I'm working on a room with plaster walls in my house. The previous owner used liquid nails to attach the baseboards and window trim, and I remember that during another renovation, a contractor had to remove baseboards, which ended up pulling off chunks of plaster. I have another room that needs the baseboards and window trim taken off. I saw on YouTube that people use a heat gun to soften the liquid nails, but I have a baseboard covering it. I'm not sure if I can heat it enough to work effectively. What's the best approach to remove this without damaging my walls?
2 Answers
I'd suggest trying a heat gun along with a putty knife, but do be prepared—it can be a slow process. If you can gently create a wedge, you might be able to apply some solvent into that gap to help loosen things up.
Are you looking to save the trim, or is your main concern protecting the plaster? I'd recommend using an oscillating tool to cut through the liquid nails from behind the trim. Once you've removed it, you can clean up any leftover adhesive. You can grab a cheap oscillating tool from Harbor Freight if you're on a budget. They have some good options that won't break the bank!
I'm just replacing the baseboard, so I want to limit the damage to the plaster. I’ll definitely try the oscillating tool along with the heat gun. Thanks!