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3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover, 38983, 12 oz Net Wt

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 465 ratings
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand 3M
Compatible Material Automotive,industrial
Item Form Aerosol
Color Clear
Item Package Quantity 1

About this item

  • Blend of non-abrasive solvents quickly dissolves adhesive residue without harming cured paint
  • Versatile for use during and after collision repair: remove masking residue
  • Easy-to-use formula is available in an aerosol can
  • Safe for use on nearly all cured automotive paints
  • For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use.
› See more product details

Important information

Legal Disclaimer

3M industrial and occupational products are intended, labeled, and packaged for sale to trained industrial and occupational customers for workplace use. Unless specifically stated otherwise on the applicable product packaging or literature, these products are not intended, labeled, or packaged for sale to or use by consumers (e.g., for home, personal, primary or secondary school, recreational/sporting, or other uses not described in the applicable product packaging or literature), and must be selected and used in compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and standards (e.g., U.S. OSHA, ANSI), as well as all product literature, user instructions, warnings, and other limitations, and the user must take any action required under any recall, field action, or other product use notice. Misuse of 3M industrial and occupational products may result in injury, sickness, death, or property damage. For help with product selection and use, consult your on-site safety professional, industrial hygienist, or other subject matter expert. For additional product information, visit www.3M.com.

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From the manufacturer


3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover

3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover is ideal for maintaining painted finishes during and after vehicle collision repair. A solvent-based formula dissolves adhesives without damaging painted surfaces. Available as an aerosol spray, this adhesive remover lets you remove adhesive residue without scraping tools or abrasives.

Details:

  • Blend of non-abrasive solvents quickly dissolves adhesive residue without harming cured paint
  • Versatile for use during and after collision repair: remove masking residue
  • Easy-to-use formula is available in an aerosol can
  • Safe for use on nearly all cured automotive paints
Maintain Excellent Paint Finishes During and After Repair

For removal of masking adhesive during and after collision repair 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover features a blend of petroleum solvents that virtually eliminates the need for scrapers or abrasives. This formula is available in easy-to-use spray-on, wipe-off aerosol cans. It is safe for use on most cured automotive paints.

The Science of Better Collision Repair from 3M

3M has long been developing new ways that science can apply to the lives of professionals in a range of industries including collision repair. 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover is a great example – a product that removes adhesive residue without interfering with the refined finishes that you strive for. It’s an example of what 3M does best: Science. Applied to Life.

Product Description

3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover is ideal for maintaining painted finishes during and after vehicle collision repair. A solvent-based formula dissolves adhesives without damaging painted surfaces. Available as an aerosol spray, this adhesive remover lets you remove adhesive residue without scraping tools or abrasives.

Product information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Warranty & Support

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What's in the box

  • 3M 38983 General Purpose Adhesive Remover - 12 oz.

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    Details
    Added to Cart
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    PriceCurrently unavailable.-43% $10.73
    Typical: $18.95    		$34.99$23.32-6% $43.99
    List: $46.75
    Delivery—
    Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
    Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
    Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
    Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2
    Customer Ratings
    4.34.3 out of 5 stars465
    4.34.3 out of 5 stars1,959
    4.64.6 out of 5 stars774
    4.54.5 out of 5 stars1,474
    4.44.4 out of 5 stars223
    Easy to use
    3.5
    4.1
    4.1
    4.2
    5.0
    Value for money
    3.5
    3.9
    4.1
    4.1
    3.8
    Adhesion
    3.2
    3.6
    4.2
    3.8
    4.0
    Easy to remove
    4.0
    3.8
    —
    —
    5.0
    Sheerness
    3.2
    3.2
    —
    4.7
    —
    Sold By
    —
    Amazon.com
    DieHard Shop
    Amazon.com
    Quest Safety Products, Inc.
    color
    Clear
    Factory
    —
    15 oz.
    Pale Yellow
    compatible material
    Automotive,industrial
    Wood
    Vinyl
    Fabric
    —
    volume
    12 fluid ounces
    12 fluid ounces
    1 quarts
    15 fluid ounces
    18.5 fluid ounces
    number of items
    1
    1
    1
    1
    1
    container type
    Can
    Can
    Can
    Aerosol Can
    Aerosol Can

    Looking for specific info?

    Customer reviews

    4.3 out of 5 stars
    4.3 out of 5
    465 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the performance, adhesion, and effect on paint of the bonding adhesives. For example, they mention it works well, removes adhesive residue, and does not harm the paint. That said, some complain about the drying time and value.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    49 customers mention41 positive8 negative

    Customers like the performance of the bonding adhesive. They say it works well, is amazing, and powerful. Some mention that it works great on thick, hard to remove adhesive, and that it's outstanding when coupled with a razor blade.

