How to Remove Backsplash Glue

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Things You'll Need

  • Sandpaper

  • Electric sander

  • Damp cloth, duster or soft brush

Removing backsplash adhesive can sometimes be a tricky job.

Backsplash refers to the space between the bottom of the cupboard and the top of the counter in a kitchen. Many homeowners install decorative glass or ceramic tiles in this area or sheets of copper or brass. Decorative material in this area can drastically brighten a kitchen, giving it a strongly transformative look. However, if you ever change or remove your backsplash material, you might find it difficult to remove bits of lingering adhesive. You must treat these bits gently, but aggressively. Rough treatment can take off bits of paint behind the adhesive.

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Step 1

Rub the lingering adhesive with your finger to assess how hard or soft it is. Soft adhesive will have a yielding quality to it, whereas hard adhesive will just have a rock-hard quality.

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Step 2

Take several sheets of course sandpaper to remove soft adhesive. Rub the sandpaper vigorously against the soft remnants of adhesive.

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Step 3

Plug in an electric sander for very hard adhesive. Unlike with soft adhesive, lightly and carefully move the electric sander across the surface area of the stuck-on hard adhesive.

Step 4

Remove the sandpaper or electric sander and evaluate your progress. You might need to repeat this process for a minute or so or stop all together if you don't see any more adhesive.

Step 5

Wipe off the area with a damp cloth, duster or soft brush.

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