Glasst has come up with an unusual solution for DIYers struggling to commit to a new wall color. Its Unpaint is a paint alternative that can be applied using standard tools like brushes, rollers, or even sprayers, but not permanently. When it dries, the company claims the paint can be easily peeled off instead of requiring laborious sanding or solvents to remove it.
Unpaint uses the Colombian-based company’s proprietary Glasstommer technology, which allows a quickly applied liquid material to become a thin removable film. Glasst considers the exact makeup of the material a trade secret but does divulge that it contains a “biodegradable elastic component” that “dries to create a film that removes as easily as peeling an adhesive.”
The Glasstommer technology was originally developed as an easier way to protect delicate surfaces such as windows, floor tiles, or even countertops from damage during construction or renovations. Instead of requiring surfaces to be painstakingly covered with paper and tape, Glasst’s Universal Protective Coating can be just quickly sprayed on.
Glasst says its Unpaint is just as easy to use, although the company does recommend applying two to three coats with up to an hour of drying time after each one for the best results. It takes about 24 hours for the material to fully dry, at which point it can be removed by grabbing a small area with a pinch and then peeling it off in a similar fashion to the protective plastic applied to new electronics.
The removable paint does come with some tradeoffs. It’s not as durable as regular paint and is more prone to being easily scratched, and Glasst recommends testing its Unpaint on a small area to ensure it adheres properly, can be easily removed once dry, and doesn’t leave a colored stain behind.
It’s also not a permanent finish. Glasst says the Unpaint material will naturally biodegrade after a few years when peeled off and discarded. But that process starts about 12 months after application, so the company doesn’t recommend leaving it on surfaces for longer than a year; otherwise, it could become more difficult to cleanly remove.
The company suggests its Unpaint could be a great solution for renters who want to customize a home or apartment without having to repaint when they move out or for those who really commit to holiday decorating and want a room color-matched to their seasonal decor.
Unpaint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including cement, marble, wood, metal, glass, granite, brick, stucco, and even some fabrics if you want your leather sofa to match your freshly painted walls.
The product is already available in Colombia, but Glasst is now selling its Unpaint in the US. A quart costs $29.98, while a full gallon is $59.98. That’s more expensive than a can of basic indoor paint, but it’s also not the most expensive way to finish a wall.
