How to Remove a Strong Adhesive From Painted Wood

Position a hair dryer over the adhesive. Turn the hair dryer on to the lowest setting. Move the hair dryer over the adhesive and touch the adhesive every few seconds to feel if it is softening.

Rub your fingers in a back-and-forth motion along the adhesive to loosen it. It should start to pull away from the surface if the heat loosened it.

Mix warm water and a few drops of liquid soap in a spouted container. Mix enough solution to soak the spot with the adhesive. Pour the solution over the spot and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Soak up any excess water with an absorbent cloth. Rub your fingers over the spot to loosen and remove the adhesive.

Pour a small amount of an adhesive cleaner, a citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits onto a cheesecloth or loose-nap cloth. The cloth should only feel slightly damp.

Rub the adhesive residue lightly with the damp cloth to avoid damaging the surface or peeling off the paint. Continue rubbing the surface until all of the adhesive is removed from the wood.