Removing tape sticky without removing finish

[fender3x]

My slowness has caught up with me and bitten me in the...lower back area.

I used 3M vinyl tape on some binding, and blue painter's tape on a rosewood finger board. And then I left them for a LONG time. I have now finished the back the neck, and pulled off the tape...which has left a bit of sticky residue. The top coat is Brite Tone water based poly. Any suggestions on what I might use to get rid of the sticky without also removing the finish?

[Trevor Davies]

I'm not sure about the vinyl tape residue on the binding. Have you finished the final coats? I have read that olive oil can be used to remove sticky residue! I would only try it if you have finished the final coats.

But the blue painter's tape on the rosewood fretboard may come off when you add the lemon oil (or your fretboard oil). Try a little section first. Or use a razor blade as a scraper to scrape the sticky residue off. (I have a neck at school with residue from painters tape - I will try the lemon oil to see if it works!)

[Dikkybee007]

Try some eucalyptus oil.

[Trevor Davies]

I'm not sure about the vinyl tape residue on the binding. Have you finished the final coats? I have read that olive oil can be used to remove sticky residue! I would only try it if you have finished the final coats.

But the blue painter's tape on the rosewood fretboard may come off when you add the lemon oil (or your fretboard oil). Try a little section first. Or use a razor blade as a scraper to scrape the sticky residue off. (I have a neck at school with residue from painters tape - I will try the lemon oil to see if it works!)

Lemon oil by itself did not remove the residue! It made it difficult to see, but I could still feel it. I did not have a scraper!

Dikkybee's suggestion of eucalyptus oil - do you have this in USA? I use it to remove residue a lot - but not off guitar finishes. I would test in a small area. I have never used it on fretboards!

[fender3x]

Lemon oil by itself did not remove the residue! It made it difficult to see, but I could still feel it. I did not have a scraper!

Dikkybee's suggestion of eucalyptus oil - do you have this in USA? I use it to remove residue a lot - but not off guitar finishes. I would test in a small area. I have never used it on fretboards!

Thanks for the tests! I can get eucalyptus oil here. It's pricey, and seems to be used primarily for fragrance, skin care, and healing powers. I have a bit of time to think about it, and maybe do a test or two. I asked on the Crystalac facebook page for instrument finishes what they suggest. Most people said Naphtha. Sort of the opposite of Eucalyptus oil, which purports to be healthy and most of what I see on Amazon is USDA certified organic. Naphtha, however, is evidently toxic enough that I can't find it at the big box stores.

The mfg recommends that I use "Crystalac Surface Conditioner" which is non toxic and, with shipping, even pricier than eucalyptus oil.