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Old contact paper removal

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a

7 years ago

Hi there!

As usual, I'm working with a reclaimed cabinet right now.
It has old, dry contact paper on the shelves. Butt-ugly, of course. And now it's all torn up because I've been trying to peel it off.

The question is, how do I get this stuff off? Some seems to have melded to the wood and is now part of the shelf. I swear.

Any thoughts? I do think these are cherry, and I don't want to just soak them!

Thanks.

Featured Answer

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
Original Author

7 years ago

Beachem, I think when they invented contact paper, they had a contest to see who could make the most butt-ugly patterns ever. Or patterns that reminded women of where they belonged in the world. Not sure. But keep in mind I've never seen anything MCM that spoke to me and lots of those kitschy kitchen patterns are from that time.

These cabinets are from that era. They have 1962 scrawled on the back of them and their item number in pencil. Peeling isn't an option. As I mentioned, I have tried and managed to shred the brittle paper that would lift up. The rest? Gonna find that person....

On another note, God bless 'em for building solid, 13" deep cabinets! Solid! And God bless the demo person who didn't HGTV 'em and find demo cathartic.

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Comments (9)

mabeldingeldine
7 years ago
I've successfully removed Kleen Strip Adhesive Remover for similar projects.
rantontoo
7 years ago
Heat gun the entire piece to loosen the adhesive and start pulling. I got it off in my parents home usually in one whole piece. Then I used spray Goo-be-gone on the drawers and shelves...spray on, let sit for a bit, and wipe. This worked well for me
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PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
Either of the above suggestions will work - it will just take a long time and be hard work. After doing this, you will NEVER again use contact paper!
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
Original Author
7 years ago
In what world, Anglophilia, would you ever think I'd be a total idiot and put contact paper on anything? Not this one, certainly! (Of course, for some reason, covering a certain person's mouth with it just came to mind, and how satisfying it would be to watch them try to get it off.)

I'd actually like to locate the inventor of contact paper and ask how many pieces of furniture and cabinetry he is responsible for ruining over the decades? Someone, somewhere, thought it was a great idea. And Whoa! Let's put it in as a drawer liner!!
And on those cabinet shelves!!!! YEAH!!

So thanks guys, for the ideas. I have both items, so I think I'll start with heat, since I am not certain how this old wood will absorb Goo-Gone or other liquids.

I'll keep you posted.
User
7 years ago
One landlord I had used contact paper to hold the tile on the kitchen backsplash.
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
Original Author
7 years ago
Shoot. Why not just duct tape?
beachem
7 years ago
Raising my hand. I use contact paper and love them. I did not have problems removing them.

I do change them out every three years though. They just lift up and voila.

I like to see something pretty when I open a drawer and it has kept my cabinets and drawers pristine.
artemis_ma
7 years ago
Let us know if it comes off. Mom used to use contact paper, and she gave me some rolls of it when I first started out... I didn't use it but got paper I could fold into place and pull out when it got old. No muss, no fuss. I remember trying to peel it off (pre-existing) in the condo I used to live in... then just giving up and putting paper folded over it. But for a real house, yeah, you want a permanent solution.

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