Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to Bend Laminate Without Heating
• Method 2 of 2: How to bend laminate with heat
• Warnings
• What do you need

Many modern kitchen countertops, especially granite countertops, can have rounded back edges, which may seem like a daunting task to many when using laminated paper. However, it is quite possible to bend it. Based on the amount of bend and the type of laminate, you should be able to create rounded edges on the countertop.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to Bend Laminate Without Heating

1. 1 Measure the radius of the bend. When the bend radius is 7.5 cm or more, you can gently bend the laminate without heating it, so measure the curl radius first. To do this, you can mark on both sides where the bend of the table top begins. Then draw from these points two lines perpendicular to the sides of the countertop. From the point where they will intersect, measure the length of the line back to the edge of the countertop.
   • You can think of the center of intersection of perpendicular lines as the point at which you would place a compass to draw the rounded edges of the corner of the tabletop.
   • The larger the bend radius, the less the plastic will need to bend. If the radius is more than 7.5 cm, you can try bending the plastic without heating it.
2. 2 Make sure the surface and back of the table top form a perfect right angle. In order to avoid cracks, bulges or curvatures after attaching the plastic, you need to make sure that the vertical edge on which the plastic will be applied forms an ideal right angle with the horizontal surface of the tabletop. Check it out with a T-piece.
   • If the edge is not even enough, you can smooth the vertical surface with a belt sander to prepare it for plastic coating.
3. 3 Use a strip of plastic of the correct size. It should be approximately 1.3 cm wider than the back edge you will be attaching it to. This is done in case the strip moves a little when you fold it. It is easier to cut off the excess edge with a router than to ideally attach the laminate.
4. 4 Start attaching the plastic at one end. Once you have applied the glue to the strip of plastic, DO NOT attach it directly to the corner so that you can fold both edges of the strip later. It is necessary to start attaching from the flat side, which is still before the twist. When attaching the strip, flatten and press firmly with a rubber roller before folding it in the fold.
   • The rubber-headed roller will allow you to attach the strip of plastic without letting air in or damaging the surface. You should have one handy for any laminate job.
5. 5 Bend the plastic slowly. Now that one end of the strip is secured in place, start slowly folding the rest of the strip in a curl. Hold the roller in your other hand to secure the strip firmly as it rests farther and farther on the side edge of the countertop.
   • Once the entire strip is secured, roll it a few more times to avoid any cracks or air.
6. 6 Cut off the excess strip. Read the instructions for the exact plastic adhesive you used to find out how long it takes for the material to set. Once the glue is dry, cut off the excess edges of the strip with a cutter.

Method 2 of 2: How to bend laminate with heat

1. 1 Measure the radius of the bend. Since bending plastic with heat is more difficult, measure the bend radius of the corner of your countertop using the first step from the no-heat method. If the radius is 7.5 cm or more, you can bend the plastic without heating.
2. 2 Buy the correct type of laminate. If the transition to the bend at the corner of the countertop is more abrupt, you will need to get the correct type of laminate first. Plastic for vertical surfaces is thinner than standard plastic, which makes it easier to bend and not break. You can also see thin plastic being advertised as "post-molded." It is also suitable for sharp bends.
   • If you can't find a vertical laminate, another option is to manually thin the standard laminate. Using a belt sander, carefully scrape off the section of the strip that will be applied to the corner. Be extremely careful to sand the area that will bend to a width of approximately 0.7 mm.
3. 3 Make sure that the side edge of the tabletop to which you will attach the plastic strip forms an even right angle with the horizontal surface. To do this, use a T-piece. Remove any vertical unevenness with a belt sander.
4. 4 Heat the laminate with a blow dryer. The exact temperature to which you need to heat the plastic depends on its manufacturer and type; however, the temperature at which plastic will bend well is approximately 170 degrees Celsius.
   • Heat only the area that will bend, evenly moving the blow dryer over it, without stopping for a long time at one point.
   • It is recommended to check the temperature of the heated area with a thermometer gun. At temperatures above 170 degrees Celsius, the plastic can begin to deform or swell, and the rubber roller can begin to melt.
5. 5 Apply plastic adhesive. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, quickly apply glue to the side of the plastic tape that you will be gluing and place the tape on the side of the countertop.
6. 6 Attach the laminate carefully. As with the no-heat method, you should attach a strip 1.3 cm wider so that you can cut off the excess later. Starting at one end, firmly attach the plastic to the side edge of the countertop and use a roller to flatten and press down on the material. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, slowly fold the heated and bendable part of the strip along the fold, pressing it down with a roller. Attach the entire strip tightly with it.
   • Depending on the manufacturer and the type of material used, this method can be used to attach laminated plastic to folds with a radius of 1.6 cm or 1.4 cm.
7. 7 Cut off the excess strip. The plastic must stand for 24 hours before you cut off the excess strip with a router.

Warnings

• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with the adhesive to prevent skin irritation and so that it does not get into your eyes through your fingers.
• The plastic needs to be heated to a high temperature, so wear heat resistant gloves and be extremely careful.

What do you need

• Laminate strips
• Adhesive for plastic
• Rubber roller
• T-piece
• Construction hairdryer
• Thermometer gun
• Heat resistant gloves
• Fraser
• Roulette