How to releases 3M Double sided tape

[JackHammer]

So I'm moving out of my apt and I stuck some picture frames onto the wall using 3M double sided tape. The tape is rather strong and if I pry with all my might, the paint is going to come with the tape. Any ideas on how to release the tape without screwing up the paint? I was thinking about using a hair dryer to warm up with tape and hopefully they will come off.

[redcolours]

try removing it garrote-style.

get a strong thick sewing thread, and use it to 'saw' thru the double-sided tape. you may want to try fishing line. maybe some thin copper wiring?

or if you didn't tape the frame too far from its edges, use a thin long knife to slowly saw it thru the tape. a very sharp edge or a serrated one will do the trick.
maybe one of those long blades used for crafts.

ive used different types of the 3M tape - heat wont do much to it. if anything cold will make the adhesive substance brittle, enabling you to remove it more easily. heat will only soften the adhesive and SPREAD it more, creating a goopy substance. much harder to remove on the wall.

[chrissy]

sawing with floss would work too.
If there is any residue left, goo gone will help in removing it.

We use that stuff at halloween when we decorate - the stuff we bought this year must have been stronger than last. When walking up to the house the other day, I noticed a bunch of rectangle/square dots where the adhesive is still on the house... not good.

[Napoleon54]

I think RC and Chrissy have the right idea. But for future reference, I swear by 3M's Command Adhesive Strips, they're similar to double-sided tape but are made of a stretchy material and have a little tab to pull on laterally, they come right off of painted walls without a problem.

[JackHammer]

I think RC and Chrissy have the right idea. But for future reference, I swear by 3M's Command Adhesive Strips, they're similar to double-sided tape but are made of a stretchy material and have a little tab to pull on laterally, they come right off of painted walls without a problem.


Are they strong enough to hold a 3"x3" picture frame?

[The Happy Squirrel]

i ahve an uncle that works for 3M will give him a shout tomorrow nad post his reply tomorow night is your not in a huge hurry

[Napoleon54]

Are they strong enough to hold a 3"x3" picture frame?

Oh yeah, easily. They come in various packs... plain strips for posters and photos, ones with hooks for hanging stuff on, specific ones for picture frames, etc. The super heavy duty ones are rated for 7.5lbs (which means they'd certainly do more)- they're intended for stuff like brooms and mops in the closet, etc. I have a Command Adhesive soap dish in my shower, Home Depot carries them. Here's 3M's product page: linky (http://www.3m.com/intl/au/brands/command/products/mountingstrips.jhtml). You can find them in a lot of B&M stores... office supply places, grocery stores, Target, etc, and here (http://www.officedepot.com/textSearch.do;jsessionid=0000927pbqG-h9INAqPvTFlKJdK:10irjpv6n?uniqueSearchFlag=true&Ntt=command+adhesive) is what OfficeDepot.com has. I have a lot of 8x10 photographs, mounted on just foam board, hanging on my walls but I can't find a link to the small strips/ hooks that I used for them. Those hooks and strips came in like a pack of 12 for ~$3. If you can find that pack, I'm sure they'd hold your 3"x3" frames just fine.

[JackHammer]

i ahve an uncle that works for 3M will give him a shout tomorrow nad post his reply tomorow night is your not in a huge hurry


Oh for reals? Also ask him how hot those clear laminates they use on car hoods can go up to aka invisible bra. I'm talking about the clear sheet of plastic they stick to your car bumpers and hood to prevent rock chips, dents and stuff. I work for a utility company and currently we are looking for someone to make our orange steam stacks (think NYC and the orange steam stack with vapor coming out of the top). Well no one will make orange HDPE pipe for us unless we pay them a whole butt load of money so one alternative we have is to use regular black HDPE pipe which are widely available and tape orange and white relfective tapes on them. But these tapes don't hold up well to the daily wear and tear of handling by our field crews. 3M has these orange and white tapes that can handle temperature of 500F so in order to protect them, I was thinking we can use the clear laminate but again they need to be able to withstand high temp. Thanks.

[The Happy Squirrel]

will try and reach him tommrrow and then post a reply