Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, which=
is damaged by hand sanding.=20
The owner (unknowing DIYer) stripped and sanded (prepped) the lower woodwor=
k, for refinishing, then realized the top can't be as easily prepped, is di=
fferent material, when trying to sand it. I suspect the melamine(?), its=
elf, can't be easily removed, so his alternative may be to stain and/or pai=
nt.=20
Might there be a relatively easy way to remove this topping, itself, to ins=
tall a new countertop covering?
Can a new wooden top, or veneer, be glued onto the existing dresser top?
Might a counter top, as this, able to be stained and/or painted, and get a =
good adhesion? If so, what might be a procedure (and/or product?) for prep=
? =20
Might a solvent, only, be required for prep.... I'm thinking, unlikely?
Best guesses are welcome, since I don't know, exactly, what material this t=
op is.
Thanks.
Sonny
On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 12:26:45 PM UTC-7, dpb wrote:
> On 09/08/2016 10:13 AM, Sonny wrote:
> > The factory installed top seems to have some thickness, to it, not thin like formica. ...
>
> Looks like a laminate to me; perhaps even the LH corner there has
> separated just a tad, maybe...
>
> As you noted, heat _might_ lift it; presuming from indicated age it's
> solvent- not water-based contact cement, lacquer thinner, etc., is
> suitable solvent
If the laminate was a retrofit, heat the laminate (an iron will work) and it
might just melt some hide glue and pull the laminate and top layer of
veneer off (that top veneer was likely damaged before the laminate was applied).
Heat is enough, won't require a solvent.
On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:03:44 AM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
> Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, whi=
ch is damaged by hand sanding.=20
>=20
> The owner (unknowing DIYer) stripped and sanded (prepped) the lower woodw=
ork, for refinishing, then realized the top can't be as easily prepped, is =
different material, when trying to sand it. I suspect the melamine(?), i=
tself, can't be easily removed, so his alternative may be to stain and/or p=
aint.=20
>=20
> Might there be a relatively easy way to remove this topping, itself, to i=
nstall a new countertop covering?
>=20
> Can a new wooden top, or veneer, be glued onto the existing dresser top?
>=20
> Might a counter top, as this, able to be stained and/or painted, and get =
a good adhesion? If so, what might be a procedure (and/or product?) for pr=
ep? =20
>=20
> Might a solvent, only, be required for prep.... I'm thinking, unlikely?
>=20
> Best guesses are welcome, since I don't know, exactly, what material this=
top is.
>=20
> Thanks.
> Sonny
Did you check out the "Rust removal / next generation taser" thread? ;-)
On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 12:04:58 PM UTC-5, Leon wrote:
>=20
> That top certainly looks like plastic laminate to me. If it has been=20
> sanded and you have low spots it might cause an adhesion problem,=20
> normally contact cement will fill slightly low spots but if it was=20
> sanded to bare, what ever is underneath and especially along the edges,=
=20
> you might not get good results with adding a laminate on top of the=20
> existing.
>=20
> You might try a heat gun to remove the top but it might be less work to=
=20
> simply put a real wood top on the piece.
I'm coaching/advising from long distance. I don't have the dresser in fron=
t of me.
The owner, Joe, sanded a small spot, when he realized it couldn't be sanded=
, as wood is. The sanding removed a slight amount of the colored woodgrai=
n-look, of the coloring, so only a slight white bare spot is showing, but i=
t's apparent. He had hope to stain the area, to re-match the original colo=
r/grain.
I had wondered if heat might allow its lifting, to accommodate applying a v=
eneer or other wood top.
dpb asks-
> Is it possible to just remove the top and replace it with new material=20
entirely?=20
He's thought of that, but admitted he can't see how, since he's not handy e=
nough to know what to look for, or where.=20
Thanks.
Sonny
On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 10:03:44 AM UTC-5, Sonny wrote:
> Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, which is damaged by hand sanding.
Pic - https://www.flickr.com/photos/43836144@N04/28920730153/in/dateposted-public/
The factory installed top seems to have some thickness, to it, not thin like formica. The lower trim and carcass is prepped for refinishing.
Sonny
On 9/8/2016 10:13 AM, Sonny wrote:
> On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 10:03:44 AM UTC-5, Sonny wrote:
>> Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, which is damaged by hand sanding.
>
> Pic - https://www.flickr.com/photos/43836144@N04/28920730153/in/dateposted-public/
>
> The factory installed top seems to have some thickness, to it, not thin like formica. The lower trim and carcass is prepped for refinishing.
>
> Sonny
>
That top certainly looks like plastic laminate to me. If it has been
sanded and you have low spots it might cause an adhesion problem,
normally contact cement will fill slightly low spots but if it was
sanded to bare, what ever is underneath and especially along the edges,
you might not get good results with adding a laminate on top of the
existing.
You might try a heat gun to remove the top but it might be less work to
simply put a real wood top on the piece.
On 09/08/2016 10:03 AM, Sonny wrote:
> Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top,
> which is damaged by hand sanding.
>
...
> melamine(?), itself, can't be easily removed, so his alternative may be
> to stain and/or paint.
Staining won't work worth a hooey; there's no porosity to speak of to
accept it. Paint is always a possibility, yes...
> Might there be a relatively easy way to remove this topping, itself,
> to install a new countertop covering?
