How to Remove a Monkey Hook
It comes out the way it went in: turn it back and slide it out along its curve.
The shaft sits behind the drywall, so pulling straight out tears the board. Follow the curve instead.
- 1
Lift the piece off
Take the picture or mirror off the cradle so there is no load on the hook.
- 2
Reverse the turn
Rotate the cradle back down toward the angle the hook went in at, so the shaft lines up with the hole.
- 3
Slide it out
Draw the hook out along its curve. Do not pull straight out: the shaft is behind the wall.
- 4
Fill or reuse
A dab of filler hides the small hole. The hook itself can go into another spot.
If it will not come out
The hook turns but will not slide out
The shaft has to follow its curve. Turn the cradle down a little further and pull gently along the arc, not straight toward you.
The hole is bigger than I wanted
Fill it with a little spackle or joint compound, let it dry, sand it flat and touch up the paint. A small hook hole usually needs only a dab.
Can I reuse the hook?
Yes. A hook that came out straight can go into another spot. If the shaft is bent, use a new one.
