> From: "aokvw1" <aokvw1@excite.com>
> Hello. .....<snip>
...I am wondering if an expert here could help me with a little general
restoration assistance. I am trying to find a safe way to remove the
dried, hardened, residue on the handlebars from the OLD Bailey III padded
handlebar tape previously on the bike. When I tried to remove it, it stuck
like glue. Any ideas on a method to get it off, without damaging those
alloy bars? Thanks in advance.
> Mike Blanchard near Philadelphia
welcome! Was the Bailey tape a foam type of tape? If you have chunks of foam stuck on, I'd take a putty knife or something similar to get the chunks off. Make sure you don't nick the bar in the process. When you are down to just gummy residue of the adhesive, then you need a solvent. Mineral spirits are a mild solvent, and only partly effective. Laquer thinner is a better/nastier solvent, and is what I recently used to clean up an old h'bar. Use only in a well ventilated area, use latex/rubber gloves, do not drink it, etc.
good luck,
Steve Kurt
Peoria, IL