Lifestyle Desk:- People keep putting posters, photos, wallpapers, stickers and decorative items to decorate the walls of the house. But sometimes a big problem arises while removing them. The poster or sticker comes off, but the paint on the wall also gets removed along with it. Due to this, white or rough patches start appearing at various places on the wall and the whole look gets spoiled.
If you are thinking of sticking or hanging something on the wall, it is not enough just to see how easily the thing will be attached. It is important to think first whether the paint on the wall will get damaged after removing it or not. Let us know how this problem can be dealt with.
Why does paint come off when you remove a poster?
Many posters or stickers are pasted on the wall with the help of strong adhesives. If the wall paint is old, the grip of the paint is weak or the surface was not properly prepared at the time of painting, then when removing the adhesive, the paint layer may also come off along with it. Especially on a matte paint or a wall which already has moisture problem, there can be a higher risk of paint peeling.
What to check before putting something on the wall?
Test on a small part of the wall
Don't put a large poster or sticker directly on the entire wall. First do a small test at a place which is not easily visible. After some time, remove it slowly and see if there is any effect on the paint. If the paint starts coming off during the test, then do not use the same adhesive on the entire wall.
Avoid very strong glue
If you live in a rented house or want to restore the walls without damaging them in the future, avoid using very strong glues or permanent adhesives. For lightweight decorations, choose options that are rated as wall safe.
Check wall condition first
If the paint is already peeling off on the wall, there are traces of moisture or a crust-like layer is forming on the surface, then avoid putting stickers or posters on it. Removing anything pasted on a weak surface may result in excess paint being removed.
Be careful about the type of paint
Not every paint has the same surface. The adhesive may be applied easily to some paint, while it may be difficult to remove from some surfaces. Therefore, before using any new adhesive product, read its instructions.
What mistakes should not be made while removing posters?
The most common mistake is to draw the poster too quickly in one fell swoop. Doing this may remove the paint layer along with the adhesive.
Remove the poster slowly. If it's stuck too firmly, try the safer method of softening the adhesive instead of pulling it off forcefully. However, before using any heat or chemical, ensure that it is safe for the paint on your wall.
What to do if paint comes off?
If some paint has come off while removing the poster, first clean the area and carefully remove the loose paint. After this, the surface of the wall can be leveled as per requirement and primer and paint of the same shade can be applied. If a large part of the paint has come off or the problem is due to moisture in the wall, then instead of just painting on top, it is important to fix the root cause first.
Better way to decorate walls
If you often change the decoration of your house, then instead of repeatedly hammering nails into the wall or applying strong glue, choose such options which can be easily removed when needed. For lighter frames, suitable hooks or removable mounting options can be used, but it is best to test these on a small area of the wall before installing them.
Keep in mind that before sticking something on the wall, not only think about its grip, but also keep in mind how the wall will look after removing it. Using strong adhesive, especially on old, weak or damp walls, can increase the risk of paint peeling.
A little care and a small test first can save you the expense and trouble of repainting the entire wall later.