How to remove Plastic moulding from wood?

Ashli Hale
by Ashli Hale

As I do not have enough money to buy a new vanity, I decided to strip the paint and repaint the existing vanity. I would LOVE to remove these ugly and damaged plastic moldings around the fake drawer and all the cabinets. I have no idea how it is attached, besides a few pin nails. Any help on removing these would be greatly appreciated it. Thank You.

  16 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 16, 2020

    They are most likely glued on and then secured with the tiny brad nails. You could chip them off but it would be a big mess and you would most likely have damage behind them. However, you could put some new trim in its place.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 16, 2020

    Hello can you leverage a putty knife or beveled 5 in 1 tool to attempt to pop it off? I was wondering ifit had a caulked circumference that might be breeched?

    A smaller chisel might be used but likely could cause damage to the surface that might need filling.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 16, 2020

    Hello there,

    Use a Paint scraper to prize them off as they were probably stuck on too.

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 16, 2020

    Hi Ashli, start at an edge one side or the other and use a sharp pry bar to left the molding and pry off, hope this video helps you out,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2h0pegtXVI

  • They are probably glued, in addition to nailed. Try getting the edge of a scraper under one of them and gently lift.

  • Dmholt4391 Dmholt4391 on Nov 16, 2020

    After you get them off and get sanded, you can fill any damaged places, sand and paint or do whatever you want. Enjoy.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 16, 2020

    They are probably held there with glue, I would take a thin blade, anything from a single edged blade and tap it in to a putty knife and it away. Be ready to make progress as you go with more of a permanent gap between the trim and the base.Best to you.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 17, 2020

    A thin blade should be able to lift this off for you. Go gently so you don't damage the wood beneath.

  • Dee Dee on Nov 17, 2020

    Use a paint scraper and see if you can pry the molding off. There are probably small nails and glue underneath. Be prepared for a mess. You will have to clean all the glue off and then sand the area down. You will probably have to purchase new molding of your choice. Both Home Depot and Lowes has premade wood molding. You may need a mitre box for corners if you want that look.

    if not go for a clean look with a nice planks.

  • Em Em on Nov 17, 2020

    A putty knife and a hammer will do it. Get the putty knife along the edge and start tapping it with the hammer until it slides under the edging. If there are nails you can pry up close the them until they stick out far enough to remove with the claw end of the hammer or a pair of pliers. If glued on just keep moving along sideways until you loosen the glue with the putty knife and hammer.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Nov 17, 2020

    I agree with the other posts there may be glue behind the trim pieces and you will have to get the glue off and then sand and repaint it from your photo it appears to be applied to plywood so the wood could break or splinter as well

  • Ashli Hale Ashli Hale on Nov 17, 2020

    Thank you everyone!!

  • You're going to have to pry it off and pray you don't damage what is underneath.

  • RobynnNinjah RobynnNinjah on Nov 19, 2020

    Use a pick or a paint scraper and hammer and just gently tap it section by section until it comes off. There is also probably some glue underneath so you'll probably need to sand it

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Nov 30, 2020

    putty knife and hammer but i have to give you warning it is not going to be easy and smooth removal