Anyone have any ideas for removing a bubble in a laminate countertop? The bubble is about the size of your palm and located near the center of the counter so access from the edge isn’t practical. The adhesive used was Wilsonart contact cement, the high v.o.c. stuff and well rollered. Don’t know what happened. The counter has 4″ oak trim all around the top and two upper cabinets that go to ceiling with crown and they sit on top of counter. Also a fancy antique sink and faucet, so removing the counter would be quite a job.
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I have experianced this problem with bubbles in laminate, usually caused from that area not having enough contact cement or had set up before the other areas or was not rolled properly, which inturn will allow a bubble to form. This is what, I have done in the past you take a clothes iron and heat it up and place a towel under the iron so you won't damage the laminate. Then heat up the area and apply quite a bit of heat so it will reactivate the cement. Next proceed to roll it and and apply lots of pressure with a laminate roller. If this does not work then, you may try to inject a some adhesive with a syringe and then re roll it.
Good luck my friend
Thanks Dana, I had thought of the iron but wanted someone else's opinion. If the iron fails, where do I get a needle? Is there a specific type?
Just brain storming here.
Given:
Air is holding the laminate away from the substrate.
Additional glue, if you could get it to the location, would help hold the laminate flat if the air could be removed and the area held down.
Access to the critical area under the bubble is limited.
Can't go in through the laminate. Appearance and moisture problems.
Can't go in from the edge. Laminate too well glued down.
Maybe you could get to it from underneath. A good tight limiting collar, a machined one sized to the bit with set screws, set to the thickness of the substrate should keep you from drilling up through the laminate. Then by eye you should be able to get below the bubble. You might be able to check success by pressing down on the bubble and feeling for air.
Once you have access you should be able shoot glue in with a furniture syringe and a bit of wire. The wire can be used to lift the bubble up to work the glue in. Alternating between lifting and pumping. Once your satisfied with the gluing a J-roller will flatten the bubble to the substrate and a heavy weight will hold it down as the glue sets.
Thanks - option# 3
Thanks. I,m not sure if I can get underneath but I'll leave your idea as option #3. I'd hate to come through that laminate from below but with a bubble raised off the surface I guess I have a little wigle room.
I know all of you guys like using contact cement for your tops, but how many have used titebond 2 or another PVA glue and a vacuum press to do your laminating? If you haven't, you gotta try it. Never had a delam or bubble in 8 years. I make templates for tops just like you do solid surface and fabricate in the shop. Of course, on site laminating is not as practicle.
Heat gun instead of the iron. Heat from the bubble to the nearest open edge, even if it has wood trim on it. Roll in the direction of the open edge. Even if the slab is starved for glue at the bubble you can chase the air to the edge, and since that area is ok, it will reset.
Dave