I did a little reading, and found a few posts here regarding the tools for removing different things, including gaff tape. What I didn't find was anything on masking tape on a drum head.
I have a 1965 kit I picked up the other day, and the owner - probably about 30 years ago - taped a pad on the bass drum. Now I have a head with tape residue all over it.
I tried Goo Gone, which KIND of worked, but after 2 applications, I've removed very little. Does anyone have a better idea?
Randy
I would just get a new head honestly
Assuming it's not a calfskin head...
If it's a smooth head, acetone would probably work well. It'll remove a lot of things and generally doesn't react with the polyester films most plastic drum heads are made from.
If it's a textured (coated) head, it may be tricky to find a solvent that'll remove the tape residue without removing the coating. Textured coatings on drum heads are generally just a specially-formulated paint, so they can be vulnerable to solvents that would affect other painted finishes.
If it's a textured head and you can't get an answer from someone who knows what approach might not screw up your head, I might be inclined to seek out another Ludwig head, new or used, to use as a guinea pig. Try some different solvents (mineral spirits, alcohol, WD-40, Goof-Off, Goo-Gone, etc.) on your test head. If it doesn't damage the head, give it a shot on your bass head.
Xylene is the best adhesive remover on the planet. It is the main ingerdient in 3m's adhesive remover, but a heck of a lot cheaper if you just buy xylene from home depot or lowes
Looking at all the tape residue left on the head, that must have been the most secure pad ever affixed to a batter side head.
Good luck in its removal. I've got a funny feeling that it's going to be quite the "project."
FYI - I gave up
