Mastic Removal?

I have not had to deal with removing mastic. So take this suggestion with a big lump of salt – how about using a flat blade shovel? But it is good only if it doesn’t damage the wall. I suppose a belt sander used very carefully to knock the high spots may work also.

Dalec

Use a wall paper scraper. It’s actually a peeler. About a 3” straight razor blade set slightly at an angle on about a 10” handle. Peel the stuff off, don’t scrape.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

Thanks, Catspaw, I was just looking at one of these on a big-box website. It looks like they’re pretty cheap! About $8, and replacement blades are available. I’ll give it a shot!

-- Proud to be an addicted LJ, GT and HR!

After reading Catspaw’s suggestion, it sound a whole lot better than mine of scrapping the mastic off.

Dalec

Believe me, Dalec, I was thinking along similar lines. The belt sander was something I was considering.

I got the wallpaper scraper, some extra blades, and some adhesive stripper/softener. I’m going for a combined approach.

-- Proud to be an addicted LJ, GT and HR!

Is it maybe a lot faster to just drywall right over the top of it. You might weigh cost and time. Also look at how the door trims and base moulding will be or need to be replaced.

I considered that, PaBull, but the the globs would have made an uneven surface over which to lay the drywall. Besides, I’m on a big time and budget constraint, so I tried the wallpaper scraper.

Man, did that ever work great! I invested about $15 in the scraper and a couple of packs of razor blades, and made very short work of the mastic. That stuff practically jumped off the walls. Now I’m mudding over the nail holes and little spots where the mastic pulled off old paint and loose plaster. Maybe I’ll post some pics in a project.

-- Proud to be an addicted LJ, GT and HR!

Thanks for the update. I am waiting for the pics.