Laminex removal

[John]

Hi everyone,

Have recently been helping dad with his van and we've come up against a resonably big piece of laminex ( about 6ft long ) that has been stuck to the wall of the van as a splash back.

As the van is late 50's ( we think ) and had a re-modelling in the 70's, the laminex doesn't suit its third re-modelling; back to the 50's style.

Has anyone got any idea's of how we can remove it??

Also, I know that its rare and hard to find ( as I found out re-building my first van) but dad's van has the original laminex on the table and a small bench-top located on top of the fridge. It's a yellow basket-weave which ideally we would love to match...... If anyone has any leads, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[Franklin1]

Hi John,
Removing old laminex is a very time-consuming task, and more likely to end in tears than smiles.
If you are intending to have the "new" splashback the same size as the old one, then you don't need to remove the laminex. You can glue another sheet of laminex over the old one. You need to roughen up the surface of the old laminex (belt sander or disc sander with coarse sandpaper fitted). Glue using laminex adhesive as if you were putting it on timber (same process). Make sure all metal strips around splashback will be able to accommodate the additional thickness (or that you will be able to live with the look when they are refitted).
If you were hoping to have the splashback reduced in size, and the laminex is stuck to the inside of the ply wall, then you might like to re-read my first paragraph above , and then give some serious thought to my second paragraph ;D .

cheers,
Al.

[raym]

Hi John To remove laminate refer to my post under laminate (page 7) of techinical stuff raym

[John]

Raym,

BRILLIANT!!!!

Thanks so much. I'll pass on this info to Dad. It'll make his day, or make him cry as Franklin1 has pointed out!! ;D

I'll let you know how we get on.

Thank you again.

John