How to Remove Gaffer’s Tape Residue from Cables

When any adhesive or tape is utilized to keep cables in place, they are likely to remain covered with sticky residue. Removing gaffer’s tape residue from cables is easy with the right product. You’ll be surprised by how effortless the task becomes when you give this method a try!

• WD-40
• Clean rags

1. Wet the rag with WD-40. Generally, it’s less messy to spray the rag than it is the cable, but if the cables are really sticky, it might work better to apply directly to the cables.
2. Run the soaked rag down a length of the cable. Don’t try to scrub yet. First, you want to get the WD-40 on the residue so it can begin to do the work for you.
3. After a couple of minutes, begin wiping with the same WD-40 soaked rag, using pressure to remove the adhesive.
4. Repeat with a fresh coat of WD-40 as needed. Heavy residue may require more than one application for the WD-40 to work through the entire mess.
5. Once the adhesive is gone, wipe the entire cable with a clean, dry rag to remove any remaining residue.

• For particularly sticky situations, you can use a cloth scouring pad instead of a rag. It will provide more “oomph” without damaging the cables.
• If the residue isn’t coming off, make sure to apply a good coat of WD-40 and allow 5-15 minutes for it to work before you try wiping the residue away.
• There are other products to remove sticky residue including baby oil, rubbing alcohol and Goo Gone.