Acetone (aka nail polish remover) safe for carbon rims?
Muc Off rim tape leaves a nasty residue that other, replacement tapes refuse to stick to. Have tried isopropyl alcohol (91%) but some spots simply remain tacky after repeated scrubbing.
Am also considering:
(kiddingâŠ)Effetto Mariposaâs âCarogna Removerâ would probably do it, if you can find it anywhere - itâs tubular glue removal stuff.
Acetone is safe on epoxy matrix but probably not your best bet for a rubbery adhesive. Your best bets are things from the terpene family eg limonene (citrus oil), pinene (gum turpentine) or cineole (eucalyptus oil), or a substituted aromatic like xylene or toluene. These have lower polarity and hydrogen bonding parameters so are more compatible with isoprenoids and similar.
The terpenes are probably more effective than the aromatics, definitely less toxic and very definitely more expensive. Ethyl acetate is slightly better than acetone but probably not enough to make a difference.
If melamine foam works, it works. Since this is mechanical itâs hard to predict. It will do no harm.
Long version: rubbers are polymers of isoprene which is fairly non polar, Hansen parameters are 14.7, 1.4, 4.1. On the principle that like dissolves like, you need a solvent with low but not zero polarity and hydrogen bonding numbers. Of commonly available non toxic solvents, terpenes with typical numbers around 17, 5, 4 are a good bet. These are also sustainably produced.
Acetone is 15.5, 10.4, 7.0 so itâs too polar and itâs a petrochemical. Ethyl acetate is slightly better, 16.7, 4.3, 7.2 and is usually produced from ethanol.
Substituted aromatics like toluene are somewhat less polar (around 18, 1, 2) but also likely to work. They require more stringent handling protocols due to respiratory toxicity and are also petrochemicals.
Came for the cycling, stayed for the organic chemistry!
I have successfully used Goo Gone when necessary. Some tapes are worse than others with leaving a residue.
My problem experience with Acetone was the rapid evaporation rate.
I recently had this problem, and after trying acetone, Citrol (a citrus cleaner), and IPA w/ cheap microfiber cloths, switching to scotchbrite pads soaked in IPA finally worked well enough to get the replacement tape to stick. Still took a fair bit of scrubbing to get the rim clean though.
Based on an above reply, sounds like citrol and scotchbrite pads probably would have worked been even better.
From the class of workshop chemicals a friend referred to as âmethyl ethyl badstuffâ 
Sorry, Muc Off tubeless rim tape claimed another victim!
I donât think I have tried acetone but I have tried Goo Gone and Mötsenböcker Lift Off adhesive remover (I think itâs known as Lift Off now) and even with them, I needed tons of elbow grease and a whole lotta time to completely remove the stubborn Muc Off adhesive.