I want to remove a 2x4 off my wall that has been put on with a nail gun and has several layers of paint.?

I am putting up an elfa system and have run into a dead end since I don't know how to remove this piece that currently holds up a shelfI want to remove a 2x4 off my wall that has been put on with a nail gun and has several layers of paint.?
cut around the 2x4 with a knife so you don't rip off the drywall paper and pull it off with a prybarI want to remove a 2x4 off my wall that has been put on with a nail gun and has several layers of paint.?
There exists a little tool called a nail puller, or a cats claw. It looks like a small crowbar. One end is rounded and has a claw that can easily be driven under the head of the nail. With this tool you can have that off in about thirty seconds. Any of your friends that work in construction will be familiar with this tool (especially ones who make a lot of mistakes!)
What Simon means is to use the knife to ';score'; the corners at the edge of the 2x4 where it meets the painted wall surface. If you don't paint will peel off the wall as you pry it off.


Use the ';cat's paw'; as described to dig in around the nails and pry them up as much as you can. Finish prying the nails out with a crow bar. If you're not used to using these tools, use gloves.