How to clean melamine sheeting or cabinets

[@KM-ev3cy]

My very old white cupboards have begun to yellow, so I'll give this a go, thank you.

[@cali_weejock]

Thanks Peter 🤗 I used my Rotex 150 in gear mode, setting 1 with a white Vlies. (without the hoover attached) I also used a cleaning compound similar to t-cut then thoroughly rinsed the surfaces with clean soapy water. Worked a treat, without the elbow grease 🤗

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I wish I had thought of that - excellent. Peter

[@SteveZodiac777]

Thanks Peter - some good techniques there to aid our recycling efforts! I must say that your workshop is looking splendid and so clean. I shall have to give mine a deep-clean! All the best.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Darrel, I have the advantage that the workshop is brand new !! Cheers. Peter

[@bigmonkey999888]

Hi Peter in this day and age this is the approach that helps to save our wallets! Steve

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I was amazed how much really useful material I have now got. Cheers. Peter

[@naty1012]

This is perfect as a temporary fix for me. My countertops are already old so I will use the solvent &abrasive cif cleaner.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Super. Peter

[@andyrobinson6052]

Love it. Matthias Wandel just released a video about re-energising a rocking chair found on the roadside. Recycling and reusing what would otherwise be in the bin. There is value all over the place if you know how to find it. Superb!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Andy, That is amazing, cheers. Peter

[@andrewmaddams1446]

Cellulose thinners will clean it quicker. It removes fats, oils and black marks with ease. Then you can use tcut, toothpaste or similar very mild abrasive to finish.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Andrew, I am learning a lot of new ways of doing this sort of thing. I just used what I had available but will certainly try cellulose thinners next time. Cheers. Peter

[@stevenvachon9745]

Not sure if you if you tried lacquer thinner, but that is the standard in big shops around here. Although not as user friendly, it certainly works quite well with zero visible residue. And I am also a big fan of using cover sheets (protective sheets) /damaged and discontinued sheets and laminate. You would be amazed at what you can pick up from wholesalers for next to give away prices. Worth a visit to a supplier if you know someone who buys wholesale. Stay healthy 🌱

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Steven, Great idea - I will take a tour around soon. Cheers. Peter

[@antb3334]

Rubbing alcohol and/ or steam cleaners work great

[@andrewschannel3635]

I prefer bar keepers friend to cif etc, it’s less abrasive and relies on a chemical reaction for stain removal.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Andrew, I am not sure about "bar keeper's friend" - I used to have one when I worked in a pub but he was just about managing to stay put on the bar stool whilst I served him drinks ! Cheers. Peter

[@marcosbatista6227]

Always Very good your videos Peter, thanks for sharing, hug friend! 🇬🇧

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Marcos, Your are, as always, very kind. Cheers. Peter

[@marcosbatista6227]

@@NewBritWorkshop you deserve all kindness Peter! Thanks.

[@stuartdelamare4072]

I use t cut car cleaner especially on plastic window frames works well with non scratch scouring pad or magic eraser 👍🏼🇬🇬

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Stuart, That is excellent advice and much better than the cream cleanser that I used. Cheers. Peter

[@GregWallis]

Me, too. T-Cut followed by an automotive wax polish yields extremely good results. Or even toothpaste, as that's another fine abrasive.

[@naty1012]

Does magic eraser work for badly stained white counter?

[@stuartdelamare4072]

@@naty1012 give it a go you never know until you try. I’d try sieve dusting the surface with baking soda vanish powder mix then spray with water from spray bottle activate it and let sit a bit before rubbing 👍🏼🇬🇬

[@stuartdelamare4072]

@@naty1012 also sometimes shaving foam works well let it sit and fizz gets in to the scratches. it’s awesome on stainless steel sinks 👍🏼🇬🇬

[@LostWhits]

You can clean and clean and clean with Thinners, or Turps. But if there is a brown stain that doesn't seem to budge, it's probably blood or coffee. That will come off with spit.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

...as long as you don't chew tobacco ! Cheers. Peter

[@philipshemilt5447]

