What on earth can I use to remove this from windows?

[Foolsgold74]

It's residue from sticky tape and it's left a real mess. I've tried specialist sticky stuff remover, nail varnish remover, baby oil, wd40, a plain old scraper, a glue gun, a hairdryer, a steamer and nothing has budged it. Any suggestions? It's a real eye sore. (If there's no pic yet, it's because its still under review).

A blade works a bit of some of it but not really. It certainly doesn't do a clean job of it.

I had this problem. My Dad gave me some OB1 Paint and Varnish remover spray to try on it and it worked. Spray it on and leave a few seconds, it bubbles up (which shows it's working) and you should be able to wipe it away.

Tried this. Made zero impact.

When you used nail varnish was it a nail varnish for builders gel?

eucalyptus oil maybe?

Just googled this and it's the first result on you tube. Will give it a go.

I tried everything from nail tip remover to WD40. Finally soaked it with plain cooking oil, but the secret weapon that removed it was a palette knife from the kitchen drawer.

Cover it with white vinyl contact paper or similar disguise. Or uPvc frames can be prepared and painted with appropriate paint. I wouldn't waste any more time on it TBH, apart from trying the simple suggestion above of Zoff as a last resort.

I have this issue and tried pure acetone, didn’t work.

Hoping someone turns up with an actual known fix because my bathroom window looks horrific.

I just checked my nail varnish remover. It's acetone free!!

I second isopropyl alcohol. We have had a bottle of it for over 35 years and it has never failed us!

Hairspray.

This is currently what I'm thinking. It's not a flat surface though. There's still the remains of the velcro in places and it's a mm or 2 thick.
I genuinely feel like sueing the sticky-back velcro seller, as its ruined my windows.

My window looks like yours and I’ve tried acetone, 99% rubbing alcohol, oil, a very expensive adhesive remover spray that did bugger all, scraping, sanding (it just destroyed my fingers and the window frame) and many other cleaners/chemicals.

I’ve officially admitted defeat and plan on sitting in my bathroom for 12 hours with a knife just gradually scrapping tiny sections off

Seconding eucalyptus oil. It’s useful for removing all manner of sticky things. Smells nice too.

The only solvents I can't see on your list are the petroleum base ones. Petrol, or naptha. I had something very similar but it was on glass fibre, plastic chafe patch cracking off and glue gone completely solid so I was able to use a hot air gun and a scraper but I wouldn't want to get upvc that hot. I have used something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-Carbide-Edged-Pocket-Scraper/dp/B000288LOW/ref=sr1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ccr9ymZoc1JPQU3sPKYL1qdHJJ9IT84AiqujeEC8GYTWQOCnCnmvDGbhWUQNzQVDEhd-s9hYt5RgwjveWQ57HAZpXfCtHMbHvQrYC4EZDk-Bx8mQyPkwvfxWCVxqo-224vfgAg3LXulF-lDbAIiPVxnkR0c5g2rJ3F98InczRSD6pYTK22hiIU38qXLnyJWjB1-8BjlETXrbjeCS1r2FRHhi4lCKt19vyeo8zfywHEwIdjKXiSo-62N1dd2jepI8f8xI8Shy3bgzqU5EQRYznroOAIZIchxyFzGFAtoNU.wfI6EvBflHLEqDOniEkmURSP7dUpIp0uPv2OsMKdxw&dibtag=se&keywords=triangle+scraper&qid=1756392545&sr=8-10 when removing anti foul paint. It seemed to work best when being pulled not pushed once you get the angle right it catches the very slightly rough edges and flicks small bits off. Start working from the edge in. Very easy to dig in a corner though if you can grind them off first its safer. Maybe try toolstation or screwfix for something similar

You can get filler specifically for uPvc. Maybe go to a paint specialist shop and see what they say. Might be a job for the tradies who know all the tricks of the trade. Paint shop might be able to recommend someone if you want to go down that route. Good luck.

Just seen your message about no acetone in you nail varnish remover so acetone is a definite to try. It's used to clean upvc as well so not wasted if it doesn't work. You are still going to need a scraper that works. If it does soften it be carefull to scrape inwards so you don't make a larger mess.

Literally zero point using vinegar and bicarb together. They cancel each other out.

Use vinegar as a mild acid to dissolve stuff like in the loo. Use bicarb with water as a paste to de-grot stuff like oven doors, stainless steel hob etc.

Literally zero use together. Zero.

You need a good adhesive remover. Anything to harsh will damage the frame. I work on post construction cleaning and we remove the sticky protective cover and painters tape every day. Spray with EZ strip or goo gone something similar. Most good adhesive removers are orange oil based. Spray and leave, then use a plastic blade to remove tape. Go over it with a magic eraser and dish soap solution to remove the residue.

It sounds like it has crosslinked.

Probably the best way to get rid of it would be softening it up using solvent then you should be able to scrape it off, probably with a plastic putty knife so as not to damage the surface. The problem is that you need to get the solvent in contact with the material for a long time to soften it, and if you paint on something like IPA or acetone it would probably evaporate. unless you found a way of enclosing it.

I know you said you have tried WD40, but maybe repeated treatments of it leaving it to soak in would work as it is less likely to evaporate and will stay in contact with the surface.

Eventually this stuff will give way to solvent if it is in contact with it long enough. It is just a matter of keeping the solvent in contact with it long enough for it to soak in.

Glass cleaner

Mis à tablespoon of vegetable oil with a teaspoon of cream of tartar or bicarbonate of soda, coat it liberally, leave for a wee while and clean it off. I just took tape residue off a window with that.

Cif cream cleaner

Came here to say Zoff. I get mine on amazon. Brilliant stuff