Formica Skirting

Any suggestions about how to fix long thin stips of formica along the bottom of a wall? A problem exarcebated by the wall projecting above the skirting in a manner similar to the way kitchen units are recessed.

Can it be coiled? It is a real pain trying to lay it all in one go. I doubt anyone here has come across this sort of thing but I have never heard of it myself so I thought I'd give it a go.

Reply to
Weatherlawyer
Loading thread data ...

Formica? there is a blast from the past..it can certainly be coiled - at least the 1mm or so thick stuff can.

I used top use solvent based Evostik to make 'kitchen tops' with Formica, before the pre-made sort became available.

That is probably a good bet in this case...evostik. Then set it in place with a strip of plastic between, and gradually withdraw plastic and tamp down..No more nails (or equiv.) might work well too.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

No offence but you don't know what you are talking about. You should only use contact adhesive with formica. The thing is once I have put it on the plastic will I'd like to be able to coil it for ease of handling.

The stuff tends to stick only when both the laminate and the wall are coated. My problem is that I can't navigate much with it. I have to hold it out and place it along the base of the wall as well as fit it to the previous strip laid. All whilst tucking it under an 1/2" lip.

It's next to impossible.

Reply to
Weatherlawyer

And what is evostik if not contact adhesive?

Actually I have also used epoxy. That works well..and also polyester resins as in car body filler, but its expensive.

Its not a difficult material to just tack in place, which is why I suggested no more nails. The acrylics will PROBABLY bond well enough to stop it actually falling down, and you PROBABLY need the gap fill properties - sadly lacking in contact adhesive.

Another possible is a mildly foaming polyurethane glue.

< The thing is once I have put it

Yes, which is why you ned to let it dry off throughly and insert a separator - probably something like heavy polythene - which wont tacxk to it.

That is of course what chareactrises a contact glue, like the solvent based evostik that I originally mentioned.

I suppose you are too young to realise that in 1962, Evostik meant one thing only. A petroleum based rubber contact adhesive for gluing Formica.

My problem is that I can't navigate much with it. I have to

I wouldn't use Formica to do skirting anyway. Been there done that..if the contact adhesive isn't quite set off before you lay it, a little lateral shuffling is possible.

I must say I'd be inclined to dot and dab car body filler and use a slab of wood to hold it in place for the 5 minutes it takes to go off,..

>
Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

A help would be to use a thixotropic contact adhesive - Time Bond, etc. This at least allows some alignment after contact.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

The message from The Natural Philosopher contains these words:

Ah, the heady smells of my youth.

Reply to
Guy King

why not apply the contact adhesive to one surface and position the formica right away, no predrying time. This gives you the chance to move it about a bit, and once in position it must be held there while the glue dries.

NT

Reply to
meow2222

Actually its easier to apply to both, put in place more or less, leave

15 minutes and whack it down..

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.