Blu Tack is a staple within the house whenever you want a fast, no-fuss method to cling objects. There’s no want to begin drilling holes or drive nails right into a wall; merely break off a blob of Blu Tack and stick it to the wall. Nevertheless, it is not good; it might go away ugly marks when eliminated.
Happily, this information gives loads of ideas and tips that can assist you take away marks and obtain a clear, blemish-free floor. Alternatively, it’s possible you’ll strive portray a ceiling or wall to hide the mark. Nevertheless, this strategy received’t all the time be efficient if the preparation is poor and you choose the fallacious paint. As soon as once more, you’ll discover the solutions right here to forestall that from taking place.
Sarah Dempsey has labored within the cleansing business for over twenty-five years and specialises in home cleansing and laundry. She additionally works carefully with MyJobQuote to supply professional cleansing data to owners, tradespeople and information shops.
Why does Blu Tack mark partitions?
The make-up of Blu Tack is what leaves a mark on the wall, as Sarah Dempsey, Cleansing professional for MyJobQuote, explains, “Blu Tack is created from artificial rubber and mineral oil. The mineral oil is crucial for holding the rubber pliable and sticky, however this does leach out over time.”
She provides, “Sadly, this oil can soak into absorbent surfaces, resembling plaster partitions coated with paint or wallpaper, making a noticeable stain or greasy mark.”
Alice O’Regan, Class Supervisor at Bostik UK (the makers of Blu Tack) factors out the place Blu Tack is finest used, “It’s necessary to do not forget that Blu Tack works finest on non-porous surfaces like vinyl-coated wallpaper, painted surfaces, glass and metallic.”
She provides, “It’s finest to keep away from utilizing Blu Tack on porous brickwork and absorbent or just lately embellished surfaces resembling silk-screen printed or hand-stencilled wallpapers.” It’s price noting that Blu Tack will work on these surfaces, however its composition means it could go away marks. So remember.
Alice O’Regan is Class Supervisor for stationery and restore at Bostik UK, the producer of Blu Tack. Right here, Alice reveals the most effective strategies for eradicating Blu Tack from surfaces.
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Greatest methods to take away Blu Tack
When you’ve received Blu Tack left in your wall after taking down posters, photos and anything, the Blu Tack usually stays on the wall. Right here, Alice O’Regan, Class Supervisor at Bostik UK (the makers of Blu Tack), reveals a number of beneficial methods to eliminate Blu Tack.
Take away Blu Tack with Blu Tack
O’Regan says, “The quickest and handiest method to take away Blu Tack from a wall is through the use of one other blob of Blu Tack.” She continues, “For Blu Tack that has been there for a protracted time frame, we’d suggest not pulling at it. As a substitute, seize a recent piece of Blu Tack, form it right into a ball and thoroughly roll it on the floor.” If this leaves remaining bits of Blu Tack on the floor, she recommends, “Gently rolling or dabbing at these with a recent piece of Blu Tack.”
Use a cleaner or lighter gas
“If Blu Tack has been used on surfaces which might be outdated, delicate or porous, it’s possible you’ll discover marks are left behind,” shares O’Regan. “To take away these, our specialists would suggest testing out chewing gum remover, a citrus-based cleaner, sugar cleaning soap or lighter gas on the realm.” Begin with no matter it’s important to hand, in all probability a citrus-based cleaner, or if a eager DIYer, sugar cleaning soap.
However earlier than you begin, O’Regan says, “We might suggest testing on an not easily seen space first.” She provides the way to use your chosen product: “Apply a small quantity of your chosen cleansing product to a bit of kitchen paper or a clear material and dab, not rub, on the affected space.”
She continues, “Then, with a dry piece of fabric or kitchen paper, dab gently on the space – this dissolves the oil within the Blu Tack and lifts the stain.”
Heat it up
When Blu Tack has been on a floor for a very long time, Sarah Dempsey factors out, “It’s more likely to have hardened, making it harder to take away with out damaging paint or wallpaper.”
If so, Dempsey provides, “It’s essential make it pliable once more. You are able to do this by gently warming it with a hairdryer and thoroughly peeling it away. You could discover a plastic scraper or a bank card useful for this.”
Shake on child powder
For giant, greasy marks left by Blu Tack, Deampesy says, “It may be useful to make use of a cornstarch-based child powder to start with, to absorb as a lot of the oily residue as potential.” She provides, “To avoid wasting any mess, maintain a bit of paper beneath the stain after which sprinkle on a bit of of the infant powder. Go away it for 15 to twenty minutes to permit the absorption of the oil, and use a smooth brush or material to wipe it away.”
To complete the job, Dempsey says, “To take away any staining that continues to be, dab on a bit of washing-up liquid with a material or paper towel and dab it off with a second material or paper towel.”
Rub with a magic eraser
“A magic eraser is one other efficient device for eradicating Blu Tack stains,” shares Dempsey, “It’s finest to dampen it first and use a mild, round movement to keep away from damaging your partitions.”
However, whereas it’s efficient, Dempsey provides a phrase of warning when utilizing, “Magic erasers are barely abrasive, in order that they’re not the most effective resolution for wallpaper marks.”
Easy methods to paint over blue tack stains
When you’re seeking to paint over stains left by Blu Tack, you might want to get your preparation proper and select a very good stain-blocking paint to complete.
Take away residue and stain
Dempsey says, “First, be sure all the Blu Tack has been faraway from the wall. Subsequent, you might want to take away as a lot of the Blu Tack residue and stain as potential.”
She provides, “To do that, dab on sugar cleaning soap or degreaser utilizing a clear, dry paper towel. Then take a second piece of paper towel and hold dabbing till the degreaser and Blu Tack residue have been eliminated.”
Prep floor
Make sure the cleaned space is dry earlier than you prep the wall for portray. Dempsey says, “Don’t fear if there’s nonetheless a small quantity of staining, as this could disappear when you’ve rubbed the realm down with sandpaper.”
She continues, “Use a medium sandpaper grade – 120 grit will do the job – and evenly rub the realm you’re planning to color, together with the place the Blu Tack stain is. Then, wipe down the wall with a clear, dry material or run your vacuum over the floor to take away the mud.”
Paint the stain
With a dry, clear, prepped floor able to go, it is time to paint. Dempsey says, “Now apply your stain-blocking paint. This could stop any oily residues from seeping via; nonetheless, porous surfaces might have two coats. As soon as that is dry, you’ll be able to paint your wall as regular.” Be certain that to learn the producer’s directions to see how lengthy paint takes to dry.
After you have cleaned off any Blu-Tack marks, it is time to begin portray a wall, ceiling, or another floor to realize a brand new stain-free end. Try our loft bed room adorning concepts and wall panelling concepts for extra adorning inspiration and perception.
