When you are a homeowner, it is important to know how to remove adhesive from a myriad of surfaces. Adhesive could have been left behind by tape, stickers or other products. If you attempt to paint or finish a painted wall with adhesive residue left on it, you will wind up with a poor finished result. Read on to learn how to remove adhesive from painted walls.
Tools and Materials
- Steam iron
- Paper towels
- Paint scraper
- Sandpaper block
- Matching wall paint
- Baby oil
- Small paintbrush
- Sponge
Step 1 - Examine the Adhesive Closely
In orderto know how to move forward you need to know what you are dealing with. Certain adhesives require different practices in order to remove it. Gently rub your finger over the adhesive. If the adhesive is hard and has no give then you are dealing with a strong adhesive, like super bonding glue.
If, however, the adhesive feels soft and pliable then you are looking at a rubber cement type of adhesive. Stickers and tape leave behind a crusty-looking adhesive that is relatively flat, and often some of the paint is missing.
Step 2 - Initial Adhesive Removal
There are no special tools needed for this step. Use your finger and gently but firmly rub the adhesive in a circular manner. Rubber cement and some other adhesives will react to the friction you are causing and the heat you are generating and start to ball up. When this happens you can easily remove the adhesive. Even though this may be working you will most likely have more adhesive left behind.
Step 3 - Tougher Technique
Sometimes the worst enemy of an adhesive is water and heat. Plug the iron into an outlet until hot and steamy. Place the anvil close to the wall and allow the steam to penetrate the adhesive for five minutes. Use a paper towel and gently scrub the area in a circular motion. Use firmer pressure and more steam if you need to if not enough of the adhesive has been removed.
Step 4 - Dissolving the Adhesive
Sticker and tape adhesive can easily be dissolved. If the previous attempts failed then this may work. Pour some of the baby oil onto the sponge and wipe the adhesive with it. Let it soak for 20 minutes and then scrub off with paper towels. You may need to add touch-up paint.
Step 5 - Gentle Sanding
Do not sand the wall if at all possible. The point of learning how to remove adhesive is that you can avoid having to resort to drastic measures. Sanding, however, may be needed in the case of super bond glue. The hard crystallization is impervious to steam and friction. Gently sand the sharp edges down so that the adhesive is flat. You can then paint the wall with the matching wall paint.
Article source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-adhesive-from-painted-walls
