Posted by matt on February 12, 2002 at 20:21:58:
In Reply to: Laminating Melamine? posted by rmfx on February 12, 2002 at 19:37:46:
yes, you can laminate over melamine, just use a good contact glue, the flammable (use ventilation) is by far the best, go for a Con-Bond brand or any made by Columbia if you can find it. (they use many diffrent names)stay away from any waterbase and get the brushable (assuming thats the way you'll apply) follow directions and you won't have any trouble, if you can't find it try a local cabinet shop and ask them where to get it (pro strength, big diffrence compared to the weak retail stuff) or if they can order it for you. Melamine is a low pressure laminate pre-bonded to an industrial board (high pressure particle board), Formica and Wilsonart (countertop materials) to name a few are high pressure, almost impossible to tell the diffrence, its a already finished board, saving time, MONEY and any need to paint or re-laminate unless you want to, this is NOT tile board. If you go to a convience store or hospital most likely thats what there cabinets are, inside and out, they wipe clean and are very durable. Custom colors can be ordered but why, blacks a standard! This is by far the cheapest for a finsihed panel, no need to paint, stain or laminate (unless trying to cover something), most small lumberyards can order it in if they don't have it, as well as any cabinet shop. My MAME cabinet will be 1 sided melamine, the black on the inside and I will screw through the outside and glue the top, bottom etc, then use matching black laminate on the oustide to cover any visible screw holes, after done it all matches and will last for years, and that outside makes a great surface to have some custom made artwork decals stuck too, all you have to worry about on melamine is how to cover the edge, thats where tee-mould comes in.....Best of Luck Matt
: I don't think I want to use MDF, but someone made a point about melamine being a good option. Is there any merit to the idea of possibly using melamine as a base and laminating formica or even aluminum sheeting over the top? I don't want painted sides, that's for sure.