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How do I remove adhesive from the canopy safely?

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skirting_virga

Well Known Member
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I need to re-adhere my Koger sunshade somehow. In the mean time, I have a strip of adhesive along the top of the canopy. What can I safely use to remove it?

Follow-up question/s:

What double-sided tape will get me the most longevity adhering the sunshade to the canopy? I have some 3M stuff and something else that's ultra sticky that I used to put my trim tab on.

How the F&*$# do people get those adhesive tabs for wiring to stick to anything for any amount of time? I've tried alcohol prep pads. They seem to come off bare aluminum and they will remove paint and fall off. I want to secure wires without drilling holes in structural members.
 
skirting_virga said:
How the F&*$# do people get those adhesive tabs for wiring to stick to anything for any amount of time? I've tried alcohol prep pads. They seem to come off bare aluminum and they will remove paint and fall off. I want to secure wires without drilling holes in structural members.
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I can't help you with your sunshade questions, but for the wire tie mounts, yeah, the peel and stick tape they put on those things never seems to last. I remove the tape, clean off the residue with acetone, scuff them up and glue them on with E6000.
 
after removing the tape from my canopy, what was left was hard adhesive. Tried a few things but what finally worked to remove it all to a clean canopy was isopropyl alcohol.
 
skirting_virga said:
is this safe for the canopy? No adverse effects?
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according to AI it was and so far so good. Use a good microfiber cloth and it'll take a few passes to loosen up then a few more to finally get the smeared adhesive to come off leaving a clear canopy. I tried the citrus goo gone and something else that didn't work.

It's mentioned in the construction manual as OK dokie
 
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Koger recommends 3M Adhesive Remover to prep the canopy on a new installation. It's been my go-to for years for removing any adhesive residue.
 
skirting_virga said:
I need to re-adhere my Koger sunshade somehow. In the mean time, I have a strip of adhesive along the top of the canopy. What can I safely use to remove it?

Follow-up question/s:

What double-sided tape will get me the most longevity adhering the sunshade to the canopy? I have some 3M stuff and something else that's ultra sticky that I used to put my trim tab on.

How the F&*$# do people get those adhesive tabs for wiring to stick to anything for any amount of time? I've tried alcohol prep pads. They seem to come off bare aluminum and they will remove paint and fall off. I want to secure wires without drilling holes in structural members.
Click to expand...
I use lighter fluid for removing contact cement off canopy glass.
 
The "denatured" alcohol you find on the shelf in the hardware store will work and won't damage as long as it is used sparingly and then immediately flushed with water.

I wrap my finger with a clean microfiber cloth and then dip just the finger tip into the alcohol. Then I run gently over the adhesive and it seems to melt off pretty quickly. I follow that up with a clean wet (water) cloth, air dry. then I clean/polish with my favorite product designed for acrylic/plexiglass.

IIRC, Van's guidance says denatured alcohol is fine but wash with water immediately after.
 
A to Q #1 -

Per Van's instruction:
Cleaning And Use Of Liquids
For general cleaning use Dawn dish washing liquid or equivalent and water followed by a clear water rinse. To prevent water spots, blow dry with compressed air or wipe dry with soft cotton flannel. Plexus, Sprayaway #848 Industrial Plastic Cleaner, or All Clear can also be used for day to day cleaning. Grease, oil, tape residue, etc. may best be removed with Mineral spirits, refined kerosene, white gasoline, naphtha, or isopropyl alcohol. Wash approved solvents off of canopy with Dawn dish washing liquid and water. It is best to avoid using products that are not specifically formulated for acrylics on your canopy such as Rain-X or Lemon Pledge.

A to Q #2:
I did the same as Desert Rat. E6000 is holding well even in the 110+ degree summers here in Phoenix.
 
skirting_virga said:
I need to re-adhere my Koger sunshade somehow. In the mean time, I have a strip of adhesive along the top of the canopy. What can I safely use to remove it?

Follow-up question/s:

What double-sided tape will get me the most longevity adhering the sunshade to the canopy? I have some 3M stuff and something else that's ultra sticky that I used to put my trim tab on.

How the F&*$# do people get those adhesive tabs for wiring to stick to anything for any amount of time? I've tried alcohol prep pads. They seem to come off bare aluminum and they will remove paint and fall off. I want to secure wires without drilling holes in structural members.
Click to expand...
I bought the zip-tie mounting tabs at a big box store and then peeled off the cheap tape and replaced with HD 3M VHB tape. Not going anywhere.

In regards to cleaning - I have some adhesive on my canopy the OB used to glue down the glare shield covering. I’ve frankly been scared to use ANY chemical on the canopy. Maybe I’ll get the nerve to try a little alcohol on it. Might have to bring some personal alcohol with me!
 
Phyrcooler said:
I bought the zip-tie mounting tabs at a big box store and then peeled off the cheap tape and replaced with HD 3M VHB tape. Not going anywhere.

In regards to cleaning - I have some adhesive on my canopy the OB used to glue down the glare shield covering. I’ve frankly been scared to use ANY chemical on the canopy. Maybe I’ll get the nerve to try a little alcohol on it. Might have to bring some personal alcohol with me!
Click to expand...
This is what I do as well - but I rough up the surface of the plastic anchor plate before puttign the VHB tape on it, just because the virgin surface is so slick.
 
Ironflight said:
This is what I do as well - but I rough up the surface of the plastic anchor plate before puttign the VHB tape on it, just because the virgin surface is so slick.
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my protocol as well. no issues over many years. plastic parts should be scuffed for better adhesion.
 
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