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How-To: Floor Marking Tape Removal

How-To: Floor Marking Tape Removal

Updated on: February 3, 2026 2 MINUTE WATCH Published on: May 31, 2024

In this video, we'll guide you through the process of removing pre-existing floor marking tape in your facility before in preparation of applying your new DuraLabel PathFinder floor marking tape.

Floor Tape Removal Instructions:

1. Clear the area of any obstacles or equipment.

2. Use a heat source, such as a heat gun, to soften the adhesive. This makes tape removal easier.

3. Begin at one end of the tape and slowly peel it back at an angle. Apply steady, even pressure to avoid tearing or leaving residue.
4. Work your way along the length of the tape, continuing to peel it back slowly and carefully. If the tape resists, apply more heat to soften it.
5. If the floor tape intersects or overlaps in areas, cut through the tape along the intersection lines carefully using a tool, like a utility knife.
6. Clean the area using a commercial adhesive remover or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent (see floor prep instructions).

7. If necessary, loosen leftover residue with a heat source. Scrape the softened adhesive residue with a scrub brush or putty knife to remove it.

8. Use isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to ensure the area is thoroughly cleaned. Let dry.

You are now ready to prep and clean your floor!

Timestamps:

0:10 Step 1: Tape Removal

0:13 Useful Tools

0:17 Heat Gun

0:22 Putty Knife

0:35 Utility Knife

0:42 Tape Removal

1:00 Ready to Prep and Clean

Additional Resources:

• Floor Marking Instant Action Guide

• Floor Marking Supplies

• Facility Signage Handbook

What's Floor Marking Tape Removal?

Video Transcription

Even the best floor tape ages over time. Watch as we remove this ten year old floor tape in preparation for DuraLabel's Pathfinder heavy duty floor marking tape.

The first step being tape removal. We are using a heat gun, putty, and utility knife to help along the way. Preheat the gun to five hundred degrees and then hover closely over the tape for a few minutes to where it starts to bubble. Now at the start of the section, we will begin lifting up the tape using the putty knife if necessary.

Make sure to keep using the heat gun along the way. As you make your way to the end of the removal, grab the utility knife to cut your end point.

As you remove the rest of the tape from the ground, make sure that you use the heat gun on the leftover adhesive so it can be properly removed with a putty knife if necessary before moving on to the next step of prepping and cleaning the floor.

After removal, now you are ready to start prepping and cleaning the floor so you can apply your new DuraLabel floor marking tape. Thank you for watching.