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What Kind Of Glue Should Be Used On Loose Formica

January 5th, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

If your cabinet laminate is coming off and your wondering what kind of glue should be used on loose Formica, do not use yellow glue. Actually, make sure that you don’t use any type of wood glue whether it is yellow or white. I have been in so many homes where customers tried to repair their Formica cabinets by using the wrong type of adhesive. The only adhesive that you should use to re-stick loose plastic laminate with is contact cement. It is very important that you use the correct kind though. If you are re-laminating an area that is near heat sources make sure that you do not use a non-flammable contact glue. Non-flam contact adhesive will not withstand the heat. I have had counter tops de-laminate from just the sunlight shinning through the window directly on the plastic laminate that I used non-flammable contact adhesive on.

Another problem with it is that it can only be used when the surrounding atmospheric temperature is above seventy degrees. Always use a flammable grade contact adhesive in any high heat areas. This applies to door edges that may be over toaster ovens, Fry Babies and Crock Pots. You should also take into consideration where the coffee pot is located in relation to where you are making the cabinetry repair using this type of glue.

  • Tip: The glue must be semi dry to touch, with no appearance of moisture in it, before it can be stuck.


What Kind of Glues Cannot be Used to Stick Formica?

The following is a list of glues that cannot be used to stick Formica (or,”Plastic Laminate”) with. If you break the rules,  you will only regret your decision at a later date. By all appearances, your temporary fix with the wrong type of adhesive may hold initially but mark my words, the bond will not last.

  • Tip: If you get a ripple or hump in the laminate, DO NOT FORCE IT IN PLACE! You may press it gently but,  if you see that it is not going to lay down, you will have to do re- lamination work over.

Glues that should never be used on Formica

  • Two part epoxy
  • Elmer’s glue
  • Super glue
  • Bondo
  • Yellow wood glue
  • Non-flammable contact adhesive should not be used  in high heat areas.
  • Tip: I highly recommend purchasing contact glue from a local cabinet manufacturer. If you just take a gallon milk jug into the shop with you or even a jar will work, I’m sure they would sell you some. Heck, you may even get it for free. Now that’s my kind of language.

What brand of contact glue is the best to use on Formica?

The finest brand of contact glue in the non-flammable category is the Stay Put brand. I have used this adhesive to stick small, medium and large surfaces with excellent results. This can usually be found at a local cabinet supply company. They may be purchased in small spray cans. This product is available in a red color and also in clear. We certainly recommend that you use the clear one. Red die stuck inside contact cement is a rough combination to remove from surrounding surfaces.

  • Tip: When the two surfaces of material that you have applied the contact glue to have met one another, you will not be able to adjust the position. Make sure you hit the mark perfect the first time.

There are many brands of flammable contact glue that will work just fine when laminating Formica. Here again check with a local cabinetry supply company. Places such as Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware will have various choices available. Some companies offer small bottles of Formica glue for making repairs with. My strongest suggestion though is to purchase the glue either from a cabinet shop or cabinet supply company.

As earlier mentioned a local cabinetry shop can supply you with the best contact glue adhesive to get the loose Formica stuck back into place. You know,  they will even give you some pointers on how to re-glue loose mica too. This will eliminate you having to fuss with which glues that you should not use and help you to find the best contact adhesive that will get your Formica re-laminating job accomplished.  Just remember that when you stick the two pieces together,  they must be in perfect alignment.

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  1. Dale
    May 31st, 2009 at 06:43 | #1

    Hi, we have formica counter tops and they are not sticking anymore,
    we were told that there was a recall on the glue that was used? they called it blue glue. do you have any info
    thanks Dale

  2. admin
    May 31st, 2009 at 15:35 | #2

    I do not have any information on this product.

    Years ago Non-flammable glues had issues such as you have described. After about a year of being fine all of the sudden the laminate would begin to let loose. You could just barley pull on a loose piece that was on a door and it would almost effortlessly peal off.

    I’ve never heard of anyone having trouble with flammable contact glue.

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