How to Remove Double-Sided Foam Tape

Double-sided foam tape is incredibly versatile and useful for a wide variety of DIY, crafting, and home improvement projects. However, removing it can be tricky once it’s firmly adhered. With some patience and the right techniques, you can remove even the strongest double-sided foam tape.

What is Double-Sided Foam Tape?

Double-sided foam tape is a type of adhesive tape that has a thin layer of foam as a backing material. It has adhesive on both sides, allowing it to stick to two surfaces at once. The foam backing gives it extra thickness and cushioning.

Some key features of double-sided foam tape:

Made from materials like polyethylene foam and acrylic adhesive
Available in various thicknesses, typically 1/16″ to 1/4″
Creates a permanent or semi-permanent bond depending on type
Strong adhesive that sticks well to most surfaces
Cushioning effect helps fill gaps and absorb vibration/shock
Often used for mounting, bonding, and foam crafts

The adhesive is specially formulated to stick well to common materials like wood, metal, glass, and plastics. The foam backing gives it more structure and thickness than a typical double-sided tape.

When is It Used?

Double-sided foam tape has many uses including:

Mounting and Installation

Securing molding, trim, wall panels, and frames to walls
Mounting mirrors or artwork to walls without nails
Attaching wire and cable guides neatly to surfaces
Holding wires and cables in place inside electronic devices
Securing automotive trim, body panels, emblems, etc.

Crafting

Making dimensional foam crafts like flowers, bows, and shapes
Attaching foam sheets together in layers or 3D forms
Sticking foam pieces to surfaces for decorative effects

Home Repair

Quick DIY furniture and cabinet repairs
Temporary fixes like sealing air leaks in windows
Filling gaps between surfaces as a cushion

Office Use

Securing posters, signs, hooks, dispensers, and organizers
Holding wires/cables along edges of desks, floors, and walls

How Strong is the Adhesive?

Double-sided foam tape is available in different adhesive strengths to suit various needs. Here are some of the most common types:

Light tack – Easy to remove, leaves no residue behind. Useful for temporarily holding lightweight objects or removable mounting.
Medium tack – Provides a good permanent bond for most indoor uses. May leave a bit of residue but can be removed with care. Good for general mounting and installation.
High tack – Very strong permanent adhesion meant for heavy mounting applications. Extremely difficult to remove once applied. Ideally will only be taken off once for installation purposes.
Super tack – The strongest permanent adhesive. Bonds instantly and is often impenetrable. Used for permanent installation of items that will never need removal.

So in summary, from easy to difficult to remove: light tack < medium tack < high tack < super tack.

The foam tape’s thickness also plays a role. Thicker tape provides more surface area for adhesion and usually sticks more aggressively. A 1/4″ tape will have a much stronger grip compared to a 1/16″ tape, assuming the same adhesive type.

Why Removing it Can be Difficult

Double-sided foam tape is engineered to stick to surfaces tenaciously to prevent items from loosening over time. While great for creating durable bonds, this makes the tape very stubborn to remove once in place.

Here are some of the reasons it can be so hard to get double-sided foam tape off:

Strong adhesive – Made to permanently adhere to most material types. Grips on tightly.
Bonds two surfaces – Sticks to the mounting surface AND the item, doubling the strength.
Foam backing – Provides more grab compared to flat tape. The cushioning texture clings.
Leaves residue – Even if the tape comes off, sticky adhesive residue is often left behind.
Stretchable – Foam tape can stretch and conform as you try to pull it up, holding on.
Thick – More adhesive is present with thicker foam tapes, increasing bonding power.
Hard to grip – The foam backing gives little to grab onto, making it hard to peel up.

So in short, everything about double-sided foam tape’s design makes it stubborn to separate once adhered firmly. But removing it is possible with the right techniques and tools.

How to Remove It from Different Surfaces

Double-sided foam tape can be used on almost any smooth, clean surface. Here are some tips for removing it from common materials:

Glass, Tile, Metal Surfaces

Glass, tiles, metals, and other extremely smooth surfaces often create the strongest bond with foam tape. Follow these steps:

Carefully slice through the tape’s foam backing using a sharp razor blade. Try to cut it into strips or a grid pattern.
Spray or apply rubbing alcohol underneath the sliced sections of tape. This helps loosen the adhesive’s grip.
Slowly scrape and roll the tape off section-by-section using a plastic putty knife, credit card, or scraper. Scrape in the direction of the cuts.
If any adhesive residue is left, scrub it off using alcohol or Goo Gone gel with a non-scratch scrubbing pad.
For small scraps of stubborn tape, use tweezers to slowly peel it up from the corners.

Wood Surfaces

Wood surfaces tend to be a bit more forgiving when removing double-sided foam tape:

Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the tape for 30-60 seconds. The heat softens the adhesive.
Grab one end of the tape and slowly pull up at a 90° angle while applying heat. The goal is to pull it off in one smooth piece.
Another option is to slide a thin putty knife or painter’s tool under the edge and slowly work it off while heating the tape. Take care not to gouge the wood.
If any residue remains, use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits or lighter fluid to remove it. Test cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first.

