Countertop Edge Repair

[Shane826]

I had the cushion assembly of the couch leaning on the counter of my 3326. I was doing some cleaning under the couch when I hear "Daddy what's this?"... I turn around to see my son run towards the bed area and the cushion fall over. The cushion took chunks of the edging off the counter. I found all the chunks. Any thoughts how I can fix this? What kind of glue I could try? I'd rather not re-edge all the countertops as I have no idea how to do that and I'd never find a matching pattern... Thanks!

[commodor47]

A trick I learned from an old carpenter: use Elmer's glue.

Place a thin layer of the glue on the piece and on the counter top area where the piece is to be replaced. Allow the glue to become a little tacky. Place the chip onto the counter top edge and secure in place with a strip of painters tape (the blue colored tape). Be sure to snug the tape and extend it several inches onto the top of the counter and underneath the counter top. Let the tape remain in place for a few hours or overnight. Then carefully remove the tape and you should have a nice looking repair. Any excess glue can be carefully removed using a razer blade (careful not to scratch the laminate).

Dick

[Shane826]

Awesome! I'll steal some of my 7yo son's Elmer's glue and give this a try tomorrow!

[Craigrrr]

I would try gorilla glue, and will because I too have a strip that came off the removable drawer

[Shane826]

I think Gorilla Glue expands when it dries, doesn't it?

[RottieMom]

Shane, I was thinking that, too. I don't think I'd use gorilla glue. I use Titebond glue in my woodworking projects. Not sure whether that or just Elmer's would be better option.

[Bill]

Once you have fixed the problem, you will want to fix the original cause.

The proper way to install laminate is to install the edge band FIRST, then install the countertop piece SECOND, so that the countertop piece overlaps the edge of the band. That way, if you have something on the countertop, and you slide it off the counter, it won't catch the edge of the band and break off a hunk. Unfortunately, for a while the assemblers in Tennessee installed the pieces in the opposite order, leaving an edge of the band sticking up, to catch on whatever you slide off. If you simply glue the broken pieces back on, the same problem will occur again.

So now, the fix is to re-glue the broken pieces, and then use a file angled at a 45 degree angle, to gently ease the junction where the two pieces meet. (Professional installers will use a router to accomplish the same thing, but a file is easier for a small area.)

Bill

[ShrimpBurrito]

Just a note that Elmer's glue is water soluble, so if you wipe down the counter with any more than a damp cloth, the glue may weaken. Titebond III is very similar in consistency to Elmers, but is basically waterproof when dry.

Dave