How to remove OLD/ANCIENT tape from a pole

[Russ]

I mentioned last week that we were cleaning out our track & field storage shed and unearthed some old black Cata-Poles. I'm curious to know whether anyone knows any tricks-of-the-trade or home remedies for removing old (perhaps 20+ years) tape from a pole? It is/was standard white tape, I think. I mean this reminds me of an Egyptologist trying to unwrap a mummy that he dug up along the banks of the Nile. This tape is really old and really stuck on there.

Thanks.

[das_1971]

If its old enough, after the tape is removed the residue should fade away with light use (IE plant drills). Placing new tape over the old resedue, waiting a short while, then removing the new tape sometimes works. If all else fails, You can use soppy water and some scrubbing with soft cloths or even a NON ABRASIVE degreeser. No lava or fast orange.

think thats about it...

[Fo_Sheezy]

Just peel the crusty tape off and use some paint thinner to get the residue off, whether its sticky or just flaky. And it won't damage the pole, it was even safe enough to use on my field hockey stick.