Thread: The EASIEST Way To Remove Tape Residue

I keep forgetting that not everyone knows this, but every now and then I get a reminder when someone makes a suggestion about a particular solvent that they declare works great for removing tape residue from the spine of a taped razor. First, I'll give a couple explanations for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about.

Many people put electrical tape on the spine of their razor to protect it during honing. Doing so serves as the equivalent of disconnecting the odometer cable on their razor. Some do it for the entire honing and some only do it during the initial stages of a bevel set. In order to use the tape properly, it needs to be replaced a few times during honing, and often when it is removed, especially during the heavier pressure of the bevel setting, tape residue is left on the spine of the razor. This is especially the case if you use a cheap brand of tape. Quality stuff like Scotch/3M tape leaves much less residue.

Often in this forum I read suggestions for various solvents to remove this residue. They may all work great, but none are as convenient, or as safe, as the easiest way. So without further ado, the easiest thing to remove tape residue is...

tape!

Yup, that piece of tape that you just pulled off the razor, the same tape that left the residue in the first place, is all you need. It's already in your hand. You're about to throw it away. You've already been exposed to the VOCs of the tape and there's no point adding more to your lungs. You're holding the tape in one hand and you're staring at the gunk on your razor in the other hand. Take advantage of the situation. Just dab the sticky side of the tape onto the regions of the spine that have the tape residue and they will all be removed with just a few dabs.

If you've been using acetone, kerosene, a fancy gun solvent, or your own personal chemical arsenal, you are going to be shocked at just how easy this is.