How to Remove a Tongue & Groove Panel on a Cabinet Door

Remove the cabinet door from its hinges. Place the door on a flat surface, such as plywood or a work table. Place plastic or cloth beneath the door to protect the surface beneath and prevent a mess.

Mist the stile and rail joints with a water bottle. Mix paint thinner in the water bottle and spray the stile and rail joints to loosen the glue. Spray only once and allow the thinner to dry before proceeding.

Slide a razor knife blade between the stile and rail joints of the cabinet door and cut through as much glue as possible. This will not completely release the joint connections, but it will cut into the outer connections.

Place a heat gun on the joints at the corners to release the glue. Do not leave the heat in one place. Work it back and forth to prevent damage to the wood. Gently tap the door frame at the joints with a runner mallet to break the glue free.

Pry the joints with a putty knife, working the knife into the joints while you are applying the heat gun. Continue to alternate tapping with the mallet and prying with the putty knife until the joint releases. Scrape the glue away with the putty knife.

Gently pull the tongue and groove panel from within the cabinet stiles and rails and wiggle the tongue and groove sections free. If the sections are glued, repeat the release process used on the stiles and rails.