[VAC] Re: Table laminate surface renewal

["tmeeker" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

A heat gun should soften the glue enough so that you'd be able to get a
putty knife under it somewhere around the edge.

3M makes a good product for removing contact cement glue which is most
likely what holds that old Formica to the wooden table top.

Once you have the old Formica removed you need to use the heat gun again
along with the putty knife (round the corners of the putty knife to keep
from gouging the wood!) to continue removing the old adhesive.

Of course you could also use the 3M product as well but it won't entirely
remove old glue.  From there on out it will take sanding with a belt sander
so you can remove material faster than a pad sander.  Be careful not to keep
the belt sander in one place too long or you will make a depression and the
table top will no longer be flat.

Formica can be purchased at Home Depot but it won't be *original*.  For an
exact replacement you may want to see if Airstream in Ohio can help you here
or at least try and give you the old "part no." for the people who
originally made the Formica.

Contact cement applied to both sides which is then allowed to dry *before*
putting the two pieces together is next.  Use a wide flat wooden roller to
smooth out the Formica.  Smooth out the Formica with the roller as you
slowly attach it to the wood top.

The new Formica piece should be cut "almost" to size with a bit of overhang
"just in case" you don't get it perfectly centered.  A router with a small
radius bit will then finish off the job.

If your table needs a new formica edge also, you didn't say, then you may
want to check with a cabinet shop to ask their advice about which to put on
first; the new Formica top or the edging.

Hope this helps.

Tom - WBCCI #5303