When wallpaper has been in place for a long time, it tends to get stuck.
This happens because the wallpaper glue seals into place making it much harder to remove. Due to this, a lot of property owners complain about tearing, stains, and a long list of unwanted concerns during the process.
It’s essential to find a way to remove wallpaper glue safely. This includes wondering, can you sand wallpaper glue off?
You can sand wallpaper glue off by using a pole sander and 100 grit sandpaper. You will run these over the harsher spots ensuring the glue comes off safely.
It’s recommended to do this patiently and avoid a situation where the sandpaper glue comes off in patches or the finishing looks off.
This article will explain how to remove wallpaper glue using sandpaper and how to make sure the wall looks clean once the job is done.
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Best Sandpaper for Wallpaper Glue (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Steps On How To Sand Wallpaper Glue Safely
1. Clean the Surface Using A Cloth
Before sanding the wallpaper glue off, it’s important to prep the surface.
It’s common to make mistakes like this where the surface is not prepped. The goal is to clean the surface by taking a clean cloth and rubbing it over the glue.
This will help loosen the glue and also make the surface easier to sand later on.
Sanding wallpaper is not easy and it does require the right preparation. If you attempt to take the 100 grit sandpaper and use it on the wallpaper glue, it might chip the wall or lead to unwanted debris.
To avoid a situation such as this, your goal should be to clean the surface and then begin sanding it down.
You do not have to use water or any other substance while doing this. Just gently working away at the surface with a cloth is going to get the job done.
2. Set Up 100 Grit Sandpaper
Now it is time to prepare the sanding equipment.
You will need 100 grit sandpaper for wallpaper glue. This is going to offer enough of an abrasive surface to make sure the glue does come off smoothly.
Take the pole sander and attach the sandpaper.
The goal is to provide enough accessibility to get to all parts of the wall. You will need to reach specific spots on the wall to get rid of the wallpaper glue safely.
This is why the pole sander is a must and something you will want to have by your side during the process.
3. Use Pole Sander Over The Wallpaper Glue
When you are using the pole sander, target small spots.
The goal is to test the pole sander to see how well it works on your drywall. There are situations where the pole sander is not equipped properly and this can lead to unwanted damage.
To avoid a situation such as this, test the pole sander on a smaller part of the drywall. This will let you know whether or not it is ready for proper use moving forward.
Continue to go across the entire surface and ensure it is done evenly. You don’t want one side to be sanded and the other to remain untouched.
It has to be done evenly.
4. Fill Spots With Drywall Mud & Knife
Now it is time to complete the task by finishing what you are doing.
This includes filling the leftover spots using drywall mud. When you sand wallpaper glue at home, there will be spots leftover that are going to need to be removed safely.
You have to fill the spots using drywall mud and spread it with the help of a knife.
If you don’t fill them, your drywall may become compromised and look unappealing. Simply use drywall mud to fill those gaps and complete the type of finishing needed for good results.
How To Tell If Wallpaper Glue Is Removed
You can tell wallpaper glue has been removed by running your hand against the surface. It will feel even to the touch without a sticky residue left behind.
It takes time to remove wallpaper glue and it has to be done using sandpaper.
This is the best way to remove wallpaper glue and ensure it is not left behind in patches. The goal should be to not only run your hand against the surface but to also visually inspect the drywall from one end to the next.
This will let you know whether or not additional removal work has to be done.
Is It OK To Paint Over Wallpaper Glue?
It is not recommended to paint over wallpaper glue. Wallpaper glue is water-based and this will have an unwanted reaction to paint. As soon as the paint is applied, the wallpaper glue will become sticky again causing it to ruin the finishing.
This is why it’s best to remove the wallpaper glue before repainting a surface.
Trying to paint over wallpaper glue is a recipe for disaster. It will not yield the type of results you are after and that is something to think about as a property owner before getting started.
Why Does Wallpaper Glue Get Stuck?
Wallpaper glue gets stuck because of age.
It will tend to settle into place and then environmental conditions impact its stickiness. When you attempt to pull at the glue, it won’t come off easily.
This happens all the time and is commonly seen in older properties.
The best course of action is to take sandpaper and begin rubbing it against the wallpaper glue. This will help smoothen the surface and get rid of the wallpaper glue in seconds.
Final Thoughts
Can you sand wallpaper glue off?
You can sand wallpaper glue off and it is a recommended strategy for removing this sticky substance. To do this, you will require a pole sander and 100 grit sandpaper. Combine these items to rub against the glue. Once done for a while, the glue will come loose and the surface can be repaired or repainted as needed.
Take your time during this process and you will see great results.
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