Removing the laminate from professionally refaced kitchen cabinets

11 years ago

Our kitchen was remodeled sometime in the late 1980s and the original solid wood cabinets on the perimeter walls were refaced with laminate. I would like to get back down to the wood and I've read about peeling laminate off of cabinets and how easy it is, but my cabinets were professionally refaced and most likely top-of-the-line for that era. The cabinets aren't peeling now and there aren't any seams to start to pick at. In effort to cut costs on a large kitchen remodel, I'd love to DIY removal of the laminate on the cabinets and then have them professionally painted for a fresh look. But I'm concerned about how to begin or if I'm just kidding myself. Thoughts???

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PRO

Taylor's Cabinets & Interiors

11 years ago

If you can manage to get the laminate off, you'll have to deal with all the contact cement. So it will have to be sanded/stripped back to wood. If you have the time and the patience you could try, but it's doubtful you'd end up with anything.

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Comments (6)

Errant_gw
11 years ago
I haven't had to do it, but I imagine a heat gun would do the trick.
nosoccermom
11 years ago
You know if the laminate is really solidly attached, I'd consider painting the laminate.
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User
11 years ago
You're not going to end up with anything usable if you peel them. Either live with as is and save more money, or paint them as is for a short term fix while you save more money.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
11 years ago
Lacquer thinner will remove the plastic laminate and adhesive, but is very flammable and messy. Turn off all pilot lights, sources of ignition, open all the doors and windows, have a fire extinguisher handy and your insurance paid up.
PRO
Taylor's Cabinets & Interiors
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
If you use thinner, you need something to protect the floor if it's anything other than a ceramic tile, and even then it's a good idea to put down something.

Also if you're going to work with thinner, make sure you use the right kind of gloves. If the thinner gets trapped against skin, it may cause a nasty burn.