Sandpaper for Removing Drywall Appliques

Significance

• Sanding drywall appliques should be a last resort. While heavy-grit sandpaper easily removes appliques, it also removes the underlying paper surface of the drywall. If you damage the drywall too severely, you might have to apply multiple coats of joint compound to hide the torn paper or replace the drywall entirely. Sandpaper of 100-grit or higher won’t damage drywall easily, but it might not remove appliques quickly either.

Adhesive Removal

• Rent a wallpaper steamer to loosen the applique’s adhesive backing. If you’ve painted over the applique or it's very thick, steaming might have no effect. Use a paint scraper or similar flat-bladed tool to remove as much of the applique as possible. Stop scraping when you begin to gouge the drywall.

Rough Sanding

• Sand the applique with 100-grit sandpaper, which is the heaviest grit that won’t cause significant damage to drywall. Check your work frequently to ensure you are sanding either the applique or its glue or tape backing, but never the drywall itself. Even though the drywall paper can handle light brushes from 100-grit sandpaper, continual rubbing will cause it to tear eventually.

Washing and Final Sanding

• Most of the applique should be gone at this point, leaving only the adhesive backing. Remove as much adhesive as possible using warm water and a rough cloth or textured sponge. Allow the surfaces to dry. Use 120- or 150-grit sandpaper to remove the remaining adhesive. Change sheets frequently; adhesive quickly clogs light-grit sandpaper, making it smooth and useless. Once the applique and its adhesive backing are gone, use joint compound to repair any blemishes, such as scratches or deep gouges. Then prime and paint the area to match the surrounding surfaces.