Fix Paint Damage After Removing Foam: Tips & Advice

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses methods for removing remaining foam and repairing paint damage after acoustic foam has been removed from a wall. Participants share various techniques and products that may help in this process, focusing on both the removal of adhesive and the repair of paint.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest scraping or pulling the foam off while minimizing damage, followed by repainting the affected areas.
  • Others propose using heat, such as a hair dryer or steamer, to soften the adhesive for easier removal.
  • One participant mentions the use of WD-40 as an effective adhesive remover, while cautioning about potential residue affecting paint adhesion.
  • Another participant recommends turpentine or rubbing alcohol as alternatives for softening adhesive, emphasizing the need for ventilation due to flammable vapors.
  • There is a discussion about the terminology of "hair dryer," with one participant clarifying their reference to an industrial heat gun.
  • Some participants express the importance of testing any solvent or adhesive remover on a small area first to avoid further damage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of methods for removing foam and repairing paint, with no consensus on a single best approach. Different opinions on the effectiveness and safety of various products and techniques are present.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of testing products on inconspicuous areas and the need for proper ventilation when using solvents. There are also concerns about the potential for certain solvents to damage underlying materials.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals looking for practical advice on home repair, particularly those dealing with adhesive removal and paint touch-up after foam installation.

fitz_calc
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A lot of you seem like the "handy" type so maybe you can give me some advice. A friend of my had some acoustic foam on his wall (with spray-on adhere stuff), removed the foam, and now some foam is stuck and in other spots some of the paint was removed.

YqJbtOH.jpg

ShE0sOO.jpg


1. How should I remove the remaining foam without damaging the paint?
2. The spots that are missing paint due to foam removal, what's the best way to repair?

Thank you for your help :)
 
Last edited:
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If it were me I would just pull or scrape or whatever is needed to remove the foam with the minimum damage and then repaint.
 
Same. Scrape everything off, grab a sample square of the paint from an affected area so you can get the paint mixed to the proper color, sand the affected areas, and re-paint.
 
Sometimes heat will soften adhesive. A woman's hair dryer might be just the ticket for removing the remainiing foam.

That looks like a textured wall.
The fellows at your local lumberyard can suggest suitable repair products.
There's textured paint in spray cans now, and something called "knockdown".

Three words men fear most are "I don't know". Go in your lumberyard and ask for their help. They'll not think less of you..



old jim
 
jim hardy said:
Sometimes heat will soften adhesive. A woman's hair dryer might be just the ticket for removing the remainiing foam.
What's wrong with using a man's hair dryer?

Heat could be a good idea, perhaps try dampening it as well. Steamers are a good way of getting most things off walls. For the blank spaces so long as there's no damage underneath (broken plaster for example) just touch them up with a small pot of paint.
 
This stuff has always worked wonders for me. If you do try it, do a test area first.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041LY4MY/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Excellent ideas, thanks all for the help!
 
WD 40 has a good record for removing adhesives and gunk from just about anything.
 
fitz_calc said:
A lot of you seem like the "handy" type so maybe you can give me some advice. A friend of my had some acoustic foam on his wall (with spray-on adhere stuff), removed the foam, and now some foam is stuck and in other spots some of the paint was removed.

YqJbtOH.jpg

ShE0sOO.jpg


1. How should I remove the remaining foam without damaging the paint?
2. The spots that are missing paint due to foam removal, what's the best way to repair?

Thank you for your help :)
Gently brush some turp's or similar solvent onto the foam and "melt" it off. Simple's!
 
  • #10
Just use WD 40. Soak it in, it'll start to dissolve the foam and the goo.
 
  • #11
Ryan_m_b said:
What's wrong with using a man's hair dryer?

Aha nice catch...

Frame of reference problem here -

i am of an industrial workshop mindset where the term "Hair Dryer" is mis-applied.
It's slang, how we refer to an 'industrial heat gun' used for shrink tubing.
This one weighs five pounds and will ignite charcoal.

4Z714_AS01?$productdetail$.jpg


Tim Allen or Red Green would call it a "man's hair dryer"...
The resemblance to a woman's hair dryer is apparent.
But this one would quickly melt styrofoam and likely set it afire.

I hope above is a satisfactory explanation for my genderizing the term .

old jim
 
  • #12
WD40 will likely leave residue to which your touch-up paint won't adhere. Test it somewhere inconspicuous..Veli's turpentine might work and has a pleasant piney smell.
Beware of solvents like acetone that attack the styrofoam, you'll get a real mess.

I'd try rubbing alcohol to soften the adhesive, but first open all the doors & windows.
You don't want explosive vapors of any sort to build up.
They are generally heavier than air and will collect on floor or in basement. Ventilate!
 

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