SpudFiles

Anyone know any tips for removing plumbers tape from threaded fittings? I have a bunch of brass fittings and the tape is all dirty/mouldy and when i try to peel the tape of it just rips and frey's into lots of tiny fibers which makes it harder to get off.

Use a trusty wire brush

Yes, a wire brush or wire wheel will do it the quickest.
If you want to have fun you could try using a sandblaster or birdshot.

Nova:, the smilies in your sig aren't working

Burning it will make it schrivil up. Just something to try.

It's near impossible to burn Polytetrafluroethylene

Edit: Thanks Fnord (Wait there, i failed to include smilies in my sig)
What are you blabbering about?

Ah yes. Wire brush does it. It scratches up the threads a little, but not enough to really damage it. Thanks guys

Actually no, if you read the wiki page on it starts to degrade at 600 degrees f. This is easily reached by an open flame and since the tape is so thin even when wrapped on threads that it will melt, degrade, and burn in an open flame.

spudgunnerwryyyyy wrote:Actually no, if you read the wiki page on it starts to degrade at 600 degrees f. This is easily reached by an open flame and since the tape is so thin even when wrapped on threads that it will melt, degrade, and burn in an open flame.

MMMK, I'm off to burn some tape.

It burns very easy when it is by itself, but on the thread the metal soaks up all the heat, you would have to get it glowing just about i think.
Would be more fun than the brush though!

Go have fun.
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w00t

Steel wool is your friend.

You really shouldn't be using a steel brush or steel wool on a brass fitting.

Get a brass brush (used to clean BBG grills) or just use a toothbrush with soapy water.