Features and varieties of edge glue, selection criteria and how to do it at home
The PVC edge on the furniture not only performs a decorative function, but also protects the end edges from damage, abrasion and moisture. In addition to reinforcing the edges, the finish covers the open cut of the board, which is made of formaldehyde. To fix it securely, you need a PVC edge glue that has good adhesion and a reliable connection to chipboard or MDF. It is worth knowing which glue is best suited for these purposes and for furniture repair.
What glue is used for furniture edges
Most often used as furniture edges:
- melamine - made of decorative paper impregnated with melamine, has a self-adhesive layer;
- PVC edging - flexible tape of various profiles;
- ABS plastic is an eco-friendly, impact-resistant border (chlorine-free).
In order to repair a polyvinyl chloride or ABS edge at home, use PVC glue or popular compounds marked "for PVC" - "Moment", "88-Lux" and others. They are convenient to use, quickly and easily fix the edge, inexpensive and safe.
If the repair is carried out by professionals, then they use hot melt adhesives, which become elastic after heating, and when cooled, quickly harden.This property is obtained from the thermoplastics entering into their composition of ethylene-vinyl acetate. To use such glue for the edge, special equipment is required. Therefore, the composition is used in production, where the function is commissioned or performed at home using a special glue gun. Kleiberit products are well known to professionals.
The company produces a quality edge banding adhesive for the soft forming method, in which the attached finish is virtually impervious.
Varieties of hot melt glue
The choice of glue for the border depends on the equipment on which the work is carried out, and the composition of the material. Cast irons have the properties of a thermoplastic - solidifies at room temperature and becomes fluid when heated. They are created on the basis of different polymers:
- ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) - light elastic material;
- amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) - gives the composition strong adhesion;
- polyamide (PA) - resistant to high temperatures;
- polyurethane (PUR) - has a long curing time.
Types of edge glue may differ in the composition of fillers and modifiers contained in it. Hot melt adhesive manufacturers recommend not to overheat EVA-based formulations, as this can reduce their performance. Adhesives based on PUR, PA and APAO are more often used for gluing the edges of furniture in a room with high humidity - in bathrooms, kitchens.
Selection Criteria for Hot Melt Adhesives
Before choosing an edge glue, you should pay attention to some characteristics - the thickness of the board, the purpose of the product, the equipment used.
The hot melt adhesive must have a number of characteristics:
- be insensitive to the effects of detergents, alcohol, water, oil;
- do not respond to the action of electrolytes.
The composition is available in the form:
- pellets;
- cartridges;
- rods;
- blocks.
Normal temperature granular hot melt adhesive is a solid substance in the form of powder, peas, tablets. Heated to a certain temperature, it becomes liquid. In this state, the adhesive is spread over the edge where it hardens. By warming it up again, it changes to a fluid state, after which the surfaces to be joined are firmly gripped.
Such glue is economical, environmentally friendly, creates a durable connection, has a high fixing speed, does not spread, but is distributed in dots over the areas to be glued.
The stick-shaped edge adhesive does not need to be completely melted. It is heated at one end, it turns into a liquid. The composition is applied to the parts to be glued, warms up again, after which the edge is connected to the end. If necessary, select a hot melt adhesive with a long "open time" between application and curing. This hot melt adhesive belongs to low temperature, today it is widely used both at home and in production.
It is worth paying attention to the temperature at which the glue is applied. The optimum is in the range of 120 C to 160 C for PVC and paper, 150 C to 200 C for laminate. In this case, the viscosity should be low. Indicators of all characteristics are available on the factory label of the edgebanding adhesive.
How to do at home
Adhesive for PVC edgebanding is prepared alone at home. For this purpose, it is necessary:
- Cut the pieces of linoleum into small pieces.
- Place them in a tightly closed glass or metal container.
- Add acetone in a volume twice as large as the first ingredient.
- Close the container tightly.
- Put in a dark place for 12-15 hours.
- After dissolving the linoleum, the glue can be used.
The melamine edge or with glue on the back is glued using ordinary tools, for this you need:
- Measure the required length of the melamine edge taking into account the cutting allowance.
- Apply tape, align along one edge and iron with an iron, gradually moving 10-20 cm.
- Roll the ironed areas with a roller.
- Rub heated areas with felt.
- Withstands iron heating temperature regime.
- After cooling, trim the edge, clean the edges and corners.
Use a cotton cloth or a fluoropolymer iron pad to maintain the correct temperature. Instead, it is more convenient to use a construction hair dryer.If a defect was admitted during the performance of the work, the edge is warmed up, removed and all actions are repeated.
If there is no glue on the back of the ribbon, proceed as planned:
- The glue of the moment is applied.
- Spread over the entire surface.
- Wait 10-15 minutes.
- Press down firmly on the surfaces to be bonded.
- The bar is wrapped in felt and pressed firmly against the finish.
- After the glue dries, proceed to the processing of the edges.
Additional tips and tricks
When working with edging glue, a number of recommendations should be followed:
- the surface on which the composition will be applied must be dusted and degreased;
- in the room where the work is carried out, provide a temperature of +18 and above;
- eliminate the presence of drafts, especially in winter, since a drop in temperature can lead to early solidification of edge glue;
- maintain normal humidity in the room;
- if necessary, remove the old edging tape, for which warm it with a hair dryer or iron and carefully remove it;
- glue consumption is more economical if a brand with a lower density is used;
- PUR glue is more economical than EVA glue.
It should be remembered that when using a hand-held edge banding machine, productivity increases significantly, but all its parameters must be fine-tuned:
- continuous working time;
- edge thickness;
- maximum and minimum of its height;
- feed rate;
- maximum room dimensions;
- the weight of the manual machine.
The operation of the device can be affected by:
- the presence of different types of fasteners for the edges;
- the existence of a special edge glue dispenser in the kit;
- the ability to rotate the part;
- ease of use and maintenance of the device.