    "Used this product to re-badge my mustang. This product is amazing, removing all traces of adhesive from the emblem without damaging the paint...." Read more

    "This stuff really works. Makes it easy to remove badges from your car to replace with others. I used it to remove a badge I had applied my self...." Read more

    "...even though the are a bit higher priced I have no regrets, this is so powerful it also took off the emblem which i did not need...." Read more

    "...This stuff coupled with a razor blade is pretty outstanding. I just think it’s high in the price for what it is. Otherwise great product...." Read more

    43 customers mention32 positive11 negative

    Customers like the adhesion of the adhesive remover. They say it removes adhesive very easily and thoroughly, and is perfect for removing the residue left behind stickers, car badging, and more. Some say it works incredibly well and removes the adhesive glue completely with a minimum of effort. Some mention that it makes removal of the old strips much easier.

    "...This product is amazing, removing all traces of adhesive from the emblem without damaging the paint...." Read more

    "This stuff really works. Makes it easy to remove badges from your car to replace with others. I used it to remove a badge I had applied my self...." Read more

    "...This one is like a nail polish remover for stickers on metal this combined with plastic scrapper is saves me 100's of dollars with auto body people...." Read more

    "...What a joke. It merely made stuff gooey and that much harder to get off. Only use this for cleanup, as it won't remove HD adhesive like moldings...." Read more

    10 customers mention7 positive3 negative

    Customers like the effect of the bonding adhesives on paint. They mention that it didn't harm the paint, and the surface won't be damaged. Some say that it's safe for clear coat.

    "...Your paint surface will not be damaged. I am a happy camper." Read more

    "...It may take a little elbow grease but it's safe for clear coat. I've never been disappointed in this stuff." Read more

    "...It will strip the paint off as well." Read more

    "...well-ventilated, but the bits I've done are great, and the paint didn't even come off!" Read more

    4 customers mention4 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the bonding adhesive's ability to remove contaminates from painted surfaces. They mention that it works well to remove residue without any damage to the paint. Some customers also mention that the product works great on bugs, tar, sap, and old gum.

    "...Worked great on bugs, tar, sap and old gum. I’ve used it on painted auto surfaces as well as headlight lenses." Read more

    "...This removed the residue without any damage to the paint!Very happy the the outcome" Read more

    "This was great for cleaning the old stick residue off before putting the side rail back on my pickup truck." Read more

    "Works well to remove contaminates from painted surfaces on automobiles" Read more

    8 customers mention3 positive5 negative

    Customers are mixed about the value of the bonding adhesive. Some mention it's amazing and worth the price, while others say it'll waste your money and make the situation worse.

    "...Spare yourself the hassle. This product sucks. It's an embarrassment for 3M and it should be removed from their product lineup...." Read more

    "...Remover works well and with a good price tag. 3M products have always been good and this is no different." Read more

    "...In short, this stuff is junk, it doesn't work without a LOT of elbow grease, and even then it will leave spots that you'll find a few days later..." Read more

    "...It works okay, not great, The 3M clear bra is the crappiest product I've ever dealt with. I will never buy another vehicle with this crap on it." Read more

    5 customers mention0 positive5 negative

    Customers find the drying time of the bonding adhesive to be too short. They mention that it dries up and evaporates in a few moments.

    "...You can't let it soak because it's a solvent and it will evaporate in a few moments; so you are stuck having to keep spraying over and over again...." Read more

    "...It dries way too fast and the directions suggest "wiping off with a clean rag" well all that's going to do is get sticky glue all over the rag, and..." Read more

    "...You spray it on, and two seconds later, it dries up. In the same way alcohol does when you rub it on a surface...." Read more

    "Highly evaporative. Does not mobilize bumper sticker glue enough to wipe it off." Read more

    Top reviews from the United States

    EK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Works great for removing adhesive from automotive paint surfaces
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Used this product to re-badge my mustang. This product is amazing, removing all traces of adhesive from the emblem without damaging the paint. I was apprehensive using this because I was worried that I might affect the finish on a new car. I used light amount of head to soften the factory emblem and adhesive to remove. Followed up with 3m sprayed on the remaining adhesive, keeping it wet for 30 seconds. Followed this with a swipe from a soft rag to pull off the adhesive. After about 3 tries everything was removed! Couldn't tell where i was working compared to the rest of the panel. This stuff does what it is supposed to do without harming the finish - giving it 5 stars.
    One person found this helpful
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    Ron
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This stuff really works. Makes it easy to remove badges from your car to replace with others. I used it to remove a badge I had applied my self. The badge survived a year of car washes and rain and road use. But it came right off with a couple of shots from the top. Use rag or paper towel to assure it doesn't dribble where you don't want it. Your paint surface will not be damaged. I am a happy camper.
    3 people found this helpful
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    Nobody
    4.0 out of 5 stars Works great, but will quickly damage plastics.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Used this stuff to remove some old clear-bra on my vehicle that Goo-Gone couldn't seem to touch.

