Best Glue for Counter Edges

[berg]

Our 2014 Outback counters or countertops need some attention before the upcoming trip and impending water damage. Especially the bathroom - someone really missed the mark here at the factory.

At any rate, the dealer is 2.5hrs away and I haven't really had any issues big enough yet to justify a return "fix it" trip up there.

I do want to get the counter edges glued back on tight and sealed up before the weekend. (see below) Wondering what glue might work best?

Clamping the bathroom edge down is going to be a real pain due to the corner and tight space with the shower and fear of cracking the sink - I may just have to hold it on myself so I'm hoping for something that sets fast.

Bathroom-


Kitchen- has a few of these gaps around the perimeter of the island


Thanks.

[BirchyBoy]

Our new Passport has the same issue. Not enough to warrant a trip back to the dealer, but an issue nonetheless. It isn't bad enough yet for me to address it.

[berg]

Doesn't take much water in there for the damage to start with the particle board expanding... One good round of rambunctious kids brushing teeth could do it.

I normally like Gorilla glue for this kind of thing but don't want to wait forever for it to setup. Plus it expands. Need something better/faster/thinner???

[Festus2]

How about 5 minute epoxy? Or is that too long?

[Bob Landry]

Contact cement is what is used for laying laminate. Keep in mind that the manufacturers used the cheapest material they could get for the countertops, usually particle board, which becomes very unhappy when it gets wet, and immediately begins to come apart and retains moisture.

If I were going to go to the trouble of a repair, I would remove the sink, remove the existing countertop and use it for a pattern and make something out of good.plywood. If you want to start from scratch, you can even get the exact countertop laminate used in your decor. I ordered some for a countertop extension I'm building.

If you cut through the bead of silicone around the sink edge with a razor knife, it should come right out. There may be some fasteners underneath holding it down, but it's not going to be anything time consuming. Remember, time was money when they built these trailers.

[jsmith948]

We had a very small (about 3/4 in) spot on our galley counter that had the same problem. We used the gel type super glue and had good results. You are right about trying to get a clamp to hold. Just held the molding in place by hand until the super glue set. (Don't glue your fingers to the counter). If you are afraid to use the super glue - the epoxy, as suggested, will work also.

[berg]

I'm liking the gel glue idea. We just took this thing home from the dealer in April so there's no way I'm going to go tearing anything apart and rebuilding it better at my expense.

Little things, quick fixes, or improvements sure - but not big(ger) things! At least not until the extended warranty is up.

[theeyres]

I'd go with gel super glue. Just make sure it's the gel and it says it's for wood. Regular thin super glue probably won't work. If you get a little on the counter it should clean up with finger nail polish remover. Or you can buy specific super glue cleaner.

[Bob Landry]

I don't understand all of the different suggestions for laminate glue unless they are simply posts for the sake of posts.. Contact cement is the industry accepted adhesive for laying/attaching laminate countertops and trim. Any pre-fab or custom countertops that you buy and are covered with laminate such as Formica or Wilson Art are going to be glued using it. There are water based versions out now that don't give you the "high" from the fumes that the older stuff did. Just curious if any of you guys have ever actually laid laminate using super glue or Gorilla glue or, are these just shots from the hip.

[jsmith948]

Well, Bob, I can't speak for anyone else. My post was in response to the OP's question about what to use to repair the edge molding on his sink counter. No, I have never used gel super glue to lay laminate. I have, as posted, repaired the molding on our galley counter using the super glue. It was what we had on hand and it worked.

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[crohill]

on my outside kitchen I covered all exposed particle board with KILZ paint. then I ever so slightly pried back the edging to expose a tiny gap and put a bead of outdoor weatherproof silicone then gently pounded the trim back in with a rubber mallet, that should keep accidental spills out. wasn't too worried inside..the inside will not be exposed to any kind of water for long periods of time and any spill would be cleaned up quick enough. If the kids decide to ruin it somehow I will just take it out of their college fund if I am past my warranty date.

[BulletOwner1]

I will caveat my response, for Bob's sake, in saying I'm not a laminate expert. But I'm sure that there are a lot of us that have found "unconventional" ways of solving life's problems that work quite satisfactorily. And sometimes, not so good .

But let me ask one question. Is the counter top coming up or the edging? Contact cement is the standard glue for formica. In my limited experience, you apply to both sides, let it "dry" and then put in place. The bond is instant and I don't think it needs clamping. For the edging, if that's coming apart, can you use the adhesive of your choice and run a bar clamp across the counter to the other side?

[berg]

In this case it was just the edging - the counter surface is good. Other side of the counter is flush up against the wall so no clamping option there. It had to be vice grip fingers for this one.

Since the gap is pretty narrow I was concerned about making a goopy mess with contact cement. The super glue worked well - was able to flow it down into the gaps, press in and hold, realize I can't reach my beer, watch the clock patiently for a minute, then release, grab beer, and admire. I can't say how long this bond will hold but we'll see.