If you don’t have any kind of drop sheet, you could lay down some newspapers or pieces of cardboard as an alternative.
Caulking and paint both act like glues and will make it much more difficult to pry the molding off without damaging it or the wall or ceiling. [2] X Research source [v161695_b01]. 6 October 2022. A box cutter works as an alternative to a utility knife.
It will be much easier to pry and loosen smaller sections of molding than a bunch of sections that are stuck together by paint or caulking.
This will begin to separate the molding from the wall so you can start to pry it off. If you don’t have a pry bar, you can hammer another utensil like a putty knife under the edge of the molding to make a small gap, then use the backside of a claw hammer to pry the molding away.
You can also use the backside of a hammer, the part for prying up nails, right next to the pry bar to get extra leverage. If you want to add extra protection for the wall, slip a scrap piece of wood or a rag between the back of the pry bar and the wall.
Once the molding is loose all the way along its length, you can use a larger, flatter pry bar to pry it further away from the wall and make it easier to remove.
If you can’t pull the molding off the wall easily, use a pry bar or the back of your hammer in one hand to get more leverage while you pull on the molding with the other hand.
End cutting pliers are also known as nippers, end cutters, or end cutting pincers.
Pieces of paint or caulking can make reinstallation of the molding more difficult because it won’t sit flat against the wall and ceiling. You will also be able to see if there is any damage to the molding after you scrape away the excess paint and caulking.
Use multiple clamps if there is a long split in the molding. Aim for 1 clamp every 10–12 in (25–30 cm) or so.
