I just bought a house, and the previous owner left chalkboards attached to the stainless steel fridge and dishwasher using a super tough silicone-style adhesive. I've tried using a hair dryer on high heat, but it just turns gummy and clogs my putty knife. I'm looking for effective methods to remove this adhesive without damaging the stainless steel surface. Any advice would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
You might want to try a commercial adhesive remover like Goo Gone. I’ve heard it works pretty well on stubborn residues. Just make sure to test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t affect the finish of your fridge!
I’ve had success using vegetable oil to break down adhesive. Just apply a light coat on a rag and it can help loosen up the sticky stuff. Plus, it’s great for wiping away fingerprints after you’re done!
Acetone could do the trick! Just be cautious with it, and again, test on a small spot first. Rubbing alcohol is another option I’ve used that tends to work well for most adhesives without damaging stainless steel.

Yeah, I've had good luck with rubbing alcohol, too! It’s not too harsh and usually lifts the adhesive pretty easily.