eamedling Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 My current project is repairing a very used, maybe not finished Laurel that I got for $10 on Craigslist. One of the things I know I want to do is remove the doors, which are currently glued in place, and add hinges so they can open. They are currently hot-glued in place, and I know that I can use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the glue for removal, but I'm concerned about what the heat will do to the windows in the doors themselves. The plastic looks very thin and I don't want it melted or warped if I can help it. Has anyone else dealt with this before? What did you do? Should I just plan on replacing the plastic while I have the doors out? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 3 hours ago, eamedling said: My current project is repairing a very used, maybe not finished Laurel that I got for $10 on Craigslist. One of the things I know I want to do is remove the doors, which are currently glued in place, and add hinges so they can open. They are currently hot-glued in place, and I know that I can use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the glue for removal, but I'm concerned about what the heat will do to the windows in the doors themselves. The plastic looks very thin and I don't want it melted or warped if I can help it. Has anyone else dealt with this before? What did you do? Should I just plan on replacing the plastic while I have the doors out? Maybe you could hold a folded face towel or something over the plastic while you heat with the other hand. Essentially you need to protect the plastic from the heat by covering it with something that doesn't conduct heat well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Liz, I pick up 1/8" basswood sheets, molding and strip wood whenever I'm in a craft or hobby store that has them. When I saw how my Poor Pitiful Pearl Laurel looked I decided the heck with it and let the old plastic melt and made all new windows & doors. I didn't make those doors with the plastic insert: but I had some clear plastic packaging that I used for the new windows: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyckedWood Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I doubt it will take much heat to be able to pop the door off. Maybe just set it out in the sun for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbnmini Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I've taped a scrap of wood over windows. The tape may singe, but it worked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.