How do I remove this stuck on grip tape off the decking off the boat?

Daniel Adams
by Daniel Adams

This grip tape is toteally stuck. We've tried sanding it, scraping it and so on but it won't budge. What's the best way to take it off? It's stuck with a super strong industrial glue directly onto the wood. Thank you!

  10 answers
  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Jun 23, 2019

    Daniel....I would give Goo Gone a try....spray good and leave for a while then try scraping.

    Good luck!

  • JimmydaCreek JimmydaCreek on Jun 23, 2019

    Score it to allow penetration through the surface layer to the adhesive, then spray liberally with WD-40. Wait an hour or so then scrape with a plastic putty knife to avoid gouging the fiberglass or whatever below. Looks solidly attached. May have to repeat several times. As an alternative, can you cover it with something?

  • MaggieMae MaggieMae on Jun 23, 2019

    After applying the chemicals mentioned above use a blow dryer to heat it then peel it off.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jun 23, 2019

    I would actually speak to the people at your marina for their thoughts on this.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jun 23, 2019

    Some chemicals may yellow the deck. Be careful.

    I would use Goo Off, not Goo Gone. I would soak cotton ball pads with it and let it be saturated for a day.

    Then I’d use a plastic scraper to loosen it up.

    • See 2 previous
    • Daniel Adams Daniel Adams on Jun 26, 2019

      It won't get to the glue though as it has the grip tape on top. We can't get to the glue.

  • William William on Jun 23, 2019

    I would use a heat gun to soften the glue and scrape it off. Getting any chemicals under the rubber would be tough. Keep the heat moving so not to burn or accidentally ignite the rubber. Fumes may be horrid. Wood definitely would need to be refinished.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jun 23, 2019

    If you know the brand of the tape, I would call the manufacturer & talk to Tech Services. They know their solvents.

  • Dee Dee on Jun 23, 2019

    You can try Acetone, the one in the blue can at Lowes not nail polish remover.

    But I would call a boat yard and ask if they have any ideas.

  • Terry Terry on Jun 23, 2019

    William and Cheryl gave the best advice for this issue. Calling the company that made the adhesive is what my husband would do first. He has worked on boats for over 35 years. William is spot on about the heat gun and slowly peeling it back. Recommend wearing a respirator due to fumes. Acetone will not remove this it will only clean the surface. Good luck sometimes its worth paying someone to do this type of job.