sticky shelves niightmare

We are in the process of cleaning up an apartment where the tenant went totally berserk using glued down decorative shelf paper to cover - not only the surfaces of all of the shelves in her kitchen cabinets - but most all of other shelves in closets etc. throughout the home.

Our question is: Has anyone out there any idea of what to use to get CUT OR DISSOLVE - or otherwise completely remove the thin coat of gunk and (or) stickiness that persists after you finally scrape away and pull up said paper?

Many many thanks for suggesting any possible solution!

PS We have tried sandpaper but it just doesn't work very well.

--173.48.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Sparky [PA]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 2:35 PM
Message:

I would try Goo Gone. --100.6.xx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Bill [ME]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 2:36 PM
Message:

I had a similar, but not as extensive an issue, wherein a tenant covered several shelves with double sided mouse catching paper... Eventually had to entirely replace several shelves!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!! --173.48.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 2:44 PM
Message:

Would it be easier to just put new shelf liner down? --24.61.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Philis [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 2:54 PM
Message:

Wouldn't covering the problem with more of this horrendous paper be compounding the problem in the future?

I know gasoline can cut almost anything BUT THAT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS! --173.48.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 3:26 PM
Message:

I prefer shelf liner over previous occupants goop. In my old houses, I clean it up as best I can, put down new liner when torn or won't come clean.

That said, Goo Gone or Goof Off will remove it. Windex removes some types. --172.58.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 3:58 PM
Message:

Have you tried isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) and a scraper? That's my go-to for adhesives or grease. It's good to get something to rub it with that is less likely to disintegrate-- a good scrubby rather than a paper towel. --166.137.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by hollis [MA]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 4:18 PM
Message:

Well you can go with the big dogs, just be careful with open windows and maybe fans,.er flames too,...if there is a lot of shelves,..get an appropriate mask mask for these,..I would try toluene, or methyl ethyl ketone,..acetone will take off just about any adhesive,..but it drys REAL fast,..do small section at a time,..

or you could try mineral spirits first,..(something that has more around the house uses)

Some adhesives surprisingly can be removed by letting WD 40 soak for a while,..I have also used blaster antisieze/penetrating spray,..

Clean up with TSP,.. --66.30.xx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 4:24 PM
Message:

Denatured alcohol would be my first choice. The new purple grease lightning might work --66.87.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 4:36 PM
Message:

Also try cooking oil. It's the best thing for cleaning hands of roofing tar --66.87.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 6:20 PM
Message:

Put more sticky paper down but choose a better color. Do NOT use toluene or acetone unless you want to get Parkinson's Disease later. Those type chemicals dissolves some specialized cells at the back of the brain that dampen the signals from our brain to our arms and legs. Once they are gone, people's arms just keep shaking because the signal keeps going back and forth. I know four people who got it and one of them used those chemicals to clean oil paints. That was my uncle. One was a printer who used those chemicals to get the ink off of rollers. I can't remember the other two. This info is available occasionally then drops out of sight again. Long long ago there was an article in Life magazine about a woman reporter who had Parkinsons and they transplanted some of those little cells into her brain and she got well again somewhat. Never saw that again and all I see now is that Parkinson's has no cure. But please do not use those chemicals and I don't think using them in fresh air is enough. --73.178.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 6:29 PM
Message:

Whichever of the above products you use to soften it, be prepared with razor blades and many nylon scrubby pads to scrape & scrub it off.

I agree - it may be easier to just put a plain color liner over it, depending on the quality of the property and how much security deposit you have to work with. --68.10.xxx.x

sticky shelves niightmare (by LiveTheDream [AZ]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 2:05 AM
Message:

I line my shelves and drawers with sticky flooring tile. Easy to clean and nobody puts shelf paper on it.

Also in our Renters handbook under "Kitchen" is a paragraph on lining cabinets and what is allowed. And they initial it after we explain it. --47.216.xx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Opinionated [NC]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 3:28 AM
Message:

Mineral spirits paint thinner. --66.226.xx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 4:15 AM
Message:

"Fantastick" spray cleaner.

I have tenats do the same thing.

Good quality shelf liner peels of in large pieces with no residue. The cheap liner peels off I tiny pieces and leaves the residue.

Sometimes I peel and clean as much as I can, then prime and repaint the shelf, or put a new, good quailty liner over top. --70.29.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 4:17 AM
Message:

You have to soak the shelf and let the fantastick sit on the shelf for 10 mins before cleaning and scrapping. --70.29.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by nhsailmaker [NH]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 4:37 AM
Message:

Acetone --24.34.xx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 5:25 AM
Message:

After you figure in something for your time, the question floats vividly to the surface - is it worth it? Why not charge the old tenant for replacement shelves to make the unit same as movein time? If you are destined to spend a few days working on this try oven cleaner with windows open. --76.188.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 8:21 AM
Message:

Seems to me there had to be a reason to cover up the shelves in the first place. I would go with Live the Dream's suggestion. I have fixed some under the sink cabinets with that sticky tile and right now it's under my sink due to a spill in the spring of drain cleaner. That was a nightmare. --73.178.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Rick [MA]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 8:36 AM
Message:

Ugh!

I was thinking of becoming a big time LL someday. Npw I am not so sure!!!! --173.48.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 8:55 AM
Message:

I would cover it up with either wall paper (I have tons of it) or else flooring vinyl - either squares or else cut out from left overs --72.70.xxx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 3:22 PM
Message:

Just line the cabinets with the thick, clear plastic, non-stick shelf liner. When it's time to repaint, sand the stickiness off. The non-stick liner is great, easy to clean, and with the sticky shelf, will stay in place. --108.69.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 7:29 PM
Message:

As a woodworker I know there are a "range" of solvents. You need to know what the "base" material is that you're trying to remove. If oil based, Mineral Spirits is one option. If that is working but not fast enough, you can try nail polish remover...better known as Acetone...but be careful to have LOTS of ventilation as the fumes are strong.

Hope you get something to work. --99.92.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 10:13 PM
Message:

previous comments remind me that I replaced blistered shelves w/ new ones to keep my older cabinets looking fresh.

Not to hard to find the common wood 'finishes' in HD or Lowes. Mine were blond maple. Still don't know how tenant managed to get so many upper cabinet shelves waterlogged, and that particle board just soaks it up and crumbles. --24.194.xx.xx

sticky shelves niightmare (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2018 10:22 AM
Message:

Citristrip .... I peeled up self stick floor tiles from a wood floor and used this to pull the gum from the floor. Non toxic ... smells like orange. Just let it sit over night. --72.227.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Wilma [PA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2018 2:50 PM
Message:

We bought some very thin but stiff opaque white sheet plastic and cut it to size for shelves. Easy to wipe clean, keeps the shelves from getting damaged from spills. Tenants love them, and I love how I can just wipe up messes after moveouts.

I think that we bought the material in the window section of a big box store - it was intended to block the lower sash in a bathroom. --71.175.xxx.xxx

sticky shelves niightmare (by Scott Ballet [MA]) Posted on: Jul 11, 2018 6:47 PM
Message:

Wow - I see a lot a good suggestions here that I'll make note of!

I provide the non-adhesive type on cabinet liners. In my lease it specifies that they must keep those or other non-adhesive liners in place. The ones I put in are nice so they are usually still there when the tenant leaves. --71.174.xx.x

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