Applying laminate to inside of cabinet

[emb]

Are there any tips for applying laminate to the inside edges of a cabinet? Do you laminate the entire inside or use precision cuts? If you laminate your entire inside, how do you glue your cabinet together?


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[Mental]

It's generally recommended to laminate both sides to prevent warping. It's true though, you lose the ability to glue the joints well.

[emb]

My only concern is that the screws could easily shred up the MDF. I find it hard to see a cabinet lasting more than a couple years not being glued together.


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[Mental]

I think you would have to add some batons, or other brackets for reinforcement.

[Kiatuthlanna]

You could also remove small sections of the laminate on the inside using a template and a straight router bit and then glue framing pieces directly to the MDF surface.

Check out this project: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112721.0

[wp34]

I copied what WoodshopFlunky and MartinJ have done for my project.  It is quite solid.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,116519.msg1251506.html#msg1251506

I also like how Epyx used scraps on the inside of his.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,96465.msg1026504.html#msg1026504

[emb]

Routing out the batons seems like a pain in the butt to do, but worth it. I think I will take that approach. Thanks!

[Woodshop Flunky]

I cut areas out of my template, and used that as a guide.  However, I was using a straight bit, and bushings.  This allowed me to drop my cutter just enough to remove the laminate.  Using a flush trim bit would be a little more difficult.

If I were to do it again I might:
  1. Place the battens with carpet tape first
  2. Use the battens to place router guide blocks
  3. Clamp my router guide blocks
  4. Remove the battens
  5. Route the laminate off

At this point you can glue you battens down.

Also, I laminated the inside first, then screwed through the outside into the battens.  Once all the battens were in place, I laminated the exterior.

You're right... it is more work, but rest assured you wil have a cabinet you can park a truck on (or let a 5yr old boy loose on ).

[Unstupid]

I used dowel pins and a self centering doweling jig to put my cabs together... It's incredibly strong... Only thing is, you need to be really good with the measuring tape.

[Woodshop Flunky]

I used dowel pins and a self centering doweling jig to put my cabs together... It's incredibly strong... Only thing is, you need to be really good with the measuring tape.

Okay, I'm changing my vote...

How does this sound to you guys...
  1. Laminate the entire inside face.
  2. Place your batten and clamp it down.
  3. Using a depth stop, drill through the batten and into the side panel.
  4. Dowel and glue the batten in place.
  5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each batten.

I use dowels for furniture, and they are SUPER strong when glued.  If I had thought of this last year, I might have done this instead of removing the laminate.

[philliplee]

If you want to paint inside laminate cabinets, you need to prep the surfaces and coat them with primer. Paint simply won't stick to raw laminate, but the right prep work will make it simpler to get good results on laminate cabinetry.
Follow these steps to apply laminate inside the cabinet:
1.   Remove the hinges from your cabinets and take off the doors.
2.   Sand the laminate with 150-grit sandpaper. This sandpaper helps de-gloss the surface for better adhesion.
3.   Use a synthetic-bristle brush to apply bonding primer to the cabinet interior. Bonding primer is specially designed to stick to sleek surfaces like laminate, glass and ceramics.
4.   Paint inside your laminate cabinets using oil-based gloss or semi gloss paint once the primer dries. You can apply a second coat if required.
5.   Reattach the cabinet doors after the final coat has cured for 24 hours. The paint will be dry within just one or two hours,

[emb]

I was referring to paint "or" laminate the inside of a cabinet. Not paint on top of a laminated cabinet. (good info though).

I laminated the inside of the cabinet and cut out holes for the batons. Thanks for everyones suggestions.



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