Short of committing to a more costly replacement of outdated kitchen storage repainting laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn the eyesore into eye catching modern cabinetry.
Remove laminate kitchen cabinets.
If you re replacing with a stone countertop remove the sub top by removing the screws images 1 3.
However both are doable with patience and a steady supply of heat.
The care you take in removing the formica will depend on whether you plan on re using it elsewhere.
If the hinges are mounted on the inside you can remove the laminate without disassembling the cabinets.
If the laminate will be scrapped then you don t need to worry about it coming off in parts.
Use the paint scraper to remove the remaining silicone adhesive from the top edge of the cabinets.
With a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting blow hot air across the edge of the laminate and continue across the entire cabinet in a sweeping motion.
Some mdf cabinets have a plastic coating and removing a plastic coating from kitchen cabinets is usually easier than removing a wood laminate.
Work slowly around the counter and use only the minimum amount of force needed to remove the adhesive in order to avoid damaging the base cabinets.
Remove the doors from the cabinets to make it easier to access the veneers.
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.
Underneath there should be a board screwed into the wall.
Veneer is a thin facing used to change the look of cabinets.
Now you re ready to install new kitchen countertops.
Laminate backsplashes can be removed at this time as well.
How to remove veneer facing from cabinets.
To start remove any exterior hardware from the kitchen cabinets.
If you re replacing with another laminate countertop keep the sub top attached.
Because veneer isn t a true wood it can t be sanded and repaired like thicker hardwoods.
Ray hayden here showing you how i am able to remove the plastic melamine material from my mdf medium density fiberboard cabinet doors in the kitchen of my.
Remove the door hinges and handles with a screwdriver.