How To Remove Laminate From Wood Cabinets

Laminate countertops are common within many homes and offices.

How to remove laminate from wood cabinets.

Remove the laminate covering. The care you take in removing the formica will depend on whether you plan on re using it elsewhere. Removing laminate is a breeze with a heat gun and some safety materials. These thin pieces of plastic wood or composite material can provide long term protection with the proper care.

Because veneer isn t a true wood it can t be sanded and repaired like thicker. The steam is not forgiving. Removing the formica laminate from kitchen cabinets is an easy process that is labor intensive. Some mdf cabinets have a plastic coating and removing a plastic coating from kitchen cabinets is usually easier than removing a wood laminate.

You might not need to remove and open them all but it makes removing the countertop easier to have clear access. Use hammer to knock the back to remove laminate from the wood. The wide variety of colors provides a surface that enhances the. Place the wet rag on the area you want to remove.

Unscrew the board from the wall. The easiest tutorial i ve ever done. How to remove a section of glued laminate floor veneer is a thin facing used to change the look of cabinets. First remove the drawers and open your cabinets.

These will only be necessary if you are removing a rather large section of mica and if you are trying to save the piece. Some type of wood strips. To ensure a long life for your laminated surfaces remove and replace the laminate periodically. The best way to do it is to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive and pull the laminate off in sections starting with the edging.

It s best to avoid any exposed wood so you do not damage that part of the furniture. I would suggest protecting those areas with dry rag. To ensure your paint stain or adhesive binds well to the wood you ll need to remove the thin layer of old adhesive still stuck to the wood. However both are doable with patience and a steady supply of heat.

When you remove formica from cabinets depending upon the size of the piece it may be necessary to place a dowel rod or strip of wood about 3 4 x 3 4 thick between the board and the laminate. Once the laminate melamine or thermofoil layer has been removed the cabinet door needs a little more preparation before it can be painted stained or finished with a new covering. If the laminate will be scrapped then you don t need to worry about it coming off in parts. Laminate is a thin covering that surrounds and protects a large wooden core from humidity sunlight and water damage.

I learned this lesson the hard way near the sides.