How to remove the bar "mounting strips" of the OEM Roof Rack

[sjpitts]

I am wanting to remove all of the OEM roof rack from my son's 96 80 series. The roof has funky paint job and and is peeling in a few places. I am probably just going to smooth it down and go to the local paint shop (Space Age Auto Paint) and hope that they can match the paint.

The main part of the roof rack came off easily enough. And the ends of the bars are easy to remove, and then the bar slides off pretty easy. But I am not sure how to remove the "mounting strips" or "mounting bases" that appear to be glued to the roof. These "mounting strips" are what the bars slide onto.
The pictures below show where I have removed the ends from one bar, and slide the bar of a "mounting strip" or base for the bar.

Any suggestions?

More pictures of this 80 are here: Jackson's 96 80 series · Oct 8, 2025 – Jan 24, 2026 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/ETksxhzMfQmpaCbV9

 

[NeverFinis]

I seem to remember you just pull it.

 

[cahill]

Yeah, it is a double sided tape like substance if I remember correctly. It just pulls up. You can use a plastic scraper to get it started and help it along. a little heat may help too.

 

[COS80]

Get those started with a plastic scraper and then pull like hell. I removed the Wonder Tape in many stages of scraping and soaking with 3M adhesive remover, finishing up with a 3M adhesive eraser wheel.

 

[sjpitts]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was able to get a plastic scraper under the end of the mounting strips and peel them off. As expected this left a bunch of the adhesive tape behind. So I think will try the adhesive eraser wheel suggested by @COS80

Thanks