Reglue loose laminate
1 of 3Photo 1: Apply contact cement
Spread contact cement on with the applicator or a disposable natural-bristle brush,
covering all edges.
2 of 3Photo 2: Let the glue dry
Keep the two sides separate until the glue is dry but still a
little tacky—usually in about 20 minutes.
3 of 3Photo 3: Join the surfaces
Align and then push the laminate edge back against the
particleboard, applying pressure with a smooth block of
wood for a good bond.
End caps and other laminate edges
sometimes come loose and can
get broken off if not reglued, but as
long as the particleboard backer is in
good condition, the fix is simple.
Scrape off chunks of debris or dried
lumps of glue from the end cap. If the
countertop is newer, first try to iron the
end cap back on with a medium-hot
iron to reactivate the glue. However, in
most cases the loose piece will need to
be reattached with contact cement.
Sand rough areas with medium-grit
sandpaper, then apply the contact
cement (Photo 1). Open nearby windows
to dissipate the fumes from the
glue. After both sides are completely
coated, keep them separated with a
toothpick (Photo 2) until the adhesive
is tacky. Carefully rejoin the two sides, starting at the back of the
glued area (Photo 3). Contact cement bonds instantly, and if
the wrong areas accidentally touch, you'll have great difficulty
pulling them apart.
Finally, rub away any dried glue around the edges with your
finger.
Note: If your end cap has broken, scrape it off and take a piece
to a home center to find a matching replacement piece.
