Removing Duct Tape Residue - The Boat Galley

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Duct tape — or Gorilla Tape — is great for lots of things, but it’s not known for coming off cleanly, particularly if it’s been hot.

I used to use acetone, then I switched to Goo Gone. About five years ago, a contractor friend of ours said to use WD-40 — he swore it was better and much cheaper.

Since then, that’s what we’ve used. And he was right — it easily removes tape residue that took forever with Goo Gone.

Use a rag with a bit of texture to it — for example, terry cloth as opposed to an old t-shirt — and soak a small area of it with WD-40, then scrub at the residue. If there is a lot of tape gunk to get off and nothing nearby that the WD-40 would hurt if it ran or dripped, you can spray the residue and let it sit for just a minute before scrubbing.

Obviously, don’t do this on anything that the oil in WD-40 would harm! After removing the residue, I usually use a bit of soap and warm water to wash the area so it’s not slick from the WD-40. It’s really important to wash the WD-40 off if you’ve gotten it anywhere that people will walk as it is extremely slippery.

NOTE: Some people prefer to use Gaffer’s Tape to duct tape because it leaves far less residue. That’s true — it’s wonderful tape — but it’s also much more expensive than duct tape or even Gorilla Tape. We prefer to save it for times when we really need the “leave no residue” feature (see Gaffer’s Tape on Amazon if you’re not familiar with it — we weren’t until a reader recommended it).

About the Author: Carolyn Shearlock

Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water. Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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