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Oh how easy it is to “goof off” when it comes to adhesive removal, but after a while you really just want the “goo gone” right? Which do you put your faith in though?
In our Goo Gone vs Goof Off guide, it is the battle of the adhesive removers. Both have their unique adhesive remover qualities especially on surfaces including cars, and other household items.
Today we’re here to try and answer those questions. So you can remove all that residue.
Goof Off Vs Goo Gone
Both of these cleaner products are adhesive removers but Goo Gone is much more potent and should be used with care.
Goof Off is a better choice for a wider variety of surfaces without the need to worry about potential damage.
What Is Goo Gone?
One of the best selling adhesive removal chemicals on the market. This product can remove adhesive gunk that can be used on multiple surfaces, including hard surfaces it most certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the great adhesive removers.
Goo gone vs Goof Off, or Goo Gone vs anything really is a tough match-up for like-minded products.
Goo Gone is a citrus oil-based product that is gentle on removing those sticky messes adhesives leave behind, as well as being one of the safest glue removers around.
Goo Gone can be used on removing sticker residue to removing super glue, and even gorilla glue all while leaving a nice fresh scent instead of the residue left.
Goo Gone can remove window decals, labels, painted surfaces, and even tree sap. With its wide range of uses a question that may still be asked if it is safe on car paint?
Is Goo Gone Safe On Car Paint?
So is Goo Gone safe for car paint? Being a product without a petroleum base it is a very safe chemical to use on painted and hard surfaces. Applying it does not affect the surface area at all. Goo Gone simply penetrates that sticky mess and helps to remove it.
With it being so safe that is the reason it can be so effective on so many different surfaces and areas. From your car to the windows. Goo Gone is also safe to use on almost any other surface you can think of so it really is an all-around great product to have around.
About the only area that you can not use Goo Gone on is rubber. Due to its ingredients if it is left on rubber to long it will most certainly damage that.
Otherwise, this glue remover is a safe bet for pretty much everything else from painted surfaces too hard and soft spots that have sticky residues like a crayon, that need to be wiped out, and the surface left spotless.
How To Use Goo Gone
As mentioned this stuff can be used on almost anything. I recommend reading the instructions from the manufacturer which is right on the bottle but here are some examples of what it can do:
- Upholstery- Simply dab the area you need to clean with this adhesive remover and watch as it dissolves the substance away. Leaving a nice citrus scent it will restore and cushion or soft surface back to its original beauty.
- Ovens and Stoves- Due to its ingredients as an adhesive remover it’s non-flammable. This makes it perfect to use on any sticky messes that may be left behind. Just be sure to wash thoroughly with soap and water after your done to fully clean it.
- Automotive- As mentioned Goo Gone is great to use on cars too. It will not damage the paint and will return the surface back to how it originally looked with minimal effort. Great at its ability to remove that dealer decal, the old Nascar stickers you used to love, and even that political bumper sticker you had. Afterward, wash with soap and water to return the once sticky surface back to its smooth shiny look.
Where To Buy Goo Gone
One might think with all the things Goo Gone can do that it would be expensive or hard to find. It is actually quite easy to find the adhesive remover Goo Gone, and as an added bonus it is not that expensive.
Coming in at just under ten bucks Goo Gone is an economical product that is great to keep around. One bottle is 8 oz and depending on usage or how much adhesive remover you need it can last quite a while. Making this a cheaper solution to remove some of your sticky situations.
The added benefit of Goo Gone is that it is readily available. Just about any hardware, or home improvement shop will have a bottle of this adhesive remover hanging out. This makes it easy to pick up a bottle making it easy to keep it around.
The Downsides Of Goo Gone
As great as an adhesive remover Goo Gone is there are just a few downsides.
- One its an oil-based product and it could make removing itself a bit of a pain too.
- The other downside is it really only comes in a bottle. Meaning no spray bottle which makes application a little more difficult at times to.
- People have also reported that its bottle design could do with some improvements as it is difficult to get it to stand upright without falling over.
Overall Goo Gone is a solid product. Most certainly a powerhouse product in the household from the garage to the bedroom it can really help out not only as an adhesive remover but more.
Now with all that said let’s take a look at Goo Gone’s rival Goof Off another adhesive remover known to remove it all just like its cousin.
What Is Goof Off
I promise to keep the “Goofing Off” puns to a minimal moving forward. It lives up to its name so well as an adhesive remover. When it’s time to get serious then Goof Off may be the adhesive remover you grab.
Known for its tough adhesive removal properties Goof Off is a strong choice to use when those tough jobs come up including super glue.
Let’s take a look at how Goof Off could be your chemical of choice.
Goof Off - The Super Glue Remover
Known for its toughness at removing leftover residue, Goof Off has its own place among cleaning products and earns a spot right next to your everyday items.
This product is great for any DIY people out there. Any mistakes and spills you have on a project, Goof Off can handle.
Goof Off has a unique chemical makeup but is acetone-based. With these properties, it’s no wonder how it can take care of it all.
As its name suggests it can come in and take care of adhesives like any glue from super, to gorilla glue, to epoxy it really does have a ton of versatility.
How To Use Goof Off
Coming in a 4 oz bottle with a handy dandy nozzle, distributing Goof Off on the surfaces needing cleaning is quite easy. With Goof Off being highly concentrated, it only lends to its powerful adhesive blasting formula.
Goof Off can be used on just as many surfaces as Goo Gone:
- Simply apply it to a cloth and wipe down whatever area it is your wanted to remove the gunky gluey mess on.
- In some tougher situations, you may need to let Goof Off soak in for a couple of minutes but in those cases and others, it’s as simple as wiping it off.
- Just follow its instructions and your good to go.
With all that said it is important to remember this stuff can permanently damage some areas. So with this product, it is extremely important to use it in a smaller less inconspicuous area just in case it has a result you didn’t want.
Also, acetone is highly flammable so keep that in mind before using Goof Off in areas where this could cause a huge fire hazard.
Goof Off certainly has earned its place among your cleaning products but like all of them treat it with care, be careful and mindful of where you use it, and follow the directions so you don’t end up with a much bigger issue on your hands.
Where To Buy Goof Off
Just like Goo Gone, Goof Off is a pretty common chemical and product. Sold in similar places and at around the same cost, it is just as cost-effective to keep around.
The biggest difference this product comes in about half the supply. Sold in a 4 oz container rather than 8 oz.
However, don’t let this deter you as it is much more concentrated so it is capable of lasting just as long in half the size.
The Downsides of Goof Off
With Goof Off’s chemicals being a bit more aggressive than Goo Gone’s it can be a lot harsher on some surfaces. Specifically plastics, car paint, and vinyl.
It is capable but can leave marks on some of these surfaces. With its strong concentrate, it is best to exercise caution when using it making it a less versatile product.
“With great power comes great responsibility” as Uncle Ben said in Spider-man. Well, it is no different than with a strong product like Goof Off.
As long as you follow its directions it should be fine, but if you have any questions be sure to only use a small amount and test it out. There is no harm in being careful and doing the job right the first time.
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Conclusion
The bottom line in our Goo Gone vs Goof Off guide is there is no real clear winner. They both serve a purpose.
Although both can do many of the same things there are some instances where Goof Off is much more successful while Goo Gone is the all-around solution.
Follow the label instructions and you can’t go wrong. Just be careful not to go all out until your sure the product is going to be safe on whichever surface you’re working on.
Remember to refer to this guide whenever you may have questions or can’t remember the differences. Both products have a place in your home and garage.
So stop “goofing off” and get that “goo gone”!
