Posted by Matt on February 13, 2002 at 16:44:55:
In Reply to: Re: Laminating Melamine? More questions... posted by rmfx on February 12, 2002 at 22:13:41:
If your going this route, try and find some Aluminum laminate, its actual metal with a phenolic back (laminate backer fused to it), availabe in some wild patterns as well (would look awesome with the metal patterns), it will bond to your substrate with the correct contact glue, Formica probably has the most available, if not Wilsonart will, i am sure they have a web site where you can get free sample chains or contact them for your supplier in your area (hint, tell them you are a interior designer, they will bend over backwards) as for embossing an emblem, you would have to apply it after because its not possible on metal laminate, the stuffs not cheap either, it just looks great and its the right way, not as much expansion, or adhesion problems. if your cabinet is built correctly melamine will last virtually forever, even mdf is subject to the moisture problems, maybe more so since the finish may not be properly applied, melamine will only draw moisture on edges also. Tee mould is well within the amatuers skill level to apply to the edges, even Happs has started selling it, just get the right cutter. Melamine is the product almost all institutional cabinetry and caseworks are made of, go to wal-mart check out the snack bar, the insides and doors are probably this product. the moisture problem will not be a factor as long as its not sitting on a basement floor without casters or wheels, or not outside. in these extremes not mdf or regular plywood will hold up either, the benifits are you have a great finished product that looks better than anything I could paint! I will give mdf the strength factor, but we are not building MAME cabinets to hold trucks up either, if paints what your after its a great choice. Best of luck Matt
: That sounds good. I'd like to use one-sided black melamine, using the black on the inside just like you said, then custom laminate some aluminum sheeting which I can brush with some kind of artistic pattern, or stamp a MAME logo into. Do I just need contact cement for this? What would you suggest?