Replacing Formica.

[Porthandbuoy]

As part of Ladybird’s refit I’ve been looking at the drop-leaf table in the saloon. It’s covered in quaint 1960’s blue Formica, some of which is lifting at the corners.
How feasible would it be to strip off the Formica and replace it with some nice teak veneer? Anyone tried it successfully?

 

[philmarks]

I used to have a Jeanneau Sunfizz with horrible orange formica doors in the galley. I removed all the trim and covered the surfaces with Fablon of a more tasteful (IMO) hue/pattern. Refitted the trims, worked a treat. Easy and inexpensive.

 

[Catalina36]

A hot iron should soften 1960's contact adhesive enough to get if off. Try it on a corner and slide a blade under it.

 

[Elessar]

As part of Ladybird’s refit I’ve been looking at the drop-leaf table in the saloon. It’s covered in quaint 1960’s blue Formica, some of which is lifting at the corners.
How feasible would it be to strip off the Formica and replace it with some nice teak veneer? Anyone tried it successfully?

I got the veneer from robbins and put it on top of the Formica with evo stic.
youd Never know.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I've seen the veneering results in Elessar's boat, if anything it looks better than the original. Very professional, so this is definitely doable.

If you want to strip the formica it'll have to come off cleanly, veneer is pretty unforgiving of lumps and holes in the substrate.

 

[[163233]]

How do you do the edges where two veneers meet up against each other?

 

[Elessar]

How do you do the edges where two veneers meet up against each other?

Sand and varnish. Untreated ply inside.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

How do you do the edges where two veneers meet up against each other?

Could use edge banding for the rim. Need a trimming tool too.

 

[[163233]]

Sand and varnish. Untreated ply inside.
View attachment 91726

Wow very tidy..

I was actually thinking where you have a large flat surface such that one veneer won't cover the entire thing. Like a table top.
Sorry I'm not being very clear.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Butt joint between the sheets of veneer, you need a razor sharp trimming tool and a straight edge.

 

[Elessar]

Wow very tidy..

I was actually thinking where you have a large flat surface such that one veneer won't cover the entire thing. Like a table top.
Sorry I'm not being very clear.

the sheets from robbins are huge - no joins needed.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

the sheets from robbins are huge - no joins needed.

Well we don't know how big the OP's table is...

 

[Rappey]

I laid formica over formica but used an angle grinder with an abrasive disc to degloss and rough up the old to allow the contact adhesive to get a good grip.
Its possible to get formica sheet up to 3200 x 1500mm Op,s table would be pretty huge to need a join.

 

[Elessar]

t

Well we don't know how big the OP's table is...

true i made an assumption
but 2440x1220mm is big........

 

[[163233]]

true i made an assumption
but 2440x1220mm is big........

Might just do it....

 

[Porthandbuoy]

t

true i made an assumption
but 2440x1220mm is big........

Might just do it....

Several time over probably.

Some good advice folks, thanks. I won’t be laying veneer over the Formica as it’s lifting in places. I’ll try getting it off with a hot iron and take it from there.

 

[Elessar]

Several time over probably.

Some good advice folks, thanks. I won’t be laying veneer over the Formica as it’s lifting in places. I’ll try getting it off with a hot iron and take it from there.

ok the veneer is very thin and will show even small imperfections. So you may need to lay 4mm ply where you took the formica off if it's bumpy.