A Rather Sticky Situation - I need advice please.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › A Rather Sticky Situation - I need advice please.

Bananabob

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#298471 20-Jun-2022 11:21

The plastic covering of a cupboard door in our bathroom has started to come loose.

Is there someone who can tell me what would be the correct adhesive to use to get it back in place.

Should I remove the door to do do the fix?

Any general advice on this fix, my DIY skills are minimal.

Here is an image.

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#2932066 20-Jun-2022 11:59

Are there any signs of sealant on the inside of the plastic part?

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eracode

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#2932083 20-Jun-2022 12:30

I haven't done this exact job but have a good feel for the problem.

I would use a type of glue referred to as 'contact adhesive'. A common contact adhesive is Ados F2 which you can buy at Bunnings or M10.

I would take the door off if that can be easily done. Then carefully try and remove the whole plastic part. Put a thin film of adhesive on both surfaces and on the edges. Let it dry briefly then bring them together and apply pressure or weights while the adhesive dries.

If you can't get the plastic off, pull the plastic away from the substrate and spread the adhesive thinly as far up into the space as you can get and on the edges. Use a flat stick or piece of plastic like a 30cm ruler. Try to avoid lumps in the spread of adhesive. Keep the glued surfaces apart for a while, while it dries etc, as above.

If you can get the plastic apart, I would use an aerosol version of contact adhesive.

Ados F2 tube

Ados F2 aerosol

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Bananabob

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#2932087 20-Jun-2022 12:35

hsvhel:

Are there any signs of sealant on the inside of the plastic part?

No it all looks clean - like no sealant was ever used.

Bananabob

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#2932088 20-Jun-2022 12:36

eracode:

I haven't done this exact job but have a good feel for the problem.

I would use a type of glue referred to as 'contact adhesive'. A common contact adhesive is Ados F2 which you can buy at Bunnings or M10.

I would take the door off if that can be easily done. Then carefully try and remove the whole plastic part. Put a thin film of adhesive on both surfaces and on the edges. Let it dry briefly then bring them together and apply pressure or weights while the adhesive dries.

If you can't get the plastic off, pull the plastic away from the substrate and spread the adhesive thinly as far up into the space as you can get and on the edges. Use a flat stick or piece of plastic like a 30cm ruler. Try to avoid lumps in the spread of adhesive. Let it dry for while, etc as above.

If you can get the plastic apart, I would use an aerosol version of contact adhesive.

Ados F2 tube

Ados F2 aerosol

Thanks - I hoping not to use contact adhesive so that I might be able to move the plastic around to get it in the right spot.

eracode

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#2932146 20-Jun-2022 12:59

Bananabob:

Thanks - I hoping not to use contact adhesive so that I might be able to move the plastic around to get it in the right spot.

Would have saved me some time and effort if you had said that in your OP rather than claiming naivety.

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gzt

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#2932157 20-Jun-2022 13:47

a) what was holding it in the first place?
b) the reason that has failed?

It looks like the kind of thing might have friction.grips or tabs.

Personally I've never seen this type of cover. Interesting way of doing things.

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Bananabob

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#2932177 20-Jun-2022 14:12

eracode:

Bananabob:

Thanks - I hoping not to use contact adhesive so that I might be able to move the plastic around to get it in the right spot.

Would have saved me some time and effort if you had said that in your OP rather than claiming naivety.

Not naivety just minimal DIY skills - To me that means I have some knowledge about what is required, I just can't carry it out very well.

So I apologise for misguiding you, but your reply was excellent and detailed and if contact adhesive proves to be the only way, then I shall be using your instructions. Thank you.

eracode

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#2932178 20-Jun-2022 14:16

gzt:
a) what was holding it in the first place?
b) the reason that has failed?

It looks like the kind of thing might have friction.grips or tabs.

Personally I've never seen this type of cover. Interesting way of doing things.

I believe it's a moulded plastic veneer/cover that's attached to the mdf doors. The adhesive has failed. My brother had the same thing happen to his kitchen cabinetry some years ago.

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mdf

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#2932182 20-Jun-2022 14:21

I'd ordinarily say just use double sided tape. But if it is in a bathroom, and protecting ~~a sponge~~ MDF, you will really need to do it properly to make sure no steam or water gets in behind it and makes the wood swell.

You will probably need to take it off. This will give you a chance to look at the back of the veneer and try and figure out what it is - this will affect what glues you can use and/or do a hidden test spot. Contact adhesive will pretty much stick anything, but other glues will react differently to different plastics. You might be able to use Aquadhere Durabond, but note it only does _most_ plastics with some exceptions.

Taking it off will also help make sure there is no old dry stuff that might be a problem.

Bananabob

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#2932191 20-Jun-2022 14:35

gzt:
a) what was holding it in the first place?
b) the reason that has failed?

It looks like the kind of thing might have friction.grips or tabs.

Personally I've never seen this type of cover. Interesting way of doing things.

In answer to both your questions. I am not sure, I have assumed that it was stuck in place with adhesive and that it just failed.

Bananabob

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#2932193 20-Jun-2022 14:37

mdf:

I'd ordinarily say just use double sided tape. But if it is in a bathroom, and protecting a sponge MDF, you will really need to do it properly to make sure no steam or water gets in behind it and makes the wood swell.

You will probably need to take it off. This will give you a chance to look at the back of the veneer and try and figure out what it is - this will affect what glues you can use and/or do a hidden test spot. Contact adhesive will pretty much stick anything, but other glues will react differently to different plastics. You might be able to use Aquadhere Durabond, but note it only does _most_ plastics with some exceptions.

Taking it off will also help make sure there is no old dry stuff that might be a problem.

Thanks for that info. I guess that the reason for the failure is the steam, or heat from the fan heater that sits on the wall to the side of the cabinet.

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nicmair

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#2932195 20-Jun-2022 14:42

as you say its in a bathroom, then while you could re glue with a Contact adhesive (addos F2 type) over time its unlikely to be successful, as ANY moisture that has, or can get in there will/has caused the MDF to swell. A re glue will solve the immediate cosmetic's, but I'd be looking to replace. A kitchen/bathroom installer should be able to help. If its a standard vanity, might be easier/cheaper to shout yourself a nice new vanity :-)

Bananabob

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#2932196 20-Jun-2022 14:46

nicmair:

If its a standard vanity, might be easier/cheaper to shout yourself a nice new vanity :-)

Might save us some headaches too.

wellygary

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#2932200 20-Jun-2022 14:59

If you do glue it back on, use clamps and some strips of wood to apply pressure on it while it sets,

If don't have clamps then a sheet of wood with some heavy things on top is probably just are good..

mattwnz

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#2932208 20-Jun-2022 15:19

I think this is quite a common issues with doors that have what is referred to as a foil or thermal plastic coating. It can eventually just come away from the substrate. We had some that did this around the edges. I think the bond just fails. Glue is probably the only way really to fix. Our new kitchen doors are lacquered instead so it shouldn't occur.

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