Thread: Which Glue for Formica

The only glue that I have seen used on formica/laminex is the contact glue. If you are getting a ripple I would think you are not getting an even pressure over the curved surface.Harold

Harold is right with his suggestion and I would add that probably one big problem you are facing is the air temperature. If you are using Gel type contact it is very hard to apply a thin even thickness coat of glue. Where you have overlapped your glue strokes that little bit extra will show up in the glossy Formica and you won't be able to make it thinner because the air temperature will be making the contact really hard to get it even. If you can get some sprayable contact glue and apply it with a spray gun, you will have more of an opportunity to lay and even coat on your job. With your Melamine material run over the surface with belt sander to make a "key" for the contact to get a good hold of the surface. Melamine is a little too shiny for the glue to stick without sanding. You don't have to do too much , just as long as you have "scratched up the surface with the sander.
With any ripples you end up with you could try putting the door in the sun to warm it up enough that the glue may flatten out. It can work but no guarantee.
Let us know how you get on

Thanks to both of you for that information.
I"m sorry, I never make myself clear, the ripples i'm getting are on flat doors, but I want to start making curved doors, & besides the ripples, I was worried that contact glue may not be strong enough for curved doors.
As regards to the pressure, I'm getting a vacuum press, so I hope that will help
I like the Idea of the spray glue, I have heard of it, but only in aerosol cans, didn't know you could buy in larger quantities. I will have to try to get some, but I won't hold my breath, because this is Thailand, & trying to get anything different is hard. I will certainly start to use the sander on the Melamine
The Temp here is normally 30 to 40 deg so that is a problem with trying to get the glue even
Thanks again Harold & Chambezio
Ron

Only glue is contact.

You need to get it onto the surfaces quickly and evenly.

Wait for it to "dry", place rods / pieces of timber between the surfaces to allow you to align the Formica, progressively pull the rods out and stick the surfaces together. Make sure that it sticks down as you go and that there are no air bubbles.

Years ago I made up a roller out of a flat boat trailer roller which is used to ensure no bubbles as you stick it down, when fully down, use a timber block and hammer to tap all over the surface.

Curved surfaces are done the same way successfully provided the radius of the curve is not too severe.

Depending on the sizes you are doing, it does make it easier if you can get someone to pull the rods as you do the sticking etc.

Hope it helps and let us know how you get on.

Hi Bob,
Sorry about the delay getting back to you, but I've been away, & tomorrow I'm away again for a couple of days.
Thanks for your advice, but one of the problems I have is it's so hot here, that trying to get an even finish is hard. Chambezio suggested spray on contact glue, so I'm trying to get some of that, or a contact I can roll on.
I will be making Kitchen doors which will have a Rad of 30cm, so i don't think I will have to much of a problem with the curve. I've also bought a vacuum bag press, so I hope that will get a perfect finish.
Thanks again to everyone who has replied to this & any of my other posts, I'm 67yrs old & learning all the time.

We do have some contact glues here which claim to be brush able (gel type) but I find the easiest to be the liquid type. Depending on the size of the job, at times I've poured an amount on and then used a large trowel with a notched edge for good wet coverage so that you are not trying to put wet glue over partially dry glue.

When doing this sort of splash and spread, I have the door sitting up on door stops or blocks and the laminate sitting underneath on an angle ie a corner slid underneath the longest side. Do the splash and spread on the door and push any excess over the edge to land on the laminate. This way there is very little waste, it fast and both surfaces are fully wet coated. Just ensure the very edges get the same coating as the middle, otherwise you could get the edges, on the corners particularly lifting should they get snagged with a cleaning cloth etc.

Hope it helps and that I am not telling you what you don't need to know.