- 1). Locate the edge of the veneer sheet, preferably at a corner that is already peeling or curling. Use an iron or a heat gun to evenly apply heat to a small area of the veneer. If using an iron, the steam setting can help to further soften hide glue. If using a heat gun, hold it at least eight inches from the surface of the table and keep the nozzle in constant motion to prevent scorching the underlying wood.
- 2). Insert the scraper between the veneer and the underlying surface and pry it up. Working in shallow stages along an entire open edge of the sheet, rather than prying deeply in a straight line, can help minimize fracturing and make the overall project faster and easier. Use needle-nose pliers to lift and peel loose sections of veneer.
- 3). Reapply heat often to keep the glue soft. Pry up each sheet, working from one edge to the other. Keep the scraper as level as possible relative to the table's surface to avoid gouging the underlying wood. Once the veneer has been removed, scrape and sand to remove any remaining adhesive or leftover fragments of veneer.
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