Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Oct 08, 2005 05:10pm | #1

   If the glue is older solvent style contact, acetone or lacquer thinner will dissolve it. These are volatile chemicals, so protect yourself and dispose of rags properly. It will take some wetting to activate the glue. I don't know if a furniture stripper with methylene chloride would work. A coarse belt sander is another option if you are careful, but it will ruin a few belts. You could also roll out a new glue surface which will activate the old glue and you can scrape when all is still wet. This would probably be the least invasive for the rest of the piece. Make sure you use solvent based, not water based contact.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Oct 08, 2005 06:39pm | #2

   Old solvent based contact cement is very, very difficult to remove.  The chemicals that soften it (acetone is one) may also damage the adhesive used to make the plywood substrate.  Of course, agressive sanding will be problematic as it gets gummy when heated by the sanding and you run the risk of sanding through veneers.

   What do you plan to do with the item?  If you are going to apply new formica, you can generally just apply a new coat of solvent based contact cement and it will work fine.

   Howie.........
1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 08, 2005 10:21pm | #3

   removing contact adhesiveBelt sander and a few Belts?

3. 
   UnclePaul | Oct 10, 2005 03:13am | #4

   Yes, lacquer thinner should remove the adhesive. It evaporates quickly so it will probably take a lot of material to get there. Paint/varnish remover that contains methylene chloride will work too. There are products made specifically for removing contact. If memory serves, Sta-Put was the brand we used. A cabinet supply company that sells contact would have some version of it.  All of this stuff is incredibly nasty so please use caution.

   A belt sander would be my very last option.

4. 
   dukeone | Oct 10, 2005 04:53am | #5

   Dan: I've had good luck with all kinds of glue removal work using 3M spray "Adhesive Remover". It is also not as toxic(supposedly)as other solvents.

   Duke

   Kenneth Duke Masters
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5. 
   DanielW | Oct 10, 2005 03:50pm | #6

   Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Laquer thinner won out, although if i could find it i would have loved to try 3m adhesive remover. back to the laq thinner, i tried a card scraper, a scotch brite pad and steel wool. all of them gummed up rapidly and would not get all of the adhesive off. while cleaning the card scraper i notice i could roll the gummy adhesive up easily so i ended up wetting the adhesive and using my bare hadn to roll the adhesive off the face of the veneer. not good for me physically i know but it sure was effective.