Martinnj Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) I have a acquired a couple of plywood baseboards which presently have some uneven 3mm cork sheeting glued to them with PVA adhesive I believe. Are there any tips on removing the old cork sheeting as it is quite well bonded to the ply baseboard it seems! Any suggestions gratefully received. Martin Edited January 13, 2021 by Martinnj Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) A good sharp chisel. At least 25mm wide. Then 40 grade abrasive paper. Don't forget the six litres of elbow grease. Alternatively, in the absence of EG, a soft pad on the angle grinder. Dust protection essential. Edited January 13, 2021 by doilum Additional information 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartynJPearson Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 When I have removed cork (albeit not as thick) from baseboards, I have dampened it with water, then found it lifted nicely by sliding a steel rule under it. In some cases it actually came up in pieces that were reusable. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) I have also used a flat wallpaper scraper once you are able to get underneath one of the edges. To make the surface good after scraping, I would use a flat sander, either a belt sander or one with a flat bed and orbital motion. The risk with an angle grinder or any rotary sanding device is that they have a habit of suddenly digging in and you can end up with an unwanted groove in the ply. Edited January 14, 2021 by gordon s 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnj Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 Many thanks for the tips Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Why do you feel the need to remove the current cork layer? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Miss Prism said: Why do you feel the need to remove the current cork layer? "Uneven" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Isherwood Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 5 minutes ago, doilum said: "Uneven" Why not just sand the cork? John Isherwood. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I can't answer for the OP, but would never reuse a cork trackbed, particularly if the track had been glued down and ballasted. Cork is not particularly expensive and the key to good running is always a perfectly flat set of rails. Any compromise from sanding and removing material is always going to reduce the rail height in a localised area and without refilling or packing it back to the correct height you are just introducing a problem where there is no need. Taking extra care when laying track will always reduce the chances of problems later, so why cut corners to save a few bob...... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 Another vote for the water and using a 12" ruler, preferably a grotty old one. Hopefully the PVA used was not the waterproof variety. If it is the right sort, I have found that hot water loosens it enough to allow the rule to be used in two ways. Either as a long flat chisel, or with a sawing action using its long edge. One time I got really lucky and the hot water was all that was needed. The cork just peeled away once it had soaked through the thickness of the cork. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirey33 Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Replace the board? No arseing around with bits of cork, dust, hassle etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Torper Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) I've just being doing that very thing, albeit lifting an old cork trackbed rather than whole sheets. I found that a wallpaper scraper worked best, followed by a going over with an electric sander (flat, not rotary). I'm not sure that water makes any difference, at least initially, as I don't think it permeates through the cork. DT Edited January 14, 2021 by Torper 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now