Daily Wire Tip May 30: Removing Residue From Wire

By on May 30, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
May 30, 2010

Question:

I’m new at Wire Wrapping, and I use the quilter’s tape on my wires. It leaves glue on my wire and I don’t know what to use to clean them, as I am working with gold & silver metal wire.

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 a hardware store.)

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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4 Comments

  1. avatar

    Margaret

    May 30, 2010 at 7:22 am

    I have found that using blue 3m painters tape works very well and does not leave any residue. It can be used more than once and can be found at most hardware stores in the painting area.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      May 30, 2010 at 9:30 am

      Yes Margaret, I also use blue painter’s tape, however in areas with high humidity it will not stay stuck, so I use quilter’s tape and was recently introduced to a new solution – pin stripe tape! (LOVE it!)

  2. avatar

    Carla Benefield

    May 30, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Denayured alcohol will work; however, there are much better products on the market and not as intense with the odor.
    Don’t laugh, but peanut butter will remove the sticky residue from practically anything from bottles to wire. You can use any vegetable oil for this.
    WD40 also works, but not as well.
    My personal favorite is Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil, nice fragrance and it won’t be caustic to your hands if you accidently spill the bottle. I like the original with the turquoise colored cap.
    And, no, I don’t sell Avon, but I have a list of over 100+ things this bath oil is great for besides a nice bath oil.

  3. avatar

    Marie Ilsley

    May 30, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Hi
    I also use Nail Polish Remover.It usually takes glue off of anything.Just wash with water after.