How to Remove Glued T-Molding

Walkamo

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Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of restoring a Pac-Man that I purchased a couple of months ago..

So far I have

Restored the control panel (Removed old CPO, grind off old paint, repainted, new joystick, new buttons, new CPO).

Restored the Coin Door (Strip all paint, remove all rust from coin slots and coin return buttons, clean .25 logos, and repainted)..

Ordered a new Marquee.

Today I began to work on the cabinet itself. I have sanded one side of the cabinet and patched a few dings the cabinet had, however I went to the remove the T-Molding and it has been glued it... The cabinet must have also sat in the sun a bit, because the T-Molding looks yellow on the front of the cabinet, however the back and bottom pieces are orange.. When I try and remove it the edges break off... I have brand new orange tmolding, however trying to remove the hunks from the channels with a screw driver are killing me...

Anyone here have any good ideas?

Thanks,

Chris
 
Any idea what type of glue they used? If it's hot glue a heat gun or hair dryer should work. Infact heat might help with other types of glue. If all else fails you might be able to run the routter with the tmold bit though it again to clean it out. Never tried it so as with all power tools be carefull.
:D
 
I agree, heat might help. Otherwise, I'd get a sharp utility knife and try to cut down into the channel to break the bond between the wood and the t-molding. It might be too brittle and hard to cut through though.
 
heat is definitely the key, especially with it being brittle. if you can get a grip on the center spline with some needlenose it might pry out if you set a screwdriver across the edge to pry against. Ive found the spline usually isnt as brittle as the face
 
Heat did the trick...

Once it got a little gooey, it came right out....

I got one side sanded and primed today...

Tomorrow I will try and get the other side done.......

Thanks for the help..

Chris
 
Added note, dont use a heat gun, use a hair dryer, heat guns can get you in more trouble then you want, hair dryers get very hot and are able to do the job, but not enough to cause irreversible damage. . .
 
I've done several of these, and it looks like they just used wood glue to hold the molding in place. Then used staples on the front bottom, and the top back.

It's a pita to remove sometimes. Glad to know the heat did the trick for you.
 
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