Revamping furniture with laminate at home involves careful preparation and application using contact cement for a durable finish.
Laminating furniture at home is a practical way to update worn-out pieces or change their look, offering a durable and affordable surface. The process typically involves preparing the surface, applying adhesive, and carefully positioning and trimming the laminate sheets.
Essential Materials and Tools
Before you begin, gather the necessary items:
- Furniture piece to be laminated
- Laminate sheets
- Contact cement (check manufacturer instructions for type and quantity)
- Safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses, respirator if required by adhesive)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Jigsaw or circular saw (for cutting laminate roughly)
- Laminate trimmer or router with a laminate trimming bit
- Utility knife
- Putty knife or scraper
- Sandpaper (various grits)
- Cleaning supplies (degreaser, rags)
- Laminate roller or block
- Straight edge or guide
| Material/Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Laminate Sheets | The new surface material |
| Contact Cement | Adhesive to bond laminate to furniture |
| Laminate Trimmer | For precise edge trimming after application |
| Laminate Roller | Ensures proper adhesion |
Step-by-Step Guide to Laminating
Laminating furniture requires precision and patience. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:
Step 1: Surface Preparation
Begin by ensuring the furniture surface is clean, smooth, and dry. Remove any old finishes, paint, or varnish. Fill any holes or imperfections with wood filler and sand the surface smooth. A clean, flat surface is critical for proper adhesion. Degrease the surface if necessary.
Step 2: Cutting the Laminate
Measure the areas you plan to cover and cut the laminate sheets slightly oversized, allowing an extra inch or two around the perimeter. This excess will be trimmed later for a perfect fit. Use a jigsaw or circular saw with a fine-tooth blade for rough cutting.
Step 3: Applying Contact Cement
This is a crucial step for successful lamination. Apply contact cement to both the furniture surface and the back of the laminate sheet. It's recommended to work with manageable sections at a time, especially on larger pieces.
- Important Tip from Reference: Apply contact cement and let it cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Contact cement bonds instantly upon contact, so you need to wait until it is tacky and ready before mating the two surfaces.
- Efficient Workflow: You can work with two pieces at a time, but they always need to be on opposite sides (e.g., one piece of laminate for the top and one piece of laminate for the bottom edge strip) so you can trim back easily without the second piece getting in the way.
Step 4: Positioning and Bonding
Once the contact cement is properly cured (tacky but not wet), carefully position the oversized laminate sheet onto the corresponding furniture surface. Because contact cement bonds instantly, you cannot reposition the laminate once contact is made. Use dowels or slips of paper between the surfaces initially to help with alignment, removing them gradually as you lay down the laminate.
Step 5: Applying Pressure
After positioning, apply firm, even pressure over the entire laminated surface. Use a laminate roller or a block of wood and a hammer to ensure full contact and adhesion, working from the center outwards to push out any air bubbles.
Step 6: Trimming the Excess
Trim the oversized laminate edges precisely using a laminate trimmer or router with a specialized laminate trimming bit. Hold the tool steady and guide it along the edge of the furniture piece. For internal cuts or tight spots, a sharp utility knife can be used. Finish edges with a file or fine sandpaper for a smooth feel.
By following these steps, paying close attention to the contact cement application and curing process as highlighted in the reference, you can effectively laminate furniture at home.
