how to remove laminate from old workbench

[rzims]

Hey everyone,
I've got an old workbench built by the previous homeowner...probably 40-50 years or so ago...
It's a funky old bench with a plywood top that has laminate glued on.

Not sure what he used to attach it, but it's old, ugly and has chips and chunks missing and refuses to come off....

Just wondering if any of you have ideas or suggestions....

Thanks in advance

 

[The Cobbler]

try heating it up ( warm the glue) and use a thin putty knife to get between the laminate & plywood.
I would try a propane torch

you will still have glue residue you will have to deal with. maybe just go overtop with a new pc and be done?

 

[Erampu]

Remove the entire top, turn it over and attach it upside down.

 

[rzims]

Remove the entire top, turn it over and attach it upside down.

That's actually a really good idea!

 

[rzims]

try heating it up ( warm the glue) and use a thin putty knife to get between the laminate & plywood.
I would try a propane torch

you will still have glue residue you will have to deal with. maybe just go overtop with a new pc and be done?

My goal was just to put a new piece of laminate on there so the residue shouldn't be a problem....I'll borrow the heat gun from work and see if that does it.
Otherwise, I like the flip it over idea...

 

[CoogarXR]

Remove the entire top, turn it over and attach it upside down.

That's what I was gonna say too!

 

[stingry]

lacquer thinner will generally dissolve the old solvent based contact cement. Start at a corner and peel it up, spraying lacquer thinner on the glue as you peel it back.

Cheers
Steve

 

[KCarGuy]

My Office Desk is an Old 1940's Quarter-sawn Oak Desk that had dozens of Coats of Paint on it, as well as an Ugly Green Laminate Top.

I warmed the top with a Heat Gun and It came off fairly Easy.
Then let the glue residue cool back down and harden.
Then Sanded that off.

(the rest I coated with stripper to remove...Under all that was a Nicely Grained Oak)

 

[Franz1.0©]

Flat iron works very well, and most women will willingly donate one to you since "nobody" irons any more.

 

[jetnow1]

Be sure to have a ventilated area when doing this, those old solvents were pretty nasty
stuff.

 

[rzims]

Be sure to have a ventilated area when doing this, those old solvents were pretty nasty
stuff.

good point!

 

[Franz1.0©]

You theeenkkk those old solvents that had to evaporate out for the glue to cure might be all gone by now?

 

[forAK]

You theeenkkk those old solvents that had to evaporate out for the glue to cure might be all gone by now?

LOL!