Just went thru this. Remove rails with high heat gun and scraping underneath. PAIN in the ass. Then, for decals:

Use a heat gun and scrape. No easy way around it. I had to use one on high heat. Expect a ton of elbow grease. Takes a lot of time.

Afterwards, there will be a TON of glue residue. Use GOOF OFF (the original formula) and dump it on in puddles, allowing it to set in for like 15 mins. Then scrape. Gotta do this many many times to get it all off.

I don’t understand the need for chemicals at all. I have done several cabinets with an orbital sander, and each main cabinet side takes about 30-45 minutes and the head about 20 minutes.

I use 80 grit on the initial pass and go through about 15 discs for the whole cabinet.

No adhesive to remove afterwards.

Sanding is the way I mostly do it as well.

It’s hard to explain, it is sort of a feel thing. Let the sander do the work, and when it stops removing art without force from the operator, it’s time to change the paper. The paper shouldn’t be all gummed up, unless you are putting too much force into it.

As far as mess goes, I use a cheap craftsmen Orbital with a shop vac Attached to it. Zero mess at all.

following

Aerosol paint stripper. Spray on heavy, give it 20 minutes, scrapes off easily.
Remove residual glue with xylene (get it at Home Depot paint Dept). Brush it on, use razor blade to pull/scrape off.

Just to clarify, you sand off the decal and adhesive and do no peeling? Or do you first remove the decal and then sand?

Sorry for the dumb question.

Sanding with an orbital sander. Connect to your shop vac for the dust. Not easy peasy but still easy.

Sand everything, decal, glue, etc.

Yep... sand everything... the glue is not an issue at all if you let the sander do the work.

If you did this as a job, I would say get a festool setup and call it done. That setup is incredible.

Yes I do this all the time just use a heat gun with a scraper they come off easy they after use a sander 80 or 100 grit then go too 150 grit let the sander do the work and then go too 240 or higher too finsh off good too go

If you have a few bucks laying around, Festool will become your best friend.

Here's one of my favorite Festool decal removal videos - less than 4 minutes to remove one side on the cabinet - no dust, no gummed up paper.

Another recommendation for sander. I never even considered scraping adhesive off as an option...

The sander alone is $600. You'll also need need the dust extractor at $700+ depending on the model.

Maybe there's a Pinsider in your area with a Festool that would sand your cabinet for a small fee.

Totally agree- as I recently did this myself. Just be aware that temperature of heat and speed of hot air will impact how quick the job is. If too slow, the metal scraper will leave scratches in the wood that you will need to Bondo and sand. If don't then it will be visible after decals applied.

Also, I would reccomend that you use a product called rapid-tack and the wet method of adhering decals. Generally the dry method is only recommended for people who have done this many times

The Festool is nice but way over the top for just home owner crap. I've used many of them but only in High end restorations of homes and building cabinets or bars.

Way way cheaper this way always works very well

Because it would just clogged up the sand paper fast and go though a lot , I find its easyer too use a heat gun with a scraper then sand put its up too u

100% agree.

Made things way easier and less nerve wracking for sure.

I can’t ever think of not using rapid tac.

I also use the festool but on some decals I like to leave the white part of the decal on, this
is a great foundation for the new decals.
If the decal comes off easiley I'll take it down to the wood.

I was wondering do any of you guys seal the wood after sanding?

My answer is I don't I sand it smooth enough and had no troubles with the decal adhering to the wood.

Like to putty by the legs since most of the time they are dented in these areas.
I like to use Bondo wood filler a two part putty resin that sands out better than the car putty which some others preferred.
and lay a few coats down by the legs and than sand out,this levels these areas out.

the Festool has two settings one for a direct drive orbital for faster stock removal and the other setting like a vibrator for finner sanding to finish up.