So, the world seems to be moving slowly. Although vinyl windows are now in wide proliferation, I cannot find anything on the internet that covers pane replacement. Doesn't anyone play baseball? I have a Pella picture window where after one year, noticed low-E coating was deteriorating(inside glass were small scratch marks. Of course, Pella was happy to replace glass pane unit, but not pay for installation. After a bid for 350 bucks to replace the pane, I decided to do it myself. The window has vinyl trim pieces that pop out, then the window is simply held to the frame by adhesive foam tape. Sure looks easier then using the putty of old. My question is - After I pull the window out, How do I get the remnants of old tape off the vinyl frame? Maybe It will be able to easily remove with a putty knife, but worst case scenario, I was wondering if there was a recommended method or solvent to get the tape off the vinyl frame. Thanks Kevin

Oh yeah, I have the roll of new foam tape- 8 bucks for 25 feet.

 

I use a sharp chisel that is 1/2" wide (must be close to brand new) and use it like a scraper. If you turn the beveled edge of the chisel away from you, and hold it almost perpendicular to the 2-faced tape (or leaning toward you just a little) and then pull the chisel toward you while keeping the angle of the chisel at the same angle as you scrape and a lot of downward pressure, it will take off 99% of it.

Usually cleaning most of it off is sufficient to apply the new tape. I dislike using cleaners because the solvents will prevent the new tape from sticking. But if you were to use a solvent, I'd recommend 3M adhesive remover in a spray can (often handled by automotive paint stores, sometimes at parts stores).

Hopefully your tape is the exact thickness as the original tape... if it isn't there will be problems when you put the vinyl glazing strips back on- they will either be too loose or too tight if the thickness of the tape is not the same.