How to Install 4-Sided Beveled Edge Laminate

Cutting Laminate

• 1

  Measure the two sides of the object that appear when you face it as you normally would. For example, a column in your kitchen should be laminated first on the sides perpendicular to the first face you see walking into the main entrance of the room.

• 2

  Cut pieces of laminate 1/2-inch wider and taller than the faces of the project piece. Measure and cut laminate for the remaining two faces, using a table saw with a fine tooth plywood blade.

• 3

  Mark the ends with a square 1/4-inch in to trim them flush for a column, or other project piece that is attached at top and bottom ends. Leave laminate long for open ended installation.

• 4

  Clamp a board along the line with a C clamp. Set the depth of your router's cut off bit with bearing to 1/4-inch. Trim along the edge of the board, left to right to cut the ends flush. Repeat with each end of each piece, as needed.

Mounting first two faces

• 5

  Pour contact cement into a paint pan. Use a medium nap paint roller to roll the adhesive onto the faces of the object you measure first, and the backs of their laminate pieces. Allow it to dry to the touch.

• 6

  Fit laminate onto the the glued faces. Fit the ends neatly, if it was trimmed to fit; otherwise, allow it to overlap 1/4-inch on all sides. Tap along the edges with a rubber mallet to set the laminate. Roll over the face of the laminate with a J roller to press it in place.

• 7

  Trim the overhanging edges with the router, moving from left to right. Sand the edges smooth with a random orbit sander and 100-grit sandpaper.

Finishing

• 8

  Fit the two pieces in place as before. Tap the edges down with the mallet and roll the laminate to ensure proper adhesion.

• 9

  Spray a small amount of silicone lubricant onto the router bearing to prevent scorching the previously installed laminate and trim the edges as before. Clean excess glue from the laminate with acetone and a clean rag.

• 10

  Position a file at the left end of one seam, tilted at a 45 degree angle and with the top tilted right at 45 degrees. Run the file along the edge with medium pressure to bevel and smooth it. Keep the file at a constant angle and go over each section until there is no lip and the edge is a perfect bevel.