Drywall and Painted Surfaces

Use caution when dealing with foam tape on drywall or painted surfaces:

Heat the tape with a hair dryer or heat gun while gently pulling and rolling the softened tape off the wall.
Try carefully slicing through the tape with a razor blade without cutting into the wall surface below. This reduces resistance.
Slowly pull up at a 90° angle once hot using gentle, even pressure.
Don’t scrape aggressively across painted or papered surfaces which could cause damage.
For leftover adhesive, blot it with a cloth and Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol. Rinse with water to prevent stains.

Fabric and Upholstered Surfaces

Fabric, upholstery, and carpet can require the most delicate approach:

Carefully pick at the edges using tweezers or a straightened paper clip until you can grip the tape.
Heat the tape with a hair dryer as you slowly roll it back against itself to pull it up.
Place tape residue between wax paper or plastic wrap and iron over it with a warm (not hot) iron. The heat helps transfer the adhesive.
For heavier fabric, scrape over the residue using a dull butter knife warmed with a hair dryer.
Use Goo Gone applied lightly to a clean cloth to blot up any remaining sticker residue. Avoid over-saturating.

Automotive Surfaces

Removing foam tape from cars and motorcycles requires precision to avoid damaging the finish:

Warm the tape thoroughly with a heat gun. This helps soften the adhesive.
Wedge a plastic trim removal tool under the tape edge and slowly slice to break the bond as you pull up and out.
Maintain heat while pulling. For long pieces pull out and up at an angle.
Roll very slowly and apply heat to release without tearing foam or damaging paint.
Use Goo Gone Automotive spray gel to remove any leftover adhesive residue.

Helpful Tools and Solvents for Removal

Having the right tools makes getting those sticky tapes off easier. Here are some must-haves:

Solvents

Chemical solvents break down adhesive bonds. Useful options:

Rubbing alcohol – Weakens stickiness of glue without harsh chemicals. Safe for most surfaces.
Goo Gone – Citrus-based cleaner specifically made to remove sticker/tape gunk.
WD-40 – Lubricates and penetrates stuck-on tape. Helps dissolve residue.
Mineral spirits – Helps eliminate adhesives from wood without damaging finish.
Lighter fluid – Another mild solvent for removing adhesive from wood finishes.

Always test solvents in an inconspicuous area first to check for compatibility with the mounting surface.

Tools

Handy tools to help you scrape, slice, pry, and pull:

Putty knife – Use plastic knives to avoid scratching. Slide under tape edge and scrape.
Razor blades – Great for slicing through foam backing to reduce adhesion.
Plastic trim tools – Wedge the curved edge under tape and twist to lift up.
Dental floss – Slide behind tape and saw back and forth to cut through adhesive.
Tweezers – Helpful for picking up peeled edges of tape to pull off.
Hair dryer – Heat softens most tape adhesives for easier removal.
Heat gun – More powerful heat for thicker foam tapes. Melts the glue.
Plastic scrapers – Old credit cards, gift cards, and hotel key cards are handy for scraping off tape. The rigid plastic works perfectly without scratching.

Tips for Easier Removal

Follow these tips to remove double-sided foam tape as quickly and easily as possible:

Heat it before trying to peel/scrape off to soften the adhesive.
Cut through the tape foam backing first to reduce its removal resistance.
Pull slowly at a 90° angle for the most control and least surface damage.
Maintain a heat source on the tape as you pull to keep it softened.
Take your time and don’t rush. Patience prevents mistakes and damage.
Use light, even tension to roll back tape vs. just ripping it off.
Apply solvents like alcohol under the lifted edges of tape to further weaken adhesion.
Avoid letting tape sit for very long before removal. Fresh tape comes off cleaner.
Use plastic scrapers and gentle blades to avoid scraping or scratching mounting surfaces.

What to Avoid When Removing

Certain things should be avoided to prevent making the removal process harder or damaging surfaces:

Don’t just grab and rip aggressively at the tape. This usually leaves residue and foam bits behind.
Avoid scraping harshly with metal tools across smooth painted, glass, or delicate surfaces.
Don’t use excess force which can damage the material below the tape or break the item being unmounted.
Don’t apply chemical solvents directly to cloth, leather, or other absorbent surfaces. This can stain or discolor.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like paint thinner or acetone which could negatively react with surfaces.
Don’t use steam or soak fabric/upholstery mounted items to remove tape. Moisture can harm these materials.
Don’t leave tape remover solvents on surfaces to dry. Wipe them away immediately.
Avoid letting tape sit on surfaces for extended time before removal. Longer bonds are harder to break.

