Formica Chemtop on cementboard?
LongIslandMark
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi guys! I welcome your help and respect your collective wisdom.
My client is a light manufacturing firm that does clothing dying. They are looking for new construction for a manufacturing area that gives them a finished wall that they can clean. It is important to them to be able to notice a wet dye stain that might ruin a production run if it is not cleaned up.
I got them samples of FORMICA ChemTop and they tested it. The worst-staining dyes they use wiped off cleanly.
I’m thinking to give them walls covered in this ChemTop, but Formica doesn’t talk about adhering this to a water tolerant backer, like cement board.
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?
Best Regards,
Mark
Replies
Could you use advantech as a substrate instead of the cement board. You may also want to take a look at MDO (exterior sign board)
Tom
Douglasville, GA
Edited 10/15/2006 8:24 am ET by TomW
Hiya Mark...
I'm wodering if any slight surface irregularity in the cb wouldn't be a potential for cracking the Formica. Why not give them a ring and ask for recommendations? You can't be the first with this issue...
Thanks for the suggestions. I called the Formica folks. They don't recommend anything but MDF or 45lb particle board, neither of which is good with moisture.They suggested I look at the FRP panels (fiberglass), which they say I can glue "to anything I want". Unfortunately, they do not come with the ChemTop stain resistance. Also, they are all patterned, which makes it harder to notice a wet stain (plain white would be best). They actually pointed me to a competitor who does make plain white FRP panels (I thought that was polite of them). I don't have my notes in front of me so can't tell you the company, but it's easy to find with a web search.I like the MDO suggestion. I think I'll put that up with the white FRP (which will get stained over time) or paint it white and suggest they repaint it as need be (I'll give them the costs and they can decide).Thanks again for your help
- Mark
Mark,Why not just use Medex exterior grade MDF signboard? The stuff is waterproof, it is MDF, and it costs about double what regular MDF costs. At least, it did 8 years ago the last time I bought some. It handles and glues just fine; I have used it under laminate very successfully.Bill
I wonder what the folks at Formica were thinking?
Formica is, strictly speaking, not attached to MDF, particle board, or any other such material. It is attached to....contact cement. The glue on the Formica in turn sticks to the glue on the substrate.
Formica is a lot like vinyl flooring, in that any imperfection in the substrate will eventually show through, often cracking in the process.
For your application- an industrial setting- I suggest that you do things a bit different from the usual practice. Apply the Formica first to the substrate, then hang the substrate on the walls. Caulk / seal the joints as you hang, and let the fasteners be exposed. I suggest the low-profile rounded top screws sold by Simpson Strong-Tie.
Bill Brennen is correct.We used Medex and Medite as substrates for laminate in sub-sterile rooms in hospitals. We did a test and put a 8x10 piece in a 5 gallon bucket of water. It did not swell after one week. It is more expensive than MDF. Some green interstate signs are made of this materiel.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood