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How do you remove 3M tape from your car body?

I used some 3M mounting tape on my car to help my daughter hang up a picture for a few weeks. It was 100% worth it, but now I have no clue how to get it off. What should I do to remove 3M tape from my car’s body?

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Taping your car may sound great in the short term, but it’s not always smart in the long run.
Sticky residue
can be hard to get off, and the tape itself could damage your paint! Luckily, you can follow these steps to remove 3M tape from your car without damaging it.
  • Step 1: Soak a cloth in hot water and lay it over the tape. The heat and steam will loosen the adhesive.
  • Step 2: Pick up an edge of the tape with a plastic scraper, being careful not to scratch the car.
  • Step 3: Slowly peel off the tape while taking extra care not to damage the paint.
  • Step 4: Clean off remaining adhesive with adhesive removal products like Goo Gone.
  • Step 5: Clean the area with soap and water to remove any excess adhesive or product.
Your car should now be tape free! Remember that mounting tape is strong—so you can probably get away with some 3M masking tape next time.
While you’re waiting for the tape to soak, take a minute to save on car insurance with
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