    Accidentally got some drip and overspray on the headlights in the process, which caused the plastic to become very cloudy-looking. Fortunately, I was able to wet-sand and polish the surface damage off in a few minutes. Didn't bother the paint at all.

    I recommend thoroughly masking off any nearby plastic areas and be careful of overspray.
    One person found this helpful
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    Karthik Kambhampati
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10/5 Love it Love It Love it
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I am a very lazy person when it comes to writing reviews, I could not stop myself, i partly hesitate writing, because some way or the other i find fault with it. This one is like a nail polish remover for stickers on metal this combined with plastic scrapper is saves me 100's of dollars with auto body people. Thank you 3M, if there are quality products like this, even though the are a bit higher priced I have no regrets, this is so powerful it also took off the emblem which i did not need. This is the iPhone of adhesive removal.

    Be careful - Please wear a mask before you get to work this spray its really really strong. 10 Stars
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    Josh
    5.0 out of 5 stars When you need something more than goo gone or alcohol
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is the stuff to pull out once you've tried all of the more mild solutions. Removed adhesive from an emblem on a 40 year old car for me without out even trying. Soaked a paper towel and pressed on the area for 15 seconds or so and it broke the glue down for easy wipeoff. Highly recommended...just follow the instructions.
    One person found this helpful
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    Left Coast
    3.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time for HD jobs
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I tried this to remove the door molding adhesive on Chevy Silverado. What a joke. It merely made stuff gooey and that much harder to get off. Only use this for cleanup, as it won't remove HD adhesive like moldings. Spend the money for a 3M eraser wheel and use that first; clean up with this stuff.
    Helpful
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    Andy Lopez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great product
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've used this adhesive remover for 10 years and love it. It may take a little elbow grease but it's safe for clear coat. I've never been disappointed in this stuff.
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    Honest feedback from an honest guy
    1.0 out of 5 stars Absolute garbage product -- better & cheaper options available like WD40
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this to remove adhesive from a metal cabinet that was being built as a sound-dampening cabinet for a computer. The soundproofing material was made with adhesive on the back of it (12 inches x 12 inches). I had to overhaul the layers of soundproofing material so I needed to remove the old stuff and put the new stuff in but I did not want to make it look junky. I figured this stuff would lift the glue/adhesive off the metal cabinet with no problem. I was wrong.

    This product is absolute garbage. It smells awful, it's biohazardous and not something you want to breathe in (I wore a KN-95 mask and gloves) when using it with a fan blowing fresh air in to my work area. The way this product works is also stupid. You spray it and hurry up and hope to remove the adhesive. You keep spraying and spraying and spraying and trying to remove the adhesive. You can't let it soak because it's a solvent and it will evaporate in a few moments; so you are stuck having to keep spraying over and over again. It smells very chemically and it is something you do not want to breathe in.

    After wasting a few hours of my life trying to use this product I gave up and tried WD-40 because I had heard it was good to remove adhesive from things. I figured maybe children's stickers or something not as adhesive as what I was removing... let me tell you... WD-40 is a miracle product. It removed the adhesive the way I imagined this crappy product should have.

    Generously spray your target area with WD-40 and give it a few minutes. Make sure you have paper towels or something to absorb drips or excess with. Use a plastic scrapper to lift off large chunks of WD-40. You may have to repeat it a few times. to get everything (I did). The only difference between this product and WD-40 is WD-40 works and doesn't require a mask, gloves & well-ventilated area to use. WD-40 also polishes metal (even painted metal). When finished removing the adhesive with WD-40, apply a generous amount of rubbing alcohol (I used 99%) and wipe with a towel. This is to lift the WD-40 oily feel from the metal. Let it dry. Good as new!

    DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT -- TRY WD-40 first. Spare yourself the hassle. This product sucks. It's an embarrassment for 3M and it should be removed from their product lineup. I am so animated about hating this product I felt I needed to write this review.
    2 people found this helpful
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