Remove sticky tape from wallpaper

[Brad]

We have wallpaper on the shop walls and the previous tenant had a love of DIY sticky tape to fix everything.

So she stuck down some of the peeling wallpaper with sticky tape and I would like to fix it properly without damaging the wallpaper when I remove the tape.

Any bright ideas thanks?

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

What type of wallpaper is it @Brad? 

You could potentially warm the sticky tape up with a hairdryer, so the glue softens and then gently peel it away. Any residue left could be cleaned up with earbuds and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol.

Let me mention @TedBear and @prettyliving to see if they have any solutions.

Mitchell

[Brad]

I would say awful but it does feel like paper more than vinyl.

Titebond 111 has stuck down the lose stuff that is minus tape, not ideal but it works...

[TedBear]

That wide tape is one unsubtle repair!  I hope @MitchellMc 's suggestion of gentle heat does the trick.

(I don't have any better ideas.)

[Brad]

Paint Cleaner dealt with most of her cable management using the same or similar tape.

Hair dryer does seem to be the universal go to and we have multiple options on which one to use.

Some watered down dish washing liquid has also been a suggestion as a mild fix for glue residue.

I also have a great example of how not to hang a mirror but that is a battle for another day...

[TedBear]

I wonder why "watered down"? I have found raw dishwasher liquid (we Organic Choice, which is thick and therefore more controllable and less likely to soak in) to be good at removing some sticky residues. I rub it on with a finger. I guess it could remove wallpaper colouring, but maybe you could try it in an inconspicuous place?

[Brad]

Job done, tape didn't stick to the paper just the paint.

Sticker glue on the outside of the shop is resisting chemical cleaning so it may have to be a sand and paint job.

[MitchellMc]

@Brad,

Have you tried something like Goof Off 475ml Adhesive Remover Easy Pour Can? Give it a good 10-15mins to start dissolving the glue before scraping it off.

Mitchell

[Brad]

I got around to finishing it Thursday...

Steel wool and Goof Off gave me the best results.

Someone who claimed to have owned a sign writing company sugested a citrus based cleaner as the glue used is organic and not petrolium based.

Now I can just paint the store in my spare time...