Depends on the working definition of "relatively"... :) Short answer
w/o seeing the piece, is probably not for the apparently as novice an
individual as talking about here...
> Can a new wooden top, or veneer, be glued onto the existing dresser
> top?
"Can", sure...question is one of who's got the expertise in the subject
population of candidates to do it is the likely major issue...
> Might a counter top, as this, able to be stained and/or painted, and
get a good adhesion? If so, what might be a procedure (and/or product?)
for prep?
Just rough it up good and any primer/paint combo will likely be just fine.
It's not terribly difficult to lay new laminate over old but do need a
little handy-ness.
Is it possible to just remove the top and replace it with new material
entirely?
> Might a solvent, only, be required for prep.... I'm thinking,
> unlikely?
>
> Best guesses are welcome, since I don't know, exactly, what material this top is.
>
> Thanks.
> Sonny
>
"Sonny" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, which
is damaged by hand sanding.
The owner (unknowing DIYer) stripped and sanded (prepped) the lower
woodwork, for refinishing, then realized the top can't be as easily prepped,
is different material, when trying to sand it. I suspect the melamine(?),
itself, can't be easily removed, so his alternative may be to stain and/or
paint.
Stain won't work, paint could.
--------------------------------
Might there be a relatively easy way to remove this topping, itself, to
install a new countertop covering?
Paint thinner will soften/clean up contact cement (the regular type at
least, don't know about the waterborn). However, you need to get the
thinner between the laminate and the substrate; heating it will soften
enough to get a putty knife in at a corner, add thinner, wait a bit, pry
some more, add more thinner, etc.
----------------------------
Can a new wooden top, or veneer, be glued onto the existing dresser top?
Wood, sure but you'd do better to sdrew it on from inside the cabinet. If
that is done, there would be laminate edges showing, just add thin trim to
cover.
Veneer is possible too IF the laminate is solidly afixed. You would still
have the laminate edge showing, same cure as for solid wood except it would
be better to apply the trim first, trim flush to laminate top then apply
veneer. Here's a reliable source for veneer...
http://www.constantines.com/veneer.aspx
Some is available in large sheets, no need to glue up individual pieces.
-------------------------------------
Might a counter top, as this, able to be stained and/or painted, and get a
good adhesion? If so, what might be a procedure (and/or product?) for prep?
Sand, prime, sand, paint
--------------------------------
Best guesses are welcome, since I don't know, exactly, what material this
top is.
Looks like plain old laminate. It comes in various thicknesses.
----------------------------------
On 09/08/2016 10:13 AM, Sonny wrote:
...
> Pic - https://www.flickr.com/photos/43836144@N04/28920730153/in/dateposted-public/
>
> The factory installed top seems to have some thickness, to it, not thin like formica. ...
Looks like a laminate to me; perhaps even the LH corner there has
separated just a tad, maybe...
As you noted, heat _might_ lift it; presuming from indicated age it's
solvent- not water-based contact cement, lacquer thinner, etc., is
suitable solvent (albeit with appropriate cautionary words on volatile
hydrocarbons...). One separates an edge with the putty knife, work a
little solvent in and let it wick and soften, gain a little more--repeat.
Doesn't sound as though the person in question is up to the task, though???
The little of the rest of the chest showing looks like pretty nice
walnut, maybe...it looks like replacing the top with a sold one would be
the way to really finish off the piece if were trying to make something
of it...
I would try a heat gun and a stiff narrow putty knife.
Then something to dissolve as much of the glue as possible, and finally sand
to recoat as practical.
"Sonny" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top, which
is damaged by hand sanding.
The owner (unknowing DIYer) stripped and sanded (prepped) the lower
woodwork, for refinishing, then realized the top can't be as easily prepped,
is different material, when trying to sand it. I suspect the melamine(?),
itself, can't be easily removed, so his alternative may be to stain and/or
paint.
Might there be a relatively easy way to remove this topping, itself, to
install a new countertop covering?
Can a new wooden top, or veneer, be glued onto the existing dresser top?
Might a counter top, as this, able to be stained and/or painted, and get a
good adhesion? If so, what might be a procedure (and/or product?) for prep?
Might a solvent, only, be required for prep.... I'm thinking, unlikely?
Best guesses are welcome, since I don't know, exactly, what material this
top is.
Thanks.
Sonny
"dadiOH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Sonny" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Re: 60s era dresser with a melamine-type top, or a formica-type top,
> which is damaged by hand sanding.
Looking at the photo again, I'm thinking the laminate was added after the
dresser was made. The reason I think that is that it - laminate - is above
the wood edge trim and I can't imagine any manufacturer doing that. If that
IS the case I would definitely be removing the veneer hoping that whatever
is under it is as nice as the wood on the rest of the piece/
On 09/10/2016 7:04 PM, whit3rd wrote:
...
> If the laminate was a retrofit, heat the laminate (an iron will work) and it
> might just melt some hide glue and pull the laminate and top layer of
> veneer off (that top veneer was likely damaged before the laminate was applied).
> Heat is enough, won't require a solvent.
I'd guess if that were so, the likelihood a commercial manufacturer used
hide glue to be slim to none...nothing lost in the attempt, granted, but
I'd think it highly unlikely to be successful.