How To Remove Molding From Oak Kitchen Cabinets

By  Michael Logan

Things Needed

  • Painters tape

  • Stiff 1-inch putty knife

  • Flexible 1-inch putty knife

  • 9-inch pry bar

  • Claw hammer

  • Medium channel lock

  • Small, thin wood-block scrap

  • Colored wood putty

  • Colored wax crayon

  • Safety glasses

  • Dust mask

  • Small hack saw (optional)

Tip

If you plan to reuse the molding and it has nails in it, don't use a hammer to pull them out. You'll only damage them more. Instead, use the channel lock to pull them through the back of the wood molding.

The three main tools are the two putty knives and the pry bar. Don't use screwdrivers or other tools meant for other tasks. If you're gentle and persistent, you will get it off. It just takes patience.

Sometimes, there is no way to pry a piece out intact. Pry the middle out and hold it out with the pry bar as you carefully cut into it with a hand saw. It could break suddenly so be aware and ready for that.

Use painters tape to protect surfaces from scratches and gouges.

Warning

Always wear safety glasses when performing demolition. A nail could pop loose and puncture your eye.

Always wear a dust mask if the possibility of loosening lead paint exists.

If you need to remove the molding from oak cabinets, you'll find that oak is a tough wood and doesn't give easily. Chances are, the molding has been there for a number of years and is solidly in place. Patience, care and a little hard work will get the molding removed without damaging your cabinets.

Step 1

Find a starting place near the end of a piece of molding. Insert the flexible putty knife between the molding and the cabinet and try to gently pry the molding away. Once you open a little gap, switch to the stiff putty knife and work your way along.

Step 2

Use the small pry bar to lever the molding away from the cabinet. Be gentle, but firm. Don't pry against the cabinet directly, use the small block between the bar and the cabinet. Continue until the piece pops free. Gently remove the entire piece.

Step 3

Remove any nails left in the cabinet. Standard finish nails can be removed with a claw hammer and wooden block to lever against. For pin nails or nails from a finish nailer, use the channel locks to grip the nail and pry them out. Again, use the block to lever against the cabinet, rather than right on the cabinet.

Step 4

Use a colored wood putty that matches the wood to fix any splintered areas, gouges and nail holes. If you were careful, there should be no gouges, but accidents happen.

Step 5

Use a colored wax pencil that matches the cabinet wood to cover any accidental scratches. Rub it on, then blend it in with your fingertip.

References

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