Home Garden

How to Remove Glue From Sheetrock

The challenge of removing glue from Sheetrock can vary, depending on how much adhesive is on the Sheetrock. A common reason for needing to remove glue from Sheetrock is wallpaper. Wallpaper installation requires glue or some other type of adhesive to stick the paper to the Sheetrock. With the right tools and materials, removing the glue from Sheetrock can go one of two ways: unbelievably easy or incredibly difficult. When trying to remove glue, reverse the chemistry by making the hard deposit soft again.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Drop cloths
  • Electrical tape
  • Adhesive remover
  • Hot water
  • White vinegar (optional)
  • Garden bottle sprayer
  • Putty knife
  • Medium-grit sandpaper
  • Sponge
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Protect electrical outlets by removing outlet covers and applying a piece of electrical tape over the outlets. Cover the floor and furniture with a heavy plastic or moisture-proof drop cloth to prevent water damage.

    • 2

      Purchase an adhesive remover and mix the remover with hot water. Another option for removing the glue is to mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water. Pour the mixture into a bottle sprayer to apply it to the wall.

    • 3

      Apply the remover to the glue by spraying the liquid on the glue to soften it. Avoid soaking the Sheetrock too much, as this may cause damage requiring you to replace the Sheetrock.

    • 4

      Use the wide edge of the putty knife to scrape the glue from the Sheetrock. Apply more liquid for hard-to-remove spots. Gently work the adhesive off to avoid damage to the Sheetrock. For stubborn glue spots, use medium-grit sandpaper to sand away the glue.

    • 5

      Wipe off any excess glue with a wet sponge.