How do I get excess tape off ceiling trim after painting?

Tina Koch
by Tina Koch
I had a painter come in to paint bathroom, mind you not a pro, and they used tape to paint but didn't remove tape right after. When I got home and tried to remove tape, it was literally stuck along edge line, some came off, some won't. How do I remove it without damaging the paint job?
  9 answers
  • Judy vacarra Judy vacarra on Dec 24, 2014
    Use your hair dryer , just warm it up and it should zip right off,
  • Terry H Terry H on Dec 24, 2014
    I would loosen the ends carefully with a razor blade, then it should peel right off without damaging any of the other paint...Then it's simply a matter of touching up paint...
  • Darla Darla on Dec 24, 2014
    Take an exacto knife or razor blade and cut lightly along the stuck edge line.
  • Terina Maria Terina Maria on Dec 25, 2014
    I had the same problem, except along the baseboards and trim around the fireplace. I wish I would've thought to use a hairdryer! Instead, I used an exacto knife, which created its own set of issues. Go with the hairdryer method first.
  • Cathy Cathy on Dec 25, 2014
    The hairdryer is the trick!!
  • Hot air Hot air on Dec 25, 2014
    I have a maintenance business for over 30 years now. The best thing for getting any tape off anything is rubbing alcohol. Test a small area to make sure doesn't damage surface alcohol also good for remoming ink off surfaces and tape off glass windows etc. very reasonable priced and very efficent. You may need to rub surface for awhile but it will work wonderfully.
    • Judy vacarra Judy vacarra on Dec 25, 2014
      alcohol is the best thing to remove latex paint , might want to thnk about tHAT @Hot air softens the tape and lets it release , not too hot though
  • Tina Koch Tina Koch on Dec 25, 2014
    Thanks for all the help. I will try the hairdyer first, then the rubbing alcohol.
  • Lisadoll Lisadoll on Dec 25, 2014
    Goo Gone. Can't believe nobody recommended this stuff! I use it for lots of things.. Stubborn price tags, labels, lipstick.. Just used Ggo Gone to remove painters tape adhesive residue from my vinyl window frames. I cannot live without this stuff. Everybody sells this citrus based cleaner. It comes in either a spray or squeez bottle.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 16, 2015
    Do not use any solvents, it can ruin the paint job. Use a hair dryer and very gently {I use an exacto knife] Lift a corner and pull the tape off on the angle of the ceiling not straight across. Do this very slowly and you will have no problems. Yes alcohol will remove the tape, but it also removes latex paint. It is good for drip marks on the floor.