Anyone know how to remove tape marks from a game used bat?

[3arod13]

Anyone know how to remove tape marks from a game used bat? Bat is cracked, was taped, and over time, tape fell off, but the tape mark is there. How can you remove the clue from the tape on the bat, without hurting the bat?

Thanks

[Dewey2007]

This was posted by Jag Fan Dan in a recent thread:

I recently bought two bats that were cracked and had been "repaired" by somebody with ugly white tape wrapped around the upper handle/lower barrel. I knew when I bought the bats that the tape was coming off so I could do a better looking repair. The gunk that the tape left behind seemed like a pretty formidable opponent, but I used my wife's hairspray (White Rain, extra hold for those keeping score at home) and a rough dish sponge and it all came off very well.

[3arod13]

This was posted by Jag Fan Dan in a recent thread:

I recently bought two bats that were cracked and had been "repaired" by somebody with ugly white tape wrapped around the upper handle/lower barrel. I knew when I bought the bats that the tape was coming off so I could do a better looking repair. The gunk that the tape left behind seemed like a pretty formidable opponent, but I used my wife's hairspray (White Rain, extra hold for those keeping score at home) and a rough dish sponge and it all came off very well.

Great info, thanks! Did it eat through down to the bat and take off any of the game use on the bat?

[AstrosCollector]

a rough dish sponge

What kind of sponge is a rough dish sponge? Just like one of those normal yellow ones or one of the metal ones? I have a couple bats with the cracks taped up that I would like to remove.

[3arod13]

Great info guys!

The tape was place over the crack on the bat. It was only once pieice of tape wrapped around the crap, but the tape has been on there for 14 years. The tape glue is very hard. Tried to even scape some if it with my finger nail, but it's so hard, it wouldn't even come off.

I'm so hesitant to even attempt to remove the tape, only because I don't want it to eat through down to the bat where you're able to tell the tape was there/removed. Especially with the use on this bat. Don't want to take up any of the game use.

What is the best product to use?
Should I use a Q-tip vice sponge?
Should I not put the product directly on the tape and let it soak, or put it on the sponge or Q-tip first to lightly go over it to test it?

So hesitant to try it, but this tape just doesn't look good.

Tony

[Jags Fan Dan]

These are the items I used. The sponge is like a regular sponge on one side and much rougher, almost like steel wool but not quite that rough, on the other side. I know what you mean about the glue being so hard it seems like it is never going to come off. You have to soak it with the hairspray, scrub a bit, then soak it again, then scrub a bit more. I also used some warm water to wash all of the hairspray of the bat as soon as the gunk was gone. But in about ten minutes or so the bat will look all better!

[3arod13]

Your comments and advice are truly appreciated. I am so hesitant to try anything. Don't want to ruin the bat. Here's results of my internet search, however, some of these would ruin the wood/bat.

I don't know what to try/do. Tony

25 Helpful Items To Remove Sticky Adhesive Goo

Things like price stickers and labels, different types of tape (packing, masking, scotch tape) can leave behind a sticky gooey residue that’s a tricky mess to remove. Here’s a list of items that can help make the cleanup job a lot easier.
Careful: Please test in an unnoticeable area first to make sure there will be no damage to the surface (especially on wood).
How To Remove Sticker Adhesive

1. Nail Polish Remover
2. Petroleum Jelly
3. Toothpaste
4. Hand Lotion
5. Hair Spray
6. Baby Oil (mineral oil)
7. Vinegar (soak cloth, apply to goo then leave for awhile–even overnight)
8. Rubbing Alcohol
9. Windex
10. Baking Soda & Water Paste (just rub gently into the goo, then wipe off with a warm wet cloth)
11. Lighter Fluid
12. Kerosene
13. WD-40 (set for 5 minutes)
14. Paint Thinner
15. Rubber Cement Thinner
16. Artgum Erasers
17. Peanut Butter
18. Vegetable Oil (set for about 2 hours)
19. Margarine
20. Mayonnaise (leave set for a few hours or overnight)
21. Goo Gone
22. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
23. Furniture Polish
24. For surfaces that you’re afraid to damage, try heating the sticky goo with a hair dryer then wiping off (firmly) with a wet warm & soapy cloth.
25. Duct Tape (stick on goo firmly, life tape up quickly, repeat as needed)

Tips to remove duct tape adhesive: try lighter fluid or WD-40
Once adhesive goo has been removed, wash surface as you normally would. If one method doesn’t work for your particular sticky spot, wash off the remainder of the remedy you tried and choose another.

[3arod13]

These are the items I used. The sponge is like a regular sponge on one side and much rougher, almost like steel wool but not quite that rough, on the other side. I know what you mean about the glue being so hard it seems like it is never going to come off. You have to soak it with the hairspray, scrub a bit, then soak it again, then scrub a bit more. I also used some warm water to wash all of the hairspray of the bat as soon as the gunk was gone. But in about ten minutes or so the bat will look all better!

Were you able to tell that tape was removed? Did it go through to the bat?

[3arod13]

Here's what it look like. Don't want to attempt to remove the tape glue if it would eat through and take up any of the game use

[Dewey2007]

I personally didn't try this method to remove tape from a game used bat. He seemed to post this info more as an FYI.

The original thread was about removing autographs from game used bats.

Good luck!