Command strips are a great, easy way to hang up hooks, lights, and pictures on walls, even if the surfaces are rough or textured.
But removing command strips can be tricky. We definitely have our fair share of command strip horror stories! But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In our article, we’ll take a look at why command strips damage our walls, how to fix such damage, and how to avoid damage in the future.
Drywall repair kits are an essential tool to repair walls damaged by command strips. To repair walls with these kits, clean the surface and apply the drywall paste.
Then, use sandpaper to remove excessive mixture and even out rough surfaces. Lastly, apply primer and repaint the wall.
Why Do Command Strips Damage Our Walls?
How you apply and remove a command strip on a frame will have a big impact on how much damage it does to the wall. When you pull the strip hard, you’ll pull the paint off too.
This is also the case when you remove command strips too soon after you’ve applied them to the wall, and when trying to straighten the strips.
The stickiness of the strips is what causes the paint to peel off, as a strong seal forms between the strip and the wall.
The heaviness of the object you’re hanging up can also cause damage to the wall. The object will fall, and sometimes tear the strips – and your paint and wallpaper – off with it.
How Much Drywall Paste Do You Need To Fix Damage From Command Strips?
Luckily, you do not need to break the bank buying drywall paste. Command strips will only remove paint from certain spots, so you don’t need a lot of paste to correct the problem.
The amount of drywall you will need all depends on the type of damage and how much damage there is. One drywall kit is often plenty when you only need to cover a couple of spots.
How To Fix Your Wall After Command Strip Damage
Drywall kits usually contain a scraper, sandpaper, a putty knife, dry paste, and a primer to prepare the damaged surface. But how do you use these kits to fix your wall? Let’s take a look.
Remove Paint Peels
Command strips can leave unsightly paint peels on the wall. To remove these you will need a plastic scraper. To ensure you get a smooth surface, move the scraper in different directions.
Clean Your Wall
Cleaning your wall helps to remove any residual adhesive and paint chips. Use a clean sponge or duster to remove dust and small paint particles.
You should clean your wall even when fixing small holes, as paint particles can still get in the way of the smoothing process.
Apply Drywall Paste
Apply a water-resistant primer to your wall before applying the drywall paste. To apply the paste you will need a flat putty knife with a sharp tip for the best results.
Begin applying the paste horizontally in a forward motion, before removing the putty knife from the surface and applying the paste in a backward motion.
Repeat this process until the surface is completely even. Then, use the putty knife to remove excessive mixture by moving the flat end of the blade over the hole you’ve just patched.
Sand The Damaged Spot
Leave the paste dry for 10 to 15 minutes, before rubbing sandpaper over the paste you’ve applied. This will remove any excess mixture and make doubly sure the surface is even.
Use a soft cloth to carefully clean the area. You don’t need to rub it too hard! Check any uneven and rough surfaces with your hand to make sure the surface is flat.
Apply Primer
After you’ve applied drywall paste, apply primer to the damaged spot. If primer is not included in your drywall kit, use a separate paint primer.
Remember, primer needs time to dry, so you may have to wait for a couple of minutes before you move onto the next step.
Apply Paint
For this step, you will need a brush and a paint box with a color that matches the wall. You just need to apply a small amount of paint evenly to the affected surface.
Blend the paint in as much as you can and let the paint dry before applying another coat.
How To Avoid Command Strip Damage
While it may seem like command strip damage is hard to avoid, the truth is there are many ways you can prevent this issue.
The first preventative measure is to apply command strips by gently pressing them against the surface to ensure they stick.
When removing a frame you have hung up with command strips, make sure you move the frame or shelf upward before taking it off the wall. Follow the path of the strip rather than going against it.
When you try to pull command strips in a straight direction, the more likely it is that they will peel away the paint and cause cracking.
Varnish removers can also help make command strips less sticky, and easier to remove. Apply varnish removers with a brush, and then use a scraper to peel the strip from the wall.
You can also apply heat to command strips to decrease their adhesiveness. Warm glue actually does not interfere in the removal of command strips. Floss can also be an effective way to remove command strips from the wall.
Conclusion
It’s no secret command strips can damage your wall, but if applied correctly (and removed correctly) then you can avoid this damage.
Still, avoiding damage is easier said than done sometimes. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to repair command strip damage by following the steps we’ve outlined above.
All you need is a good drywall repair kit, some paint, and a paint brush to smooth over any damage done by command strips.
Leave a comment