Maybe the tape was there to prevent the pedal or cowbell holder clamps from marring the wood. Tape residue can be difficult.

3M makes an adhesive remover, but I'd want to make sure it didn't do harm.

WD40 works pretty good and is generally very safe. Sometimes you can spray it on and leave it for awhile and it will soften things up. Sometimes WD40 and a green scrubbie will work. There's times when old adhesive gets hard and it's really difficult.

Often you'll wear out your fingernail getting stuff like that off. Auto parts places sell plastic one sided razor blades used to take stickers off of windshields that have special coatings. Those plastic razor blades are close to your fingernail and can help sometimes.

Always test stuff on a spot you won't see.

A green scotch brite pad, dishsoap or some other extremely mild lubricant, and a lot of elbow grease!! WD40 is not really meant for this application. The WD in WD40 actually means "water displacement" and this residue is not water based. The WD40 could also "stain" your wood hoop or the insides of your drums. Ever see overspray on a wooden work bench or something like that? It is a noticeably darker area.

Removing anything from any surface always comes back to a question of hardness. The removal apparatus should be harder than the residue BUT not harder than the item the residue is being removed from or damage, obviously, can occur. This being said, the fast, easy ways are always the most prone to damaging your kit while the slow, painstaking methods will work with little chance of damage. Human beings are naturally programmed to avoid pain. This is why those manufacturers make millions off of the "easy" solvents to remove stuff. I say don't give in to em and put the work in. It will be all the sweeter when you are finished.

Pick your poison. A sore arm or a damaged drum. LOL

Hope this helps.

drumhack

The 3M adhesive remover is the way to go. You can get it at an auto parts store in their repair section. Red and white can. I just used it on the kit I was working on in the same way. Duct tape on the bass drum hoop and 20 year old masking tape stuck on the wrap of the drum.

I used GOO GONE when trying to clean dried duct tape adhesive off the shells of my '71 Ludwigs (pics and some details on the re-hab here: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=8069). It did work, and there were no adverse effects, but because it's so mild and was working kind of slowly, I eventually moved up to something stronger. GOOF OFF is a petroleum based solvent, which made me a little nervous, but I used it sparingly and didn't leave it on for very long, and it really did the trick with no noticeable problems. YMMV.

Scott

Thanks much folks! The 3m stuff and the plastic razor blade sound GREAT. Going to head over to the parts store in just a bit and pick them up. WD40, makes me nervous around plastic (wrap). A buddy of mine swore it was great for cleaning stuff and curled up a plastic finish on something belonging to his wife. Not something for the squeamish or weak of heart. While I'm sure it was one of the other gazillions of plastics, I'd rather not press my luck. Thanks anyway, though. I'll go for elbow grease, sore shoulders and mild cleaners.

The 3M stuff you can use with an old Tshirt or for a little more grit a terry cloth towel. It works really really well and is designed to do exactly the job that you want it for. It will not take much elbow grease at all. :)

Personally I would be more scared of the 3M stuff than WD40... I've used WD40 on Ludwig, Slingerland and Gretsch drum pearl without problems. Drum pearl is pretty robust stuff.

The safest adhesive remover is probably, believe it or not, peanut butter.

Peanut Butter? Chunky or creamy?

HOLY SMOKES!

I used some PB and it WORKED GREAT! A bit on a rag, let it sit on the residue for five minutes or so, wipes right off. Downside, my dogs want to eat the rag.

Thanks for the tip!