Generally, Wall Stickers are easier to release from a wall surface than most other decals applied to other surfaces, especially if applied to flat latex paint.
However, if the vinyl has affixed itself firmly to the wall that is coated with a gloss latex paint or an oil-based enamel, then you may have to grab a hair dryer or heat gun and apply some heat to the vinyl.
With heat, most vinyls will almost fall off the wall, or at least release quite easily. On occasion, the vinyl may pull some paint off the wall, and you may have to patch and re-paint areas or an entire wall. This is not the norm, but it can happen.
Are wall decals reusable?
Not usually. Any adhesive decal will lose its adhesive qualities over time. Plus, when you remove it from most walls, it will either bring lots of debris with it, such as latex paint, sheetrock texturing, etc.
If you're removing it from a smooth wall, and it isn't releasing easily, you'll need to use a heat gun or hair dryer to help the glue release, then you'll be stretching and/or tearing the vinyl wall stickers.
There are some static wall stickers that don't use adhesives that can be reused, but they're a different type of decal that we're not covering here.
Question: How long wall stickers last?
Probably longer than you'll want them on your walls.
Most adhesive vinyl stickers are rated for outdoor usage, and we've seen anywhere from 3 to 10 years and longer for these materials.
Indoors, the main thing you need to make sure of is that the walls are either very clean (grease and oil free) or freshly painted (although with latex paint, it's best to wait 30 days after a wall is painted to apply graphics).
If the wall is clean, there won't be much to disturb the graphics, even if they're in full sun. Most modern windows are tinted to varying degrees to keep sun damage to a minimum inside homes and offices, so direct sun inside is not the same as direct sun out-of-doors.
Since most digitally printed wall decals and stickers are rated for 3-5 years out-of-doors, it stands to reason that indoors they'll last at least this long, maybe longer. Again, the biggest enemy to indoor wall sticker installation is the oily films that affix themselves to walls. There is a lot of oily grime in the air, and it comes through the ducting systems from the outside, through air filters, or through doors and windows. The exhaust from cars and trucks is laden with this oily grime, and it will stick to your walls.
Cleaning the walls thoroughly, or better yet, giving them a fresh coat of paint, is much more effective than anything else you'll be able to do indoors to keep your wall graphics looking good and not falling off your walls.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barry K. Brown has been in the Sign, Banner, Decal and Display Business for over 20 years. It isn't what he thought he'd do with his life, but he says he knows too much now to do anything else!
Barry is a great resource for information regarding Signs, Banners, Decals, and Displays, and is also an outstanding source of information on how to shop online without getting ripped off.
He invites you to CLICK HERE for customized wall decals and stickers offered at WHOLESALE pricing. Rated A+ by the BBB, you can ask for a FREE Quote.
