How remove the residue of double-stick tape?

[viento]

The pickguard of my nitrocellulose finished guitar was loose
and came almost off.
So I decided to glue it anew but the adhesive sheet has to have no old residue beneath.
How can I get rid of the old adhesive traces?
Naphta...?

[kiwigeo]

Naptha would work.

[viento]

Naptha would work.

Thanks!
I will give it a try.

[kiwigeo]

Naptha would work.

Thanks!
I will give it a try.

Just work a small area under the old pick guard to test there aren't any problems before launching into the job proper.

[demonx]

I keep tins of Prepsol and Acetone on hand for these types of jobs, to remove tape gum I'd grab the Prepsol can.

Let it soak in the gum for about five to ten seconds and then it'll wipe right off.

[kiwigeo]

I keep tins of Prepsol and Acetone on hand for these types of jobs, to remove tape gum I'd grab the Prepsol can.

Let it soak in the gum for about five to ten seconds and then it'll wipe right off.

I'm a French Polish nut so no expert on synthetic finishes but won't acetone damage a nitro finish?

[Trevor Gore]

DON'T use acetone (or alcohol) on a nitro guitar. Shellite (naptha) is safe on the finishes I use (shellac and nitro) and will clean off most gummy residues.

[demonx]

If you read my post rather than skim it, you'll see I said to use PREPSOL, which will not hurt a finish. It's purpose is to clean finishes in between layers or simply clean a surface before spraying. It is a wax and grease remover.

You do need to be sure to wipe all the prepsol off again if you wish to apply more coats of finish.

Acetone I keep for similar jobs, more so glue removal, but acetone and prepsol even though used for similar purpose fulfil different specific needs, for example I'd use acetone on bare timber in light quantity, but not finished timber as it will ruin the finish.

[kiwigeo]

If you read my post rather than skim it, you'll see I said to use PREPSOL, which will not hurt a finish. It's purpose is to clean finishes in between layers or simply clean a surface before spraying. It is a wax and grease remover.

You do need to be sure to wipe all the prepsol off again if you wish to apply more coats of finish.

Acetone I keep for similar jobs, more so glue removal, but acetone and prepsol even though used for similar purpose fulfil different specific needs, for example I'd use acetone on bare timber in light quantity, but not finished timber as it will ruin the finish.

Granted I missed the detail in your post....but the warnings about using acetone on nitro finishes are still warranted as OP may not be aware of same.

[viento]

I tried naphta which took off some of the residue but left some patches over.
Then I tried a solvent which is made to soften and take off stickers. I made a probe
on a piece of nitro finished ply wood before touching the guitar.
This worked and I could rub off nearly all of the adhesive.
Now I´m waiting for the new plastic pickguard which has an adhesive film.
It is way thinner than the old one which caused the trouble and
will stay on the top whithout loosening.... I do hope
Thanks for your help!

[Jeremy D]

What was the solvent you used?

I tried naphta which took off some of the residue but left some patches over.
Then I tried a solvent which is made to soften and take off stickers. I made a probe
on a piece of nitro finished ply wood before touching the guitar.
This worked and I could rub off nearly all of the adhesive.
Now I´m waiting for the new plastic pickguard which has an adhesive film.
It is way thinner than the old one which caused the trouble and
will stay on the top whithout loosening.... I do hope
Thanks for your help!

[viento]

What was the solvent you used?

I used "Glutoclean" -especially made for getting rid of stickers.
It contains naphta and tridecet-9 (what ever this is)

[Jeremy D]

What was the solvent you used?

I used "Glutoclean" -especially made for getting rid of stickers.
It contains naphta and tridecet-9 (what ever this is)

Thanks Viento,

I once removed the clear pick guard from my 10 year old larrivee OM. I used naptha and a rag. Took forever to get it off. Worked well in the end though, just tons of elbow grease. The sitka has a very aged yellow look and you can now only just barely see the outline of the old pick guard. Good call on larrivee's part using clear guards.