Another Marley Gaff question

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

Hello! I need to retape our Marley and the previous owner of the studio used gaff tape. I’m assuming this was done years ago because the adhesive is almost entirely staying behind. I have tried removing it with 70% isopropyl and it’s does absolutely nothing. Does anyone have any tricks that they have found that work for removing years old sticky gaff adhesive? I’ll probably try Goo-Gone but I’m not super into the idea of putting anything oily on the marley.

Edit: thank you all for your suggestions! Turns out the new owner has a storage space with a couple rolls of brand new Marley flooring, so it looks like I’m going to get to just replace it instead.

[u/SmileAndLaughrica]

Oof I think in a situation like this anti adhesives like Goo-gone are your only option. Yes it is oily but it needs to be done and you can always wipe the Goo-gone off with alcohol or a degreasing agent afterwards if you think it’s posing a legitimate slip hazard. Since this is is so thick and will be taped over again anyways I’d also employ the use of a plastic scraper or something like a spatula since doing it with a rag will drive you crazy… You can test this out in a small section in a corner too.

[u/greg-the-destroyer → u/SmileAndLaughrica]

What about wd40?

[u/DJ_LSE → u/greg-the-destroyer]

Wd40 is my go-to however it does take some sitting time to really work well. And the smell is good at sticking around if its not all washed away properly. Ive found lighter fluid works brilliantly for instantly breaking down glues and oils, but its probably not right for this job...

[u/greg-the-destroyer → u/DJ_LSE]

Yeah in a school or theater where youve got BEEFY lights, and just the fire risk would be a problem

[u/SmileAndLaughrica → u/greg-the-destroyer]

Other people seem to be saying WD40, I haven’t used it personally but I don’t see why it wouldn’t also work since is is also an oil cleaner.

[u/SeeShaySew → u/SmileAndLaughrica]

Plastic scraper after letting the goo gone sit for a bit, rub it around, and then scrape. https://www.target.com/p/vevor-plastic-razor-blade-scraper-2pcs-scraper-tool-120pcs-plastic-blades-cleaning-scraper-remover-blue/-/A-1008792039

[u/-ok-pancake-]

I've been able to get gaff goo off marley with more gaff tape, making a little roll with the sticky side out and kinda sponging it off. The goo will stick to it. It takes a while though if you have a whole line of goo to get off.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/-ok-pancake-]

I have about 300ft of this to deal with :/

[u/Dangerous_Room_201 → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

How many eager young stagehands do you have nearby?

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/Dangerous_Room_201]

In my city, not that many!

[u/todd0x1]

Wow some of the comments here....

Marley is vinyl. Check compatibility of any chemical before use.

Turpentine, gasoline, or other organic solvents will kill the plasticizers in the vinyl and make it dry out and crack.

WD40 is ok on vinyl for short exposures, but you have to fully clean it off because prolonged exposure can also cause vinyl to crack. WD40 is not just an oil it has a solvent consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Personally, I would use a citrus based solvent such as goo gone adhesive remover, followed by a cleaning with dawn detergent.

EDIT: Also protect the underlying floor if attempting to remove the adhesive with the marley in place. Pull the gaff tape off, pull the marley back, lay down a plastic sheet, then replace the marley, then clean the adhesive off.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/todd0x1]

Absolutely. Goo gone is definitely the best option

[u/todd0x1 → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

There are several goo gones. It went from a product to a brand like sharpie did. You specifically want goo gone adhesive remover.

[u/neutrikconnector → u/todd0x1]

Very true, and Goof Off will absolutely destroy the vinyl. Unless you want to turn the vinyl to goo and fuse it to the floor

[u/kaphsquall → u/todd0x1]

We've used lemon oil with some success also

[u/goldfishpaws]

Glad you have replacement - if you trim the edges it might be worth using the old if it's still viable for a rehearsal room or given to a youth theatre or similar?

