to the area which hosted the strong double-sided adhesive tape, it is necessary to proceed with drying it, to avoid those horrid stains: the perfect allies in this case are old newspapers, or, if need be, deerskin.