How to Fix Swollen Particleboard Cabinet Doors
Here is how I fix cupboards that have swollen particleboard areas like cabinet doors. You can repair them if the edges have not expanded to the point of ruining the sides of the door.
You are going to need to get some lacquer thinner and have some type of squirt bottle to put the liquid into. This will be used for separating the glue from the two surfaces.
Start by peeling one of the front corners back on the door by using a small knife. Be very careful not to chip the plastic-laminate. If you do chip it there will be not way to fix the door using the same piece of laminate.
Squirt the lacquer thinner between the plastic laminate and the particleboard. Then, begin to peel the mica off of the door using your hand. Once you remove the plastic completely, sand the swollen particleboard flat with a belt sander.
Once the surface is flat, use contact adhesive to glue the Formica back onto the door. The best way to do this is to use one quarter inch thick dowel rods.
Apply the contact glue to both surfaces-the door and the mica you just took off. Make sure that both surfaces are really clean and free of all chips and dust.
Once the glue has dried, place the dowel rods on the door’s surface. Lay the mica onto of the dowel rods. Next, align the plastic laminate pieces perfectly in place and remove the first dowel rod from the center area of the door and press it into place.
Remove the rest of the sticks and roll the laminate flat. Use the lacquer thinner to clean off any excess glue that has gotten on the mica.
That’s all there is to it for fixing the front of a swollen mica door.
The process of how to fix the back of the door, if it is swollen, is different. Just remove the hinges and sand the humps out. Relaminate the back of the cabinet door with a new piece of Formica. You can purchase laminate form a local cabinet supply or go the Home Depot.