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09-27-2015, 09:16 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pollock Pines, California
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19
Posts: 453
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Counter top trouble
The formica on our '09 19's counter top has begun to delaminate along most of the front and side edges, anywhere from 1/2" to 1" deep. We don't live in a hot environment, and the trailer is stored under a carport. We're also careful with water on the counter top. I suspect that the application of contact cement was a bit skimpy when the formica was laid.
How to fix? My initial plan (subject to advice from wiser heads) is to gently lift the formica with a small putty knife, hold it up with toothpicks, and use the putty knife to insert and smear contact cement along the delaminated edges. When the cement has set, press down hard. If there's a better, easier, or neater way to go, I'd sure like to hear about it.
Bruce
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09-27-2015, 09:26 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,044
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I'll be interested as well. I don't have a problem, but have in the far past in my home. It involved really sticky glue, a rubber mallet and lots of weight. Surely something better is available now.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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09-27-2015, 09:50 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,256
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The only thing I can offer is that when we built a new table for our Escape we were careful to make sure the contact cement had lost all tackiness before we allowed the two surfaces to mate. Then we used a hard plastic hand held roller to work them down. Ok so far, but it's only been about six months. I attempted another application using a spray contact product attempting to glue a thick vinyl "decal" onto a metal background. It did not stick well at all, looking back, I know I did not wait long enough for them to set up properly. I would not hesitate to try to glue it up, just make sure you get it as loose as possible , probe with a kitchen knife or something like that, plenty of glue, and adequate dry time.
Dave
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09-27-2015, 10:00 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I've had to fix counter-top in my home kitchen several times. Contact cement needs to be thinly applied to both surfaces and allowed to become tacky ( which is why to don't want to apply too much. I use pencils or bamboo skewers to keep the surfaces apart while they dry. Then you remove these spacers as you press down on the material.
I'd look up video instructions on YouTube since you don't get a second chance to position material.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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09-27-2015, 10:17 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,544
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I think your idea is sound, Bruce. I would make certain you are exposing enough area to work with, even if it means peeling back a bit more in places to give near 2". The main thing is you likely want to ensure you do the full perimeter. Use a blow dryer to completely remove the solvent before allowing it to make contact. Even if there is a bit of a void near the inside of the repair, there is no problem, as having the edge bonded tightly is of primary concern.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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09-27-2015, 11:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,793
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
I think your idea is sound, Bruce. I would make certain you are exposing enough area to work with, even if it means peeling back a bit more in places to give near 2". The main thing is you likely want to ensure you do the full perimeter. Use a blow dryer to completely remove the solvent before allowing it to make contact. Even if there is a bit of a void near the inside of the repair, there is no problem, as having the edge bonded tightly is of primary concern.
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Ditto
Ron
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09-28-2015, 10:38 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, California
Trailer: 2016 17A
Posts: 40
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If I were attempting this repair I would prefer to use a rigid set cement such as epoxy or super-glue and clamp the edge while it sets. Using the methods already described of inserting pencils or small dowels, inject some glue with a glue syringe, pull the dowels out and clamp. Clean excess glue before it sets using denatured alcohol.
This process might be easier if one were to remove the plastic edge T-molding which usually pushes in the edge of the substrate with a barbed tab on the molding. The risk there is that if the particle board substrate has gotten wet in the past then it might be compromised and some of the particle board may pull out with the edge material. You could then reapply the edge molding using an adhesive sealant such as Polyseamseal Adhesive caulk and clean the excess with water.
Good luck Bruce,
Allan
PS My wife and I signed off on the build sheet for our 17A due in December! Looking forward to seeing all of you on our travels.
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09-28-2015, 10:52 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pollock Pines, California
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19
Posts: 453
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Thanks, folks. Good tip using denatured alcohol to clean. I've also emailed the factory, waiting to see what they say.
Bruce
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09-28-2015, 11:50 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, California
Trailer: 2016 17A
Posts: 40
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Just to be clear....Denatured alcohol to clean off excess epoxy or superglue before it sets up. Lacquer thinner works well to clean off excess contact cement after it sets.
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09-28-2015, 03:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brantingham Lake, New York
Trailer: 2001 coachmen
Posts: 274
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Oh dear...can't wait for "doom and gloom" to see this post!
I would also use c clamps with a thin piece of 1/4 ply to make sure sets.
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09-28-2015, 03:18 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
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A very long time ago I had a problem with some arbourite coming up . It was actually in a rental apt. So wasn't going to do much ... but heated the area with an iron , then applied weight for about 24 hrs ...it worked .
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
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09-28-2015, 03:40 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pollock Pines, California
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19
Posts: 453
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Lacquer thinner for contact cement, got it. Thanks again.
Bruce
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10-07-2015, 08:59 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pollock Pines, California
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19
Posts: 453
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Fixed the counter the other day. Contact cement shot in with a syringe and a squashed piece of metal tubing, counter edges held up with toothpicks until the cement dried, then lots of small C-clamps. It went down well, can't tell if there was ever a problem.
Bruce
Bruce
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10-07-2015, 09:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,544
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Good to hear it went well, Bruce.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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10-07-2015, 10:48 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
Trailer: 2014 19'
Posts: 534
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Good news! What kind of syringe did you use? From a home improvement store or a drug store? Would be good to have a few around for small jobs.
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10-07-2015, 11:16 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pollock Pines, California
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19
Posts: 453
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A 10ml syringe for kids' medicine from a drug store.
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10-07-2015, 11:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,544
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Lee Valley sells small gluing syringes too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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10-08-2015, 12:27 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,256
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We used to buy mastitis syringes at the farm store, large volume was handy for when we routed park signs and filled in the letter cut outs with enamel sign paint after putting a good coat of paint on the flat areas. Saved the tedious trimming. Government employees aren't dumb, just looking to save time so they can take a longer break or lunch.
Dave
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