Remove Excess Tile Adhesive

boards to bridge tub and serve as a platform
putty knives
screwdriver
plastic paint stir stick
paintbrush
dust mask
orbital sander
sandpaper
carbide scrapers
cardboard
masking tape
paint
spackle

1. Place a couple of 1x12 boards over the tub to serve as a platform so you'll have a place to stand and work (figure A).

2. Cover the tiles with cardboard and masking tape to protect from scratching while you chip away at the mastic (figure B). This will also guard against paint splashes when you repaint the wall.

3. A scraper with a carbide cutter on the end will make short work of the dried mastic (figure C). Hold it with both hands to maintain control, as the cutter will easily cut through the drywall.

4. Carefully scrape away as much mastic as possible with the scraper, then finish smoothing the wall with the orbital sander. Remove any fixtures such as shower curtain brackets that may be in the way. Put on the dust mask and start sanding, using a light touch to avoid cutting into the drywall (figure D).

5. Fill up scratches with spackle to create a smooth, even surface that matches the rest of the wall. Let dry then sand and apply another coat of spackle if necessary.

6. Paint the wall and reattach any fixtures.