Glasst has developed an unusual solution for DIYers who are struggling to come up with a new wall color. Its Unpaint is an alternative paint that can be applied with standard tools such as brushes, rollers, or even sprayers, but is not permanent. Once it dries, the company claims the paint can be easily removed rather than requiring laborious sanding or solvents to remove it.
Unpaint uses the Colombia-based company’s proprietary Glasstommer technology, which allows the quickly applied liquid material to become a thin removable film. Glasst considers the exact makeup of the material a trade secret but has revealed that it contains a “biodegradable elastic component” that “dries to create a film as easy as peeling glue.”
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 renovation. Instead of requiring surfaces to be carefully covered with paper and tape, Glasst’s Universal Protective Coating can be quickly sprayed on.
Glasst says its Unpaint is just as easy to use, although the company recommends applying two to three coats with up to an hour’s drying time after each for best results. It takes about 24 hours for the material to dry completely, at which point it can be removed by holding a small area with a pinch and then peeling it off in a similar way to the protective plastic applied to the new electronics.
Removable paint has some tradeoffs. It’s not as durable as regular paint and scratches more easily, and Glasst recommends testing its Unpaint on a small area to make sure it adheres well, comes off easily when dry, and doesn’t leave a colored stain .
It is also not a permanent ending. Glasst said the Unpaint material will naturally decompose after a few years when peeled off and thrown away. 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 may be more difficult to cleanly remove.
The company suggests that its Unpaint could be a great solution for renters who want to customize a house or apartment without having to repaint when they move in or for those who are really committed to holiday decorating and want a room color which matches their contemporary decor.
Unpaint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, marble, wood, metal, glass, granite, brick, stucco, and even some fabrics if you want your leather sofa to match your newly 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 interior paint, but it’s also not the most expensive way to finish a wall.
