Removing the Formica laminate from kitchen cabinets is an easy process that is labor intensive. The care you take in removing the Formica will depend on whether you plan on re-using it elsewhere. If the laminate will be scrapped, then you don't need to worry about it coming off in parts.
Take a thin putty knife or spackle knife and work it into the crack where the formica meets the wood. Once you have the knife inserted a little pour a little lacquer thinner into the crack. The lacquer thinner will soften the adhesive and you can start working the knife in deeper a little at a time.
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. Some MDF cabinets have a plastic coating, and removing a plastic coating from kitchen cabinets is usually easier than removing a wood laminate.
Refacing Formica cabinets is most easily done by adding a new fresh layer of Formica laminate over the old. This is an easy, cost-effective method of giving your kitchen a fresh look without doing a lot to the rest of the room. In some cases you will need to remove old Formica.
The truth is, laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are basically the same; laminate is the material while Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both brands come in a wide range of colors and patterns and are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters.
Insert the end of the putty knife under the laminate. Press into the adhesive to peel more laminate away from the particle board surface. Spritz the adhesive with acetone and allow it to sit on the adhesive for 60 seconds. Repeat the process until the laminate is totally removed.
Position a heat gun along the edge of the cabinet base to soften the glue. Wedge a thin piece of wood between the veneer and substrate every 3 to 4 inches along the edge. Continue to heat the glue, wedge in the wood and lift the veneer until you've removed all the veneer from the cabinet surface.
To remove it, use a heat gun to apply heat to the laminate along one edge of the table. (If there is a point where the laminate is starting to peel away from the wood, begin there.) The heat softens the glue, making it more pliable. Pry the laminate away from the wood with a putty knife or 5-in-1 painter's tool.
Removing a laminate kitchen countertop is relatively easy because it's held onto the cabinets with a combination of adhesive and screws. Most laminate countertops use silicone adhesive. Some countertop installations, such as granite, will use an epoxy or construction adhesive like liquid nails.
If you have Formica counters, but have decided that you prefer a new design, you can glue down new sheets of this trademarked laminate over the existing surface to give your kitchen a brand new look. The easiest way to install new Formica is with a Formica sheet kit.
A reciprocating saw will cut through your backsplash just as easily as it cuts through your countertops. Fortunately, you can remove your current countertops without using a reciprocating saw. This method ensures that you won't accidentally damage your backsplash with a reciprocating saw's spinning blades.
Laminate Cabinets
This process leaves a completely smooth surface that does not show any seams. The lack of seams around the door's joints can be a clear indication that your cabinet doors are a laminate material.
Place a heated iron on the veneer next to the putty knife edge and move it around in a circular motion. Put gentle pressure on the putty knife until the glue begins to heat. Push the putty knife into the heated glue until you meet resistance, lifting the veneer up and away as you go.
Use a Blow Dryer
Start by cutting the edges of the lamination and use the blow dryer to blow warm air on to the lamination. Once the lamination is heated and the air is pushing between the paper and plastic, the edges of the lamination will peel away from each other.
Stir your paint, and apply a thin, even coat to your Formica using a clean foam roller or pad. Brushes aren't the best choice for painting over Formica; they're likely to leave stroke marks. If painting cabinets, work from the top down; if painting a counter, start at the back and work your way forward.
You've asked the question, “can you paint Formica?” You've learned the answer is yes! The next part may be the most exciting – choosing your Formica paint color. Make sure to choose a semi-gloss or high-gloss enamel paint.
In short, you can't. Sanding the laminate surfaces to “scuff” the finish and provide a surface for the primer to adhere to is a critical step in the process. But first, remove the doors, drawers and hardware. Then, take time to look over the cabinets and repair any spots where the laminate is coming loose.
Paint the primer on the doors and laminate cabinet frames with a dense, foam roller. Apply the paint in long, even, vertical strokes for best finish results. When the first coat of primer is dry, lightly sand with 150-grit sandpaper to rough the surfaces for an additional coat of primer.