How to get gunk off painted walls.

last year

last modified: last year

I‘m deep cleaning 2 college kids’ rooms. There were some framed prints on the walls for many years. The little rubbery things that were stuck on the bottom of the frames deteriorated and sort of ”melted” and I can’t get the gunk off the walls. I've tried goo-gone, Mr Clean, scraping with a putty knive and can’t get it off! i cant even peel it off with my fingernails. If I can’t get it off, I’m going to have to sand the wall, retexture and repaint. Help!

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Comments (21)

elcieg
last year
Did you try using a hairdryer on high?
AJCN
Original Author
last year
No I didn’t. I’ll try that now. Thank you! Will update with results.
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AJCN
Original Author
last year
Blowdrier did not do anything. I thought it would soften it and then I could maybe get it off with goo-gone or household oil. No luck. Trying a fine sandpaper now.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
How about nail polish remover?

Well, I am not very patient with stuff like this... how about hanging a new picture on the wall? You could use the art to inspire the decor. : > }
Jennifer Hogan
last year
Rubber Cement Thinner would be my first choice, but it is kind of pricey if this is a one time job. Things you may have at home and could try - acetone, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine . . . I have also been surprised at the number of things that WD 30 will loosen or remove.
elcieg
last year
Aren't these things annoying? Latest read...dental floss is better than a finger nail at getting gunk off a wall.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
I am with you on this because I have a lot of art on walls with those little bumpers on corners of the frames. So, googled what those little buggers ( sorry, bumpers) were made of and came up with silicone.

"Did you know silicone contains acetic acid? This is the same acid you find in vinegars such as white vinegar. This means white vinegar is a great way to soften silicone and make it easier to remove."
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
How about a culinary blow torch? I'm not kidding...it is safe to use and then you can celebrate and make creme brulee.
AJCN
Original Author
last year
I did try nail polish remover and W-D 40, and 3-1 household oil. No luck. I didn’t have any mineral spirits on hand, so didn’t try that. Maybe that’s the secret product!

I ended up sanding it down with 80 grit (!!) sandpaper. Still there and still sticky, but flat with the wall. Dabbed a little primer, then touched up with left over paint. Did not retexture. Its not perfect, but good enough. These are 2 kids’ rooms, but I want them to be cleaned up and welcoming.

These 2 rooms will be used for 3 purposes: returning adult kids from work, Navy, and college; “safe homes for traveling military” which is a volunteer group to help military folks who are driving cross country or get stuck at an airport and need a place to stay; and an occasional guest room for other family. None of those people will care if it’s not perfect. But I kinda do so it’s frustrating.

I don’t want to hang new prints because these are very important prints to us, by the horse-centric artist and personal friend Katie Upton. Check her out!

Thanks for all the tips! If anyone ever finds out if mineral spirits is the right product, or something else, please post!
AJCN
Original Author
last year
Forgot to say, I was also out of white vinegar. I still need to get the gunk off the actual frames. So I’ll try white vinegar and mineral sprits for that side of the problem. I think I’ll use cork bumpers instead of silicone when I hang them back up.

I have paintings and prints all over the house, so need to change everything out to cork I guess, or change the silicone ones periodically so this doesn’t happen again. What a pain.
btydrvn
last year
Have you tried alcohol?
Cheap Bond Cleaning Adelaide
last year
You should try vinegar with baking soda.
kudzu9
last year
I'd try a variety of solvents: acetone, lacquer thinner, or mineral spirits. You can get most of it off in advance of the solvents by carefully cutting away with a single-edged razor blade. Sanding, re-texturing, and re-painting is like trying to shoot a mosquito with a cannon. Try simpler approaches.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
AJCN - you’re a very kind soul. Best to you and your military travelers. ❤️
elcieg
last year
My daughter is Navy...a Commander. Very proud of her. Conneticut Yankeeee, she went to UConn.
Stax
last year
Me too. Retired O-5.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
Judianna - I grew up in Connecticut (big surprise, right ) but no Uconn (went out of State.). Thank you to your daughter and to Stax for your service. My Dad and brother were Navy.
Stax
last year
My sons were both born at New London Hospital.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
Ah, New London - a former boyfriend went to Connecticut College. Sigh. I miss living in Connecticut.
elcieg
last year
UConn was out of state enrollment for my daughter. That's where she wanted to go. She was in Sports Medicine and was with the girls' basketball time when Rebecca Lobo played.

Mom and Dad went to B C. She wasn't interested
mariagrazia
last year
I had the same thing happen - a couple alcohol wipes got it off the wall.

How to get gunk off painted walls.

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elcieg

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kudzu9

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Stax

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How to get gunk off painted walls.

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