Should I remove contact or just replace over the top?

Jacqui Brown
by Jacqui Brown

I'm doing up an old kitchen dresser for my bedroom ...it's lined w/ contact...shd I leave & put the new over it or remove first...was thinking checker plate look or shd I try & find a feminine floral...?

  8 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 25, 2018

    If it's stuck good and not curling just go over it with whatever makes you smile.

  • Lynn Lynn on Sep 25, 2018

    Thats a tricky one! It's best to remove it if you can, but if it has basically become one with the dresser drawer bottom, trying to remove it can be like trying to peel one of those hard boiled eggs that chips off it tiny pieces, removing chunks of egg with it, vs having the shell fall off it two easy pieces!! You might end up with pulling little slivers of the paper off at a time. Then, youll have an uneven surface to cover over when you finally decide you're done trying to remove it! I'd say, try maybe the back corner of a bottom drawer to get a sense if it'll pull up easily in one piece or so. If it does, go for it! Otherwise, I'd cover it up!!


  • Janice Janice on Sep 26, 2018

    Seems like either way would work, just choose the easiest way and select a pattern that you love and makes you happy. It's amazing how a simple redo like that and a surprise inside the drawer or the sides of a drawer can add a touch of whimsy and happiness. I have colorful scrapbook paper adhered to the inside of my metal backed medicine cabinets and it makes me smile a bit every time I open them. Change it out once in a while for good measure! Life is good!

  • Hit it with the blow dryer, do it as you pull up on a corner. It will heat the old adhesive making it soft. As far as pattern, do what make a you happy

  • I would try to remove it if it will come up easily. If it seems like it's not going to come up well then just go over it.

  • Dee Dee on Oct 09, 2018

    It looks like it is curling in the photo. I would try to remove the contact paper and replace it with another. You could get some thin Luan wood at a craft store the hardware stores sell it too. It is easy to cut and would look fantastic.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Oct 09, 2018

    Remove old paper

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jan 31, 2022

    i would just clean up and install a new one