Plastic laminates

[liamdale]

Good Morning

I recently glued with contact cement a plastic laminate onto a table top. I used a plastic wallpaper roller to compress the laminate onto the top. About a week later the plastic laminate un glued in the center. I pulled the laminate and half separated from the top.

The following week the rest came off with a little help from me.

This is my first time gluing laminate onto a table top and I ma wondering what I did wrong.

Before I try again can someone give me a hint?

[Wally in Calgary]

Good Morning

I recently glued with contact cement a plastic laminate onto a table top. I used a plastic wallpaper roller to compress the laminate onto the top. About a week later the plastic laminate un glued in the center. I pulled the laminate and half separated from the top.

The following week the rest came off with a little help from me.

This is my first time gluing laminate onto a table top and I ma wondering what I did wrong.

Before I try again can someone give me a hint?
Did you put glue on both the laminate and the table top and let it dry until tacky? Did you need to put wax paper (or small sticks) in between it to position it and then pull out? Were both the table and the laminate clean? Did you start from the center and press out the air as you pushed the laminate onto the table?

[Bill Simpson]

Did you put glue on both the laminate and the table top and let it dry until tacky? Did you need to put wax paper (or small sticks) in between it to position it and then pull out? Were both the table and the laminate clean? Did you start from the center and press out the air as you pushed the laminate onto the table?


If you skipped any of Wally's suggestions then there lies the answer. My guess is you put glue on only one side or you allowed the glue to dry too well or you didn't allow it to dry at all... Or you used the wrong glue, or you forgot the magic words (I would tell you the magic words but then I would have to .... you know the drill)

[liamdale]

Did you put glue on both the laminate and the table top and let it dry until tacky? Did you need to put wax paper (or small sticks) in between it to position it and then pull out? Were both the table and the laminate clean? Did you start from the center and press out the air as you pushed the laminate onto the table?

Glue was applied to both Table top and Laminate. I waited around 10 minutes and placed the plastic on sticks. I did not start from the center but at one end and removed the sticks one by one as I rolled. The table top and laminate seemed clean. I thought that maybe I didn't apply enough glue to one or both sides.

[Spokeshaven]

What is this about using sticks?

And you're supposed to allow the glue to dry a bit before contacting the surfaces?

And isn't there a special glue for this application besies contact cement?

[Wally in Calgary]

Glue was applied to both Table top and Laminate. I waited around 10 minutes and placed the plastic on sticks. I did not start from the center but at one end and removed the sticks one by one as I rolled. The table top and laminate seemed clean. I thought that maybe I didn't apply enough glue to one or both sides.
If the table was not clean or the glue soaked in too much then you wouldn't get a proper bond. Porous materials sometimes require 2 coats. Did you use water base or solvent based contact? Once each piece touches the other there should be no way of moving it. It should happen instantly. Was the contact old or new? Sometimes a good wipe with lacquer thinners beforehand helps.

[Kiely]

What surface was the top you put the laminate onto?

If it was melamine or another laminate you have to sand it and then clean it with Lacquer thinner before plastic laminate will stick.

My guess is either you didn't do the above, or that your wood countertop was contaminated with something. Also possible that the glue you used was old.

[liamdale]

What is this about using sticks?

And you're supposed to allow the glue to dry a bit before contacting the surfaces?

And isn't there a special glue for this application besies contact cement?

The sticks (or dowels) are used to allign the plastic with the table without touching each other.

I don't know of other glues for plastic laminates.

[liamdale]

If the table was not clean or the glue soaked in too much then you wouldn't get a proper bond. Porous materials sometimes require 2 coats. Did you use water base or solvent based contact? Once each piece touches the other there should be no way of moving it. It should happen instantly. Was the contact old or new? Sometimes a good wipe with lacquer thinners beforehand helps.

The top was standard 3/4 inch plywood. It is a recently built utility cart. I will try the lacquer thinner before my next attempt.

If I understand your comment, since my surface was new the first coat will act as a sealer/primer and the second coat the actual glue.
Two (2) questions :
What would be the wait time between coats
Since I have already one failed attempt, I assume the glue already on the surface will act as a sealer.

[liamdale]

What surface was the top you put the laminate onto?

If it was melamine or another laminate you have to sand it and then clean it with Lacquer thinner before plastic laminate will stick.

My guess is either you didn't do the above, or that your wood countertop was contaminated with something. Also possible that the glue you used was old.

The item was a newly built utility cart. The top was standard 3/4 inch plywood. I cleaned the top with water and rag, not a lacquer thinner.

The glue was new.

I also received the comment that my glue on the plywood was absorbed and a second coat would be recommended.

Before I try again I will clean the top thoughly with a thinner.

Thanks for the input

[Kiely]

The top was standard 3/4 inch plywood. It is a recently built utility cart. I will try the lacquer thinner before my next attempt.

If I understand your comment, since my surface was new the first coat will act as a sealer/primer and the second coat the actual glue.
Two (2) questions :
What would be the wait time between coats
Since I have already one failed attempt, I assume the glue already on the surface will act as a sealer.


Wait time varies with temperature and humidity, and also the type of contact you are using. Usually 15-20minutes would be about average. On a hot day more like 5-10 minutes.

Water based contact should feel totally dry to the touch, the stinky stuff should feel just a bit tacky.

Water based has a longer wait time than the stinky. If stinky goes totally dry then it may not stick that well.

[Kiely]

If it is plywood then I wouldn't use lacquer thinner, and definitely not water. Just blow the surface off with an air nozzle, or dust it off with a sweeper.

What kind of glue are you using?

[Wally in Calgary]

The top was standard 3/4 inch plywood. It is a recently built utility cart. I will try the lacquer thinner before my next attempt.

If I understand your comment, since my surface was new the first coat will act as a sealer/primer and the second coat the actual glue.
Two (2) questions :
What would be the wait time between coats
Since I have already one failed attempt, I assume the glue already on the surface will act as a sealer.
Yes .. your surfaces should be sealed now. Check the can for recommended drying times. Some types are different. If you are using water base then the glue should change colours as it drys and become almost clear.

[Lee]

In addition to possible problems with the glue application that have already been mentioned, my guess is that you did not provide sufficient pressure. You should be using a small 3” hard rubber ‘J’ roller to provide adequate pressure. Anything wider won’t allow sufficient pressure. Most glue specifications call for a minimum of 40psi.

If you can’t find a ‘J’ roller locally, you can mail order one from www.allinonewood.com.

Water based contact adhesive is much friendlier to use for HPL. You just have to wait a little longer before bonding (30-60 minutes).