How to Apply Edgebanding？

What is edge banding?

Edgebanding is a type of strip used to seal exposed and raw edges of plywood. A heat-sensitive adhesive on one side is applied to the circuit board, while the other side acts as a barrier against dust and moisture. Edging is primarily used to cover the sides of the plywood to match the finished look of the cabinet, but it also protects the interior plywood from possible warping. Edgebanding is available in a variety of materials, but two types are most commonly used: PVC and veneer.

How to Apply Edgebanding？

Step 1: Measure and cut the PVC edge banding as per the requirement.

Step 2: Apply the contact cement to PVC edge banding and the material with a brush or spray contact cement . Avoid overdoing it. Another option is 2 sided PSA tape which can be stuck to either surface

Step 3: Let the contact cement dry to touch. Then, bond the material and PVC edge banding. The 2 sided PSA tape is peel off of the roll and applied to either surface.

Step 4: Remove the excess PVC edgebanding using a utility knife, router or edgebanding trimmer.

Step 5: You can use the acetone to remove the excess contact cement. Make sure it is not harming the semi-gloss finish. Otherwise, it may put a whitish layer on the PVC, making you replace the whole edge.

Before you start with the process of PVC edge banding, make sure you have left a good amount of room for any alterations to be made later.

Safety first

Before applying edgebanding, please take safety precautions.

Wear protective clothing, including gloves and glasses. Be aware that glues are hot and take care protect yourself from burns.

Some glues are toxic; be careful of inhaling them and ensure there is enough ventilation. Read all instructions carefully.

Choose the right adhesive

Most edgebanding is applied with hot melt glue. There are two types of choose from - EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and PUR (Polyurethane).

EVA adhesive is very versatile and can be used on most types of edgebanding - including veneer edgebanding and ABS edgebanding. It is sensitive to hot temperatures so be careful using it on furniture that could be damaged by heat. One of the advantages of EVA is it can be re-melted, making it a very forgiving tool to use.

Unlike EVA, PUR cannot be re-melted once the glue has dried. EVA forms a very strong bond quickly - which is great for durability, but leaves less room for error. PUR is very resistant to heat, moisture and cleaning products making it a suitable choice for bathrooms and kitchens.

Application

Edgebanding is best applied using an edgebanding machine, which applies the glue consistently and evenly to your board. Industrial sized machines may be suitable depending on your needs but smaller versions suitable for home use are also available. Manual application is also possble.

You should be mindful of the following:

Make sure the application temperature is correct for your machine or your manual application.

Make sure your application line speed supports the glue's ability to flow properly and ensure the correct open time necessary for a proper bond.

Make sure that there is sufficient and equal pressure across the entire width of the edgebanding. Not ensuring this could lead to gaps and bubbles.

Make sure there is enough glue on the edgebanding to ensure a full coverage of glue across the entire width of the banding.

Disclaimer

This article is for guidance only. You should read all instructions and are responsive for your own safety. Please contact our technical support if you would like further information. PVC edge banding is made of vacuum molding, mixing, calendering, and other processes. A few of the types include PVC edge bands, glued edge bands, and 3D edge bands. Most PVC edgebanding is applied automatically with machines, but it is also easy to apply manually with several options.