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Daily Wire Tip July 27: Glue Residue on Wires

By on July 26, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
July 27, 2010

Question:

I’m new at wire wrapping, and I use quilter’s tape on my wires. It works great, but it leaves glue on my wires and I don’t know what to use to clean them; I am working with gold and silver wire.

-Gay in Star, Idaho

Answer:

A cotton swab or clean piece of t-shirt that has been dampened with denatured alcohol will easily remove any tape residue as well as unwanted marker from any of your wire jewelry, with no harm to the wire.

After cleaning, wipe the area clean with a dry, clean t-shirt scrap or a polishing cloth. You can find denatured alcohol at any hardware store.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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7 Comments

  1. avatar

    Steve Gray

    July 27, 2010 at 7:11 am

    You might want to try the blue painters tape. It isn’t as sticky and it doesn’t leave any residue.

  2. avatar

    mary

    July 27, 2010 at 7:45 am

    Another good item is a product called “Goof Off” which you can buy at any grocery store or home center. It will remove anything from surfaces. I use a little bit on a q-tip and wipe the glue residue right off as well as any marker ink left behind. I also keep a small square of t-shirt with the cleaning material on it in a small zip lock baggie as well. Then follow up as Dale states by wiping with a piece of old t-shirt material.

  3. avatar

    Kate

    July 27, 2010 at 9:22 am

    Gay, you can also use blue painter’s tape in the future. It doesn’t leave any residue to worry about. You can get it at any hardware store.

  4. avatar

    DeLane

    July 27, 2010 at 10:24 am

    Don’t forget to wash the jewelry piece with soap and warm water to remove the alcohol, or whatever you clean the residue with. Some people could react to the cleaner. Just to be on the safe side, wash it.

  5. avatar

    Mary

    July 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    I also use the quilters tape when binding and have found that besides the denatured alcohol, I can use another product referred to as “goof off” that you can pick up at any home center or grocery store. I spray it on a small square of t-shirt material and keep it stored in a small zip lock baggie till needed. Then I just simply take it out and wipe down my jewelry piece and it removes any residue or marker ink without a problem.

  6. avatar

    Karen

    July 28, 2010 at 1:03 am

    My mileage with the blue painter’s tape is that it does not hold. I need the extra hold of the quilter’s tape. Yeah, the blue tape isn’t sticky and it does not leave a residue. Perhaps mine is too old or from a bad batch or a different manufacturer? Who knows?!

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      July 29, 2010 at 12:16 am

      Hi Karen, I use a lot of different tapes (as mentioned in numerous posts). Sometimes blue painter’s tape can be a bit old and not stick as well as is should and in areas of high humidity it hardly holds at all. With experience, everyone will find their own favorites, often changing with the seasons.