I passed the 3M tape removal question along to a former 3M adhesives engineer - here is his response. __________
To remove reflective tape (old or new) 1. Do not try to scrape the tape off. It will just make the job harder to do! 2. Find a hot air gun (not a hair dryer, but a hot air gun), like what is used to strip paint. 3. Do not try to use a torch, because it will burn the tape backing and make the procedure fail. 4. Warm the tape with the hot air gun with back and forth motion. Do not let the backing bubble up. 5. Now leave the hot air on one end of the tape and try to lift the corner with a forceps. 6. Once you have at least 1/8" of tape pulled up switch to a pliers and direct heat to the area where the tape meets the metal. 7. Pull the tape back on itself and away from where you are directing the hot air. 8. The tape should peel away from the metal. 9. Any adhesive residue can be cleaned by soaking with orange oil adhesive remover. (solvents will evaporate before they can relax or soften the adhesive. After the orange oil has been on for 1-24 hours you can finish the cleanup with solvent)
If you first soften the tape with mild heat, and then direct most of the heat to the metal when peeling the tape back, there will only be a slight amount of adhesive residue when you are done. (adhesive will stick to the warm tape and release from the hot metal) ___________
Hope this is helpful.
Brian Baysinger