Removing PSA Adhesive from Dyneema?

[Fifty Weekends]

Hey I’ve got a dyneema tarp that has some PSA residue along the ridgeline. Basically the overlap of the two panels was slightly less than the width of the PSA tape, so about 1/8th inch of PSA remains. Every time I roll up the tarp it gets stuck together pretty tight where it touches the adhesive and I need to pry it apart carefully.

Anyone have an idea of how to get this stuff off? Ive tried Isopropyl Alcohol (70%) and also Goo Gone to no avail. This stuff never seems to stop being sticky.

[Sam Farrington]

Try:  Mineral Spirits  OR Acetone

just a suggestion and don’t know if they’ll work, but have for me on occasion.

[Roger Caffin]

But do it OUTSIDE!
Also, have a look at https://www.chemixguru.com/solvents-pu-psa-adhesive/
Beware toxicity.

Cheers

[JCH]

Rather than risk damaging the DCF by using solvents, you might first try using talcum powder to “remove” the stickiness.  Of course the adhesive would remain, and it may be visible with talc imbedded in it, but it would almost certainly not harm the tarp.

Worst case is it doesn’t work and you proceed with the solvents.

[R L]

I’m trying to envision the dilemma.  The tarp ridge line is where two separate sheets of DCF have been joined using a two sided tape.  The overlapping did not fully cover the tape.  A thin portion of the two sided tape along the entire length of the ridge is exposed.  Maybe perhaps adding a length of single sided DCF repair tape to cover the exposed area like a band aid will cover the wound.

[Fifty Weekends]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I’m trying things in the order of least invasive first. Believe it or not I have tried appying peanut butter to my hammock tarp ridge, that was certainly a strange thing to do. It did help a little bit but now Im worried some squirrel is going to take a bite.

Next I’ll try the talc idea. I am definitely a little concerned of solvents delaminating the seam.

[Brook / MtGL]

not sure of the brand of your tarp in order to guess what type of adhesive they use like the DSM official tape or the more MYOG style 3M9xxxPC or anything else…the 3M tapes are not difficult to be rubbed off by using your fingers….

[Sam Farrington]

Fifty,
After thinking about it, I got concerned about the suggestions I posted above,  The DCF consists of assembled dyneema threads in a mylar sandwich.  The mylar, a plastic, is very thin, much moreso than say, a cigarette pack wrapper.  The tape is probably another story; but I’d be very careful about whatever solvent you allow to get on the mylar, as it might ruin the DCF material.

[Josh J]

Could you just apply a small amount of silnet sealer to basically cover it?

[Dan]

I like the idea of covering the sticky area, e.g. with a very narrow piece of tape. I’m worried that a solvent could wick into the seam and weaken it.

[JCH]

I like the idea of covering the sticky area, e.g. with a very narrow piece of tape.

+1.

Simple.  Effective. Inexpensive. Minimal weight gain.
Using the full width of 3/4″ wide tape will almost certainly strengthen the seam.

[Author]

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