How to get sticky residue off a wall

The longer you leave tape on the wall, the harder it is to remove and the more likely it is that paint will come with it. If you're finding this out the hard way, help is available. Lubricating the tape usually helps, as long as the lubricant can contact the adhesive. Once the tape is gone, the outline may still remain. You can remove this with a paste made from two common household ingredients.

The Gunk That Binds

The sticky coating on masking, duct, cellophane and other tapes is a pressure-sensitive adhesive that, unlike other glues and cements, doesn't have to change from a liquid to a solid in order to bind. In theory, that means you should be able to pull it off any surface to which it is adhering. PSAs come in varying strengths, however, as manufacturers seek the happy medium between an adhesive that sticks reliably and one that is easy to remove. Masking tape is color-coded according to binding strength; blue and green are the easiest to remove. Stickers and decals are intended to be permanent, but tape seldom is.

Soap It Off

If you can't easily remove masking tape from the wall, one of the reasons may be that the PSA has lost its flexibility, which becomes increasingly likely the longer you leave the tape on the wall. While you may still be able to get some of it off by digging at it with your fingers, you'll probably need to lubricate the rest. Spraying a solution of warm water and dishwashing detergent is usually effective for removing dried masking tape. According to Bob Vila, the water softens the the paper backing while the soap loosens the bond between the tape and the paint.

Peel and Unstick

Tape that has a nonporous backing, such as duct or cellophane tape, will soften with strong solvents such as acetone or lacquer thinner, but these chemicals are likely to damage painted surfaces, warns ECHO Tape. A safer alternative is to use a combination of scraping and lubrication to remove them. Starting at the top of a stubborn piece of tape, carefully peel back the edge with razor blade and spray a lubricant, such as a dish soap solution, white vinegar or salad oil. Allow the lubricant to penetrate, then scrape a little more and continue in this way until the tape is off.

The Coconut Oil Solution

Most types of tape discolor the wall when left for an extended period, and residue remains even after you manage to remove them. You can make a paste that removes this discoloration and residue with equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda. Coconut oil softens the adhesive, while baking soda provides just enough abrasive action to scrub it off without damaging the paint on the wall. The paste works best if you leave it on the affected area for several minutes before you wipe it off with an abrasive pad or fine steel wool. Afterward, simply wipe the wall with a little grease-fighting dish soap and warm water.

When you are a homeowner, it is important to know how to remove adhesive from myriad surfaces. Adhesive can be left behind by tape, stickers or other products, and if you attempt to paint or finish a painted wall with adhesive residue left on it, you will wind up with a poor result. Read on to learn how to remove adhesive from painted walls.

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Step 1 - Examine Adhesive Closely

In order to know how to move forward you need to know what you are dealing with. Certain adhesives require different practices in order to remove. Gently rub your finger over the adhesive. If it is hard and has no give you are dealing with a strong adhesive, like super bonding glue.

If, however, it feels soft and pliable you are looking at a rubber cement type. Sticker and tape residue is usually crusty-looking and relatively flat, and often some of the paint around it is missing.

Step 2 - Remove Initial Adhesive With Friction

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 heat you are generating and start to ball up. When this happens you can easily remove it. Even though this may be working you will most likely still have more adhesive left behind.

Step 3 - Use a Tougher Steam and Heat Technique

Sometimes the worst enemy of an adhesive is water and heat. Plug the iron into an outlet and let it sit until it's 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 not enough of the adhesive comes off.

Step 4 - Dissolve 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 - Use 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 or if all else has failed. The hard crystallization is impervious to steam and friction. Gently sand the sharp edges down so that the adhesive is flat. You can then repaint the wall with the matching paint.

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