3M Transpore tape leaves gooey residue

[Peter Wu]

I need to tape lapel mic wire to the inside of people's clothing so they don't fly out. I read somewhere to use 3M transpore tape so that's what I bought. I think this tape was recommended because it is safe to use on skin.

It worked for a while but recently it is leaving gooey tape residue on mic wires.

Why is that? Was it bad idea to use this tape?

Can I use tapes I already have like electrical tape or gaffer's tape for this purpose? I don't need to tape mic wires to skin because people I interview are fully clothed.

[Paul R Johnson]

It leaves residue that if not cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol, attracts gunge, as all stickier types do. Gaffer has the stickiest surface so will remove fine fibres and need proper cleaning from cable and costume. Electrical tape is useless for your purpose. If you’re happy with transpore for the job, carry on, and just clean properly

[Rick Reineke]

Unfortunately isopropyl alcohol does not work well removing heavy deposits of the Transpore tape goo, especially if it has been on the cable for a while, It just spreads it around and becomes sticky over a larger area when the alcohol dries. In my experience, GooGone 'Pro Power' works the best. Just leave let it set on the goo for ten minutes or so, then wipe it off with some more GooGone on a paper towel, Then wipe off the GG residue with soap and water or alcohol. WD40 or lighter fluid can work, but not as good as GooGone Pro Pwr. Hospital grade surgical tape remover works good but it is naturally more expensive than the household or industrial products, btw, I would only use the hospital surgical tape remover or alcohol on someone's skin/
Deposits on capsules and such can often be removed by dabbing the residue with a fresh piece of gaffer tape on the goo, which will often stick to the gaffer tape when it is pulled off but YMMV though depending on how long the goo has been there. I have tried mineral oil as well is but the results were mediocre. Avoid getting any kind of solvent or liguid in the capsule.

[Allan Black]

Interesting Rick. I’ve had a Manfrotto 523Proi pan handle for a few years now, it works very well but the rubber mid section has become very ‘sticky.’

Can’t believe a company like that would sell a product like this, I notice it’s been discontinued. Have you seen anything like this and do you have any idea how to remove the sticky - thanks.

Cheers.

[Dave Baker]

It seems to happen with quite a lot of products, Wacom pens being one of mine. Washing the sticky parts with soap and water helps.

[Rick Reineke]

My response was in regard to 3M's Transpore tape. I have little experience with other sticky substances aside from adhesive tape residue.

[Andrew Smith]

Asked an ICU nurse friend and she says they have cleansing wipes they use for any residue. Then she commented that she really only works with 'the big guns' (the really sticky stuff ... probably used for holding people together if I were to take a guess).

The cleansing wipes are likely isopropyl alcohol based, and they would likely only have the tape on for short periods of time such as 24 hours.

I've always used gaff tape and you don't tend to get gunk left behind. If you do, apply and remove some fresh tape which will then pull it away with its superior stickiness.

Andrew

[Allan Black]

Thanks guys, I’ll try a few.

Cheers.

[Ed Roo]

WD40 removes adhesives, crayon, chalk, poster paint and lots of other things.

[Allan Black]

Thanks Ed I’ll give that a shot too.
Cheers.