How to Remove & Reposition Double Sided Mounting Tape

Double sided mounting tapes are packed full of durability and strength, but what you might not know is that successful removal and repositioning of these tape types is possible. Whatever your reasoning for using these double sided automotive tapes, whether that be mounting car emblems or fixing mirrors, the tape can be taken away and moved if necessary. Here, we’ll show you how this can be achieved and how it can save you time and money.

Why you may need to remove double sided mounting tape

Removing double sided mounting tape may be called for in a few situations, such as having not applied it correctly, wanting to remove the old tape to start again or simply because you don’t want something to be mounted anymore.

In the automotive industry when you’re constantly being mindful of reducing costs and shortening lead times, you should always be in the know about techniques and methods you can use to remove tapes in a way that won’t cause damage or require extra time to rectify.

How to remove mounting tape

One of the simplest ways to remove mounting tape is to gently heat it section-by-section, then take either a razor or piece of string and run it under the tape. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that using string over the razor can be best if you’re worried about scratching or peeling away the automotive paint underneath the adhesive.

How to reposition double sided mounting tape

Repositioning your double sided mounting tape on a vehicle can seem tricky because of the high tack bond created between the surfaces involved. However, you can still try a few methods to get the position right. During application, fix the tape in place slowly and ensure you’re happy with the position of each section before moving on. It’s easiest to move before pressure has been applied and when the release liner is still intact.

Removing residue from old double sided mounting tape

If JTAPE double sided mounting tapes are properly removed, there should be no residue left behind on the surfaces involved. But if you’ve used other generic double sided mounting tapes, you might have issues fully removing the adhesive that’s been left behind. Finding a safe way to remove residue from this high tack adhesive is important for maintaining a high quality finish on vehicles and ensuring your customers remain satisfied with your work. In this section, we’re offering you a few tips for removing old adhesive residue in the safest possible way.

First, we recommend soaking the adhesive in water to break down the bonds and soften it. You can simply dip a clean cloth in warm water and car shampoo and rub this over the area for at least 15 minutes. After this time, you should be able to wipe away the residue easily. If it seems like the adhesive isn’t being softened, this could mean that the adhesive has water-resistant properties which means this method won’t work.

Another option you can try is applying solvent cleaner to the area. This can also be effective at breaking down the bond between the tape and the vehicle’s surface, even with the high tack adhesives featured in double sided mounting tapes. Like our first method, you can apply the solvent-based cleaning solution using a clean cloth and rubbing this over the area for around 10 to 15 minutes. You should then see the adhesive begin to come away from the vehicle’s surface. With this method, however, it’s important to be mindful that solvents can damage some car paint types.

If neither of these methods works for you, you can try taking a razor or piece of string and sliding it underneath the adhesive. Of course, if you choose to use a sharp object such as a razor, you’ll need to make sure you’re wearing the appropriate protective equipment and take extra care not to scratch the car paint. This method can often be effective, and it’s our recommended technique for removing JTAPE double sided mounting tapes.

JTAPE double sided mounting tapes

At JTAPE, we offer a selection of automotive grade double sided mounting tapes suitable for different jobs you might undertake within your body shop. Our range is simple to install, but also quick and easy to remove and reposition if needed. Plus, it will never leave behind any stubborn adhesive residue, saving you time and resources.

Our Double Sided Mounting Tape is a polyethylene foam-backed tape ideal for fixing decals, trims and mouldings, whilst also offering an effective solution for mirror fixings and number plate mounting. With a high tack, super strength acrylic adhesive on both sides, it can handle permanent fixings with ease.

JTAPE Grey Double Sided Acrylic Tape is recommended for mounting a huge range of substrates, including emblems, plastic trims or panels, body mouldings, number plates and any other metals. The double sided high performance acrylic adhesive featuring excellent temperature and weather resistance makes it perfect for internal and external applications.

At JTAPE, we’re dedicated to offering a range of automotive tapes that make your job in the body shop easier and quicker, which is why we’ve made sure our double sided mounting tapes can be strong while never being difficult to remove or reposition. To discover more of our tapes and learn about their features, head to our product page.