Dear Peter, as a subscriber and fellow woodworker I wanted to speak with you regarding a product I own and wanted your thoughts. I have a Trend DG Pro kitchen drainer jig. It was a fairly substantial investment when you consider the base price of £300 and then nearly £100 per jig insert depending upon the design you or your client would like. The main problem I have found is the sliding carriage mechanism in to which you "dock" your router fitted with a bush. Mine regularly unscrews during use which requires regularly stopping to tighten the screws. I wonder if it is something with your influence you could demonstrate and review, in which light, I would love to see your thoughts on it. I would have thought for the price, a linear bearing of v pulley beaing would have been a better solution, with with one side fixed, the other was spring loaded . It is a simple idea where a boom gantry runs on a profiled frame and on this boom is a sliding carriage of which I speak. Anyway, I hope you can assist in getting this problem visible and maybe even you with UJK can make a better unit? Keep doing what you do, all the best Philip

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Philip, I will try but cannot promise anything. In the meantime if you are concerned about a particular screw coming loose try using some Loctite or super glue to keep it in place. Good luck. Peter

[@philipshemilt5447]

@@NewBritWorkshop the problem with glue (if I can send a photo of the base it would be easier to see) both the top router plate and the sub base are of a composite material, with a gap between the two to achieve the "glide" on the steel rails of the boom. I thought of glue, and thread lock, but, due to the design I think it would eventually fail. The steel rails are 12mm diameter, hence why I thought linear bearings or v pulley bearings would be better.

[@iangregoryhome]

Silicone on the screws would stop them working loose but not enough so you couldn't remove them. As a temp fix until Peter has had a look of course.

[@leighsutherland6222]

Is the cream cleanser a kitchen cleanser? Someone mentioned Barkeeper’s Friend, but not whether or not he meant the powder or cream. In America, Barkeeper’s Friend cream is similar to a product called Soft Scrub. Both are used to clean kitchen sinks, counters and pans. I have white kitchen cabinets that looked clean, until I removed the hardware and saw bright white underneath! I have tried many products, including a cream cleanser, but nothing has done a good job. I have used a steamer, which usually yuelds fantastic results, so I wonder if I just have to deal with the fact that 26 years have taken their toll. Do you think the spirits will have an effect on my cabinets?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Leigh, Melamine does darken with time unless it is completely covered and kept out of the light. Using one of those cream cleaning products which are slightly abrasive will remove the very top thin layer and should expose a cleaner surface below. However, the natural shine of melamine will be lost when using any form of abrasive. You can try a spirit cleaner but unless there is a grease or oil stain it will have no effect. Good luck. Peter

[@simplykitchensnorfolk]

really Peter, whats next a video on how to walk and talk at the same time, usually love your vids you are one of the best on youtube.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Robin, I get all sorts of questions from people and the range of practical ability of my viewers is quite great. What may seem trivial to a seasoned expert like yourself may be useful to others. In this particular case I had been asked 4 or 5 times to give advice about cleaning melamine going back several years. The opportunity has only just come along. Cheers. Peter

[@simplykitchensnorfolk]

Fair comment, keep up the good work

[@tanyapeavoy5885]

Would this work for nicotine stains on cabinets? It's soaked right in my cabinets and can't get them bright white again from just regular cleaners.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I don’t think so - it may need something similar to bleach. Peter

[@tanyapeavoy5885]

Thanks Peter you were absolutely dead on, bleach works !!!!

[@MrPatdeeee]

Thanks for this valuable information. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. None finer.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Pat, Thank you - a true friend, as always. Cheers. Peter

[@TheonlyKirindaMarie]

will this work if you have stains from water and blue toilet bowl cleaner in the melamine? PLEASE HELP ME LOL

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Kirin, I am not sure as I have not tried it. It will depend on the depth to which the cleaner has penetrated the melamine. It should certainly improve things if it does not cure it. Peter

[@HeliPadUSA]

You never use an abrasive on melamine

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Sometimes it has to be used as the last resort. But you must understand that when your car goes for a body repair that abrasives are used to bring those panels back to a full shine. Peter

[@leighsutherland6222]

Never say never! Using the product once in awhile is fine.