How to Fix Wood for Repairing Melamine Cabinets

Melamine is a synthetic material often used as a laminate to cover wood or pressboard in furniture pieces. It is commonly used for cabinetry. Over time, the melamine covering on your cabinets can separate from the wood or pressboard. If your melamine cabinets need repair, you should fix them as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. The repair process is similar to repairing a raised portion of laminate counter top and can be accomplished by any handy homeowner.

Heat gun
Masking tape
Putty knife
Contact cement
Tooth picks
Small natural bristle paintbrush
J-roller

Instructions

- 1
  Heat the edge of the melamine where it has lifted up using a heat gun. Hold the heat gun approximately 2 inches away from the surface and move it back and forth across the raised edge of the melamine.
- 2
  Press the raised edge of the melamine back in place against the surface of the wood or pressboard with your fingers. Tape the edge with masking tape to allow the adhesive to reset.
- 3
  Remove the tape after 24 hours. Try lifting the edge of the melamine where it was repaired. If the melamine has adhered, you are done with the repair. If you are able to lift the melamine, proceed to the next step.
- 4
  Lift the edge of the melamine up with a putty knife. Apply contact cement onto the surface of the wood or pressboard and the back side of the melamine using a natural bristle paintbrush. Remove the putty knife and insert toothpicks between the melamine and wood or pressboard to keep them separated until the contact cement dries.
- 5
  Allow the contact cement to dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the toothpicks and press the melamine firmly against the wood or pressboard with your fingers. Roll the surface of the melamine with a j-roller to ensure a secure adhesion.

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