Double-Sided Foam Tape Alternatives

If you want to avoid the removal headache down the road, consider using alternative temporary mounting solutions:

Masking Tape

Masking tape peels up easily when done with a project. Look for clean release, non-smearing types suitable for delicate surfaces.

Temporary Adhesive Putty

Putty products like Fun-Tak stick items together but can be pulled off cleanly after. Great for temporary securing of cables, decor, etc.

Low-Tack Tape

Some double-sided tapes are designed to stick lightly, like removable poster tape. These avoid residue and damage during removal.

Suction Cups

For lightweight items on very smooth surfaces, use clear suction cups. They provide temporary gripping power without adhesive.

Nails, Screws, Bolts

For more permanent mounting into surfaces where holes are acceptable, use fasteners instead of glue tapes. They can be cleanly removed later.

Can You Re-use Double-Sided Foam Tape?

If you’ve only removed one side of a foam tape strip, you may wonder if the exposed sticky side can be reused:

Freshly exposed tape adhesive usually maintains much of its stickiness if the bonded side was removed cleanly.
Press it onto the new surface firmly to maximize re-adhesion. Heat from a hair dryer helps too.
However, contaminants stuck to the tape from the previous surface can reduce how well it bonds the second time.
For best results with re-using, wipe freshly exposed tape adhesive with rubbing alcohol before reapplying.
If the unexposed adhesive side seems dusty or dirty, it may need to be replaced with fresh tape.

So yes, double-sided foam tape can often be reused if one side remains clean and adequately sticky. But be aware performance may decrease. When possible, new tape is recommended.

Storing Leftover Pieces

To save pieces of foam tape for later use:

Make sure adhesive sides are covered by the original liner tape. Leaving them exposed reduces future stickiness as contaminants adhere.
Store vertically standing up vs. laying flat. This prevents the adhesive from smashing down and spreading out.
Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sun, heat, and humidity. Adhesives break down more quickly with exposure to these elements.
Small tape scraps can be stuck to a piece of clean silicone liner to keep adhesive contained. Then store as normal.
Foam tapes have shelf lives around 1-2 years if stored properly. After this, adhesion strength begins to decrease.

Proper storage preserves left over double-sided foam tape strips so they can be used effectively on future projects.

Disposing of Used Tape

Don’t just throw foam tape with sticky residue in the trash. The adhesive can glom onto other items. Instead:

Cover the used tape adhesive side completely with a non-stick liner, wax paper, or aluminum foil. This prevents stickiness and contains any residue.
Alternatively, allow used tape pieces to fully dry out until no longer sticky before disposal.
Peeling off what you can first then using a solvent like alcohol speeds up drying time.
Dried out tape can go directly into normal trash. No special handling is needed.
Never try to wash foam tape down drains. The adhesives can clog pipes.

Following these tips allows used double-sided foam tape to be disposed of safely and easily after completing your removal work.

When to Call a Professional

Removing foam tape yourself is ideal. But for some situations, calling a professional may be wise:

If tape was used on antique or highly delicate surfaces like fine art and you want to ensure no damage.
When tape was applied extensively across very large areas that would take days to remove manually.
If tape has been left for years on a surface and is now rock solid and embedded into the finish.
For specialty removal like vehicle decals or decor in hard to reach spots that requires detailing tools.
If the foam tape is paired with extremely strong adhesives like super glue that resist all solvents.
When dealing with lead paint or other hazardous materials that call for expert containment and handling.

So assess just how stubborn the tape is and how delicate the surface and make the call. Professionals have industrial tools and chemicals that make quick work of even the toughest adhesive removal jobs.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to remove strong double-sided foam tape?

The easiest and most effective removal method is using heat from a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive while slowly pulling the tape off at a 90° angle. Maintain the heat source on the tape as you pull gently. Solvents like alcohol also help weaken the bond when worked under lifted edges.

What homemade solution removes foam tape glue residue?

Mix equal parts baking soda and liquid dish soap into a paste. Apply this to leftover sticky residue and let sit for 5 minutes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. WD-40 or lighter fluid also work for residue on wood and metal. Avoid harsh chemicals that may interact poorly with surfaces.

What can I use if I don’t have commercial solvents to remove foam tape?

Household rubbing alcohol works very well at dissolving adhesive bonds. For wood finishes, try wiping the tape with cooking oil before pulling up. WD-40, vinegar, soapy water, and lemon juice can also help break down stickiness when gently scrubbed on residue spots.

Is there a tool I can buy that makes removing foam tape easier?

Yes, plastic trim and molding removal tools available at auto parts and hardware stores are perfect. They have a curved blade that easily wedges under tape edges to slice through the adhesive. Painter’s tools and plastic putty knives also work well.

How do I remove foam tape from glass without chemicals?

Heat the tape with a hair dryer until very warm and softened. Then press a single-edge razor blade flat against the glass and slide it under the warmed tape. Maintain heat and pull up slowly at 90°. The blade slices the adhesive away from the glass surface for easier, cleaner removal.