Removing contact paper from metal cabinets can be a tricky process, but with some patience and the right techniques, it can be done successfully. Contact paper is a great temporary solution for covering up worn or outdated cabinets, but over time it can peel, tear, and leave behind a sticky residue that is difficult to remove. With the proper supplies and methods, you can get those metal cabinets looking fresh and new again.
What You’ll Need to Remove the Contact Paper
Before starting the contact paper removal process, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paper towels or rags
- Plastic scraper or putty knife
- Vegetable oil or olive oil
- Dish soap
- Sponge or scrub pad
- Goo Gone or adhesive remover
- Painters tape
- Drop cloth or newspapers
Protecting your floors and surfaces is also a good idea. Lay down a drop cloth or some newspapers around the bottom of the cabinets to catch any drips or debris. Also have some painters tape available to tape off areas you don’t want to get messy.
Preparing the Cabinets for Removal
Before attacking the contact paper, do a bit of preparation first:
- Clear out the cabinets completely, removing all items stored inside. This gives you full access to the paper.
- Open up the cabinets fully so the entire surface is exposed.
- Remove cabinet doors and drawers if possible for easier access.
- Detach any hardware, handles or knobs from cabinet fronts for full contact paper access.
Having full access to the paper will make the removal process much simpler.
Loosening the Edges
Start the removal process by loosening up the edges of the contact paper:
- Use a plastic scraper or putty knife to gently lift up the outer edges of the paper.
- Work slowly around the perimeter, gently freeing the paper from the metal beneath.
- Spraying a little rubbing alcohol under the lifted edges can help further loosen the adhesive.
- Avoid tearing the paper if possible. Lifting a clean, intact sheet will be easier than scraps.
Take your time with this initial edge lifting. Getting just a corner or lip freed gives you a place to grip for full removal.
Peeling Off Large Sections
Once you’ve freed the outer edges, start peeling off bigger sheets and sections:
- Start peeling slowly, pulling parallel to the surface rather than perpendicular.
- Pull towards yourself, keeping the contact paper as flat to the surface as possible as you peel.
- Use a plastic scraper or putty knife to help lift corners and bigger sections.
- Try to keep peeled sections as large and intact as possible. Small scraps can be tricky.
- Spray rubbing alcohol as you peel to help loosen the adhesive.
- Discard removed paper immediately to avoid getting it stuck elsewhere.
Take it slow and steady as you work your way across the cabinet surface. Patience pays off over brute force.
Removing Adhesive Residue
With the top layer of contact paper removed, you’ll be left with a sticky adhesive residue:
- Try using vegetable oil or olive oil to break down the residue. Rub a thin layer into the remaining adhesive.
- Let the oil sit for 10-15 minutes then wipe away with paper towels. The oil helps dissolve the stubborn glue.
- Use a plastic scraper to lightly scrape the surface, getting under any leftover paper scraps.
- For heavier glue deposits, use an adhesive remover like Goo Gone. Apply it and let it sit before wiping clean with a rag.
- Finish up with dish soap and water, using a sponge or scrub pad in circular motions to remove oily residue.
- Dry thoroughly with clean paper towels or a lint-free cloth.
Be patient during this process. Removing contact paper glue can be a slow process with many steps, but the oil and adhesive removers work very effectively.
Avoiding Damage to the Metal Surface
When dealing with metal cabinets, be very careful not to damage the finish during removal:
- Use plastic scrapers and putty knives to avoid scratching. Metal tools will damage the finish.
- Don’t use excessive force when pulling at stuck paper or glue. This can pull off paint or finish.
- Take your time with oil, adhesive remover and scrub pads. Too much scrubbing can remove paint and finish.
- If using steel wool or other abrasives, use extremely fine grades 000 or 0000.
- Test products and methods in inconspicuous spots first.
- Consider repainting damaged areas when done rather than stripping all finish.
The goal is to remove the contact paper, not the cabinet finish along with it. Careful, gentle techniques will get the paper off without damaging your cabinets.
Preventing Future Use of Contact Paper
Once you’ve put in all that hard work removing old contact paper, you’ll want to prevent anyone from ever using it again on those cabinets:
- Completely remove every trace of adhesive residue so the cabinets feel smooth to the touch.
- Clean the cabinets well with dish soap and water after adhesive removal.
- Consider sealing the cabinets with polyurethane once fully cleaned and dried. This gives a protective barrier coat.
- Attach a warning sign or leave notes advising against future contact paper use.
- Discuss with family members your policy on no more contact paper on the newly refinished cabinets.
Your pristine cabinets will stay that way much longer if everyone knows contact paper is off limits moving forward. Enjoy the newly refreshed look!
FAQs About Removing Contact Paper from Cabinets
Still have some questions about the best way to tackle contact paper removal from those metal cabinets? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should I peel off contact paper when it’s wet or dry?
It’s best to remove contact paper when it’s dry. Wetting contact paper can soften the adhesive, but it also makes the paper slimy, slippery and hard to grab onto. Dry pulling allows you to get a better grip on the edge for peeling it back.
What’s the easiest way to get contact paper residue off cabinets?
Letting vegetable, olive or coconut oil sit on the adhesive residue then wiping it away is the easiest and most effective method. Just apply a thin layer of oil over the sticker residue, let it soak for 10-15 minutes, then wipe clean with paper towels. The oil dissolves the glue.
What household items can I use to remove contact paper glue?
Vegetable oil, olive oil or coconut oil work very well at breaking down contact paper adhesive. Rubbing alcohol will also help soften the glue by spraying it under lifted paper edges. Avoid using acetone or nail polish remover as these can damage cabinet finishes.
How do I get old contact paper unstuck from textured surfaces?
Textured cabinet surfaces make contact paper removal even trickier. Use a plastic scraper or putty knife to gently lift under the edges, then pull slowly parallel to the surface. Apply oils or adhesive remover to residue and let them soak in well before attempting to wipe away. Soaking and gentle scraping are key for textured surfaces.
How can I remove contact paper faster?
Patience and gentleness are the best ways to remove contact paper. However, applying heat can help soften the adhesive which speeds things up a bit. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to gently warm areas before peeling. Just don’t get it so hot that it melts the contact paper or damages the finish underneath.
Should I replace my cabinets instead of removing contact paper?
If your cabinets are in very rough shape underneath layers of tattered contact paper, replacement may be worth considering. But if the boxes themselves are structurally sound, putting in the elbow grease to remove contact paper and revitalize their appearance is a much more economical option.
How do I repair damaged finishes after removing contact paper?
If areas of finish have peeled or flaked off along with the contact paper, consider sanding and repainting those spots with a matching cabinet paint. This blended touch up spot repair makes the cabinets look good as new without requiring a total refinishing.
Conclusion
Removing contact paper from metal cabinets provides a very rewarding transformation, but does require some serious time and manual labor. By properly preparing your workspace, having the right tools and supplies on hand, peeling carefully, and gently dissolving adhesive residue, you can slowly but surely remove all traces of old contact paper from your cabinets. Just be patient and persistent, and those metal cabinets will once again gleam beautifully once the contact paper is gone. The elbow grease will pay off!