Help with replacing plywood

Betty Cropper
by Betty Cropper

How do you get the old plywood back off of a corner hutch to replace it? Someone cut a hole in the back of it and the bottom of both pieces of plywood are also damaged and they need to be replaced.

  19 answers
  • Can you see staples that you can remove? I would take a screw driver and remove them and then measure the wood and have some recut to put back on.

  • Betty Cropper Betty Cropper on Jul 24, 2020

    It’s nailed on☹️

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 24, 2020

    If you could gently wedge a very very thin pry bar that should give you enough room to slowly and very gently remove that.

    If all else fails could you just cover over the old plywood? If it was painted it would blend right in. Even if it was sanded and stained again that would also help this spot to blend in.

  • I would use the hole to help pry it off. If the wood is going to be replaced anyway, you don't have to worry about damaging it.

  • Laura Hall Jones Laura Hall Jones on Jul 24, 2020

    The easiest way to take it off is to use a mallet and gently tap the back piece from the inside of the cabinet. It is probably held on by small nails. If you are careful enough, you’ll be able to use the piece for your measurements for replacement piece.

  • Laura Hall Jones Laura Hall Jones on Jul 24, 2020

    to add....keep in mind that you can see the wood and it has been finished to match the cabinet. It will be easier to finish it before nailing on.

  • Judy in Canton. Judy in Canton. on Jul 24, 2020

    If the hutch is going to stay where it is, fill the holes and then wallpaper with a textured paper and paint or apply self stick wood flooring panels.There are so many other coverings to consider.

  • They are usually just attached with small nails. You should be able to pry a knife under one pieces and pry it loose.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 25, 2020

    Hello. Can you see the small nails on the backside? If you can you could try to pry them out with a screwdriver and or the opposing end of the hammer. Sometimes even needle nose pliers can be helpful. Alternatively you might try the approach of going on the inside of the cabinet take a block of wood and pound on it with a weighted hammer to see if you could push the nails outward and then go to the back side to see if nails have emerged and then you can pull them out

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jul 25, 2020

    Hi Betty

    Here is some info for your project

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TEbLgvIqmk


  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jul 25, 2020

    That plywood is likely structural. You may have better luck covering it with something from the front - say wallpaper or beadboard panels. You could fill the holes and paint as well.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Jul 25, 2020

    HI Betty, you should be able to use a flat headed screwdriver and slip it in between the frame and the back to pry it up a little. Once you have it pried up, you can use a hammer to remove the nails. (hopefully it isn't glued on!)

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jul 25, 2020

    Plywood panels are normally installed with brad nails or other fasteners. A hammer can be used to move the back away from the frame enough to get in a be able to pry it away.

  • Carol Robertson Carol Robertson on Jul 25, 2020

    How is it attached?

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jul 25, 2020

    Could you just fill with wood fill sand and paint them

  • William William on Jul 26, 2020

    It's nailed, stapled, or crown stapled on the back. Use a screwdriver and pliers to remove them.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jul 26, 2020

    It appears to be integral to the piece’s structure.

    I would veneer over the holes.

    It appears to be pine and you won’t find pine veneer.

    If the costs of veneer shock you, then evaluate buying 1/4” plywood “project panels” - less than a full sheet.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jul 31, 2020

    it all depends how it is attached. but why take it off ? Refinsih whole piece .. it will be for sure safer

  • Em Em on Feb 15, 2021

    Get a strong putty knife and wedge in between the ply and the wood backing. Gently tap in with a hammer a lift to expose the nail head enough to get a small claw hammer around the nail head and remove. Keep going nail by nail until you can get it all off. Use the old wood as a pattern for new ply or save for another project.