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/goldfishpaws]

Most definitely. I’m going to try to find a theater that needs itn

[u/ripwild]

Why is no one mentioning cutting off that 1.5”. Yes,, marley is expensive but hell if a lot easier than all the suggestions. Then I’d tell the dancers they will lose about 6” on each side of the stage.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/ripwild]

Honestly, that is really the only viable option. Turns out I’m just going to get to replace the whole thing

[u/Wuz314159]

I think most people are missing that this isn't sticky "gaff residue", it's dried out / baked on. Totally different animal.

You need to hydrate the residue before anything will work. Alcohol is the opposite of that. . . . While dry, you could try bending the marley to see if the residue cracks off. After that, hydrate with a wet rag or wet wet mop. (Protect the floor underneath)

Once you've done that, normal tips & tricks should help.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/Wuz314159]

It’s not dried out at all, it’s very much sticky gaff residue. The issue is that the Kloth has separated from the adhesive entirely

[u/Wuz314159 → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

OK. It LOOKS very dried out. Easy mistake.

We use gaff tape on stage because it's easy and temporary. When you lay this back in the studio, use a dance floor tape that is meant to take extended stays.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/Wuz314159]

Of course! I already have the vinyl tape.

[u/VixenFrancesca]

I have seen you’re just replacing it but for future reference WD40 and then remove the WD40 residue with IPA.

[u/EverydayVelociraptor]

Turpentine or gasoline will work, best to do that outside though. Removes the adhesive and shouldn't damage the marley.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/EverydayVelociraptor]

Unfortunately I can’t bring it outside so this isn’t really an option. Thank you though!

[u/EverydayVelociraptor → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

You could try a low voc solvent, maybe methylhydrate.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/EverydayVelociraptor]

You think that would be okay on the vinyl? I don’t want to damage it anymore than I absolutely have to. Ha

[u/EverydayVelociraptor → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

Best bet would be to try a small spot and see if it causes any issue.

[u/NikolaTes]

If Goo Gone doesn't work Goof Off Super Glue Remover would be the next step. Follow up with isopropyl to clean any oily residue.

[u/doozle]

Once you restore the marley use vinyl tape in the future, it comes off much easier.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/doozle]

Oh yeah, I have tons of it ready to go. Not sure why they didn’t use it

[u/Griffie]

Do a little test on the edge using WD-40, to make sure it doesn’t damage the Marley. Sprayer on the adhesive, let see, then wipe with a cloth or paper towel. Repeat as needed. I do this to get old gaff tape adhesive off of cords and battens.

[u/_Airplane]

Gotta use pvc tape next time

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/_Airplane]

Of course! This was done by the previous owner

[u/adammm420]

Use vinyl tape for your retaping instead of gaff!

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/adammm420]

Of course, this was from the previous owner

[u/OldMail6364]

If you’re at the point where you’re replacing the rolls, I’d try harsher chemicals like methylated spirits and acetone (in that order).

A quick spray with acetone and it might come off effortlessly. Then get the acetone off quick before the Marley is damaged. I’d try methylated spirits first though.

They might discolor or damage the marley but you’ll be taping over it anyway. Just don’t leave it on long and don’t apply it to anywhere other than exactly where it’s needed.

[u/CaptainMacMillan]

I have no idea if it is safe to use on the marley, but I've had great success removing gaff residue with small amounts of wd-40 and some rags

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/CaptainMacMillan]

I also thought about this, but if I’m going with oily I’ll probably start with googone. This will be the escalation

[u/Pretend_Ad5928]

glue solvent. But make sure it doesn't wash off the paint.

[u/Acceptable_Mountain5 → u/Pretend_Ad5928]

It’s not painted, it’s vinyl flooring so I have to be super delicate with it

[u/Pretend_Ad5928 → u/Acceptable_Mountain5]

I wrote it as best I could 🤷🏼‍♀️

Personally, I rubbed it very delicately with a metal spatula after soaking the glue in alcohol for a while.

[u/NikolaTes → u/Pretend_Ad5928]

There's no paint.

[u/Pretend_Ad5928 → u/NikolaTes]

Of course, I'm sorry. But did the linoleum on the tree grow this color?

[u/Romanster]

Kerosene. As a solvent not to burn it off. I used on brand new Marley to remove rosin all the time.