How to Remove a Magnetic Screen Door Without Damaging Paint

Taking a magnetic screen door down sounds easy — until the Velcro tape brings a strip of paint (and your security deposit) with it. If you rent, this is the part everyone worries about. The good news: with a little heat and patience, the frame comes out clean. Here's exactly how.

What you'll need

• A hairdryer (or heat gun on low)
• An old plastic card or a length of dental floss
• Goo Gone or a little WD-40
• A microfiber cloth and some mild soap and water

Step 1 — Warm the adhesive first

Don't pull cold tape. Run a hairdryer over the Velcro strip on low heat for 30–60 seconds, section by section. The warmth softens the adhesive so it lets go of the frame instead of the paint.

Step 2 — Peel slowly, at a low angle

Lift one corner, then pull the tape back on itself — flat against the frame — rather than straight out. Going slow and low keeps the pressure off the paint. If a section resists, warm it again instead of forcing it.

Step 3 — Clear the leftover residue

A little gummy residue is normal. Dab on Goo Gone or WD-40, let it sit a minute, then wipe away. Finish with a pass of mild soap and water so no oily film is left behind.

Step 4 — Fill any tiny pinholes

If you hung yours with the included pushpins on a wooden frame, you may have a few pin-sized holes. A dab of spackle smoothed with your finger makes them disappear — far easier than fixing a peeled patch.

The trick that prevents this next time

Renters swear by one move: before sticking the Velcro, lay down a strip of blue painter's tape on the frame first, then press the Velcro onto the tape. When you move out, you peel off the painter's tape and the frame underneath is untouched. It's the simplest deposit-saver there is.

If a little paint still lifts

On older or thinly painted frames, a fleck can still come up. Keep a small bottle of matching touch-up paint on hand — a quick dab and it's invisible.

A magnetic screen door should make your space better while you're there and leave no trace when you go. Fillis is built for exactly that — no drilling, fully removable, renter-friendly from day one.

See also: Renter-Friendly Screen Doors: No-Drill, No-Damage Install and Installation Mistakes That Damage Your Door Frames.

Open your door. Keep your comfort.