Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Apr 28, 2006 07:27pm | #1

   You may be able to use seam sealer, but you'll need the exact number for the laminate. Wilsonart, DuPont and the others make it and you can get it from their distributors.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   dlb | Apr 28, 2006 08:15pm | #2

   Thanks. That is a start. I know the supplier of the laminate and can easily obtain the needed info. Thanks again,

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   craig | Apr 28, 2006 09:08pm | #3

   You can use seamfil from Kampel.   They can also custom match for a fee. 

1. 
   dlb | Apr 29, 2006 02:01am | #4

   Thanks. I'll definately look them up on the internet as I do need a close match.

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

3. 
   BigK | Apr 29, 2006 01:29pm | #5

   Are these cracks originating from the inside corners of the laminate? If so they are caused by having a sharp corner and more cracks are sure to follow. Many installers don't want to take the time to slightly round the inside corners. Has to do with surface tension? Sort of similar to a sharp inside corner in a piece of glass. Don't know if that bit of knowledge will help you or not.

1. 
   dunrob | Apr 29, 2006 02:14pm | #6

   Having done a lot of Formica work, the cracks will never go away once they show up. Have tried all the tricks.There is a reason for the crack, that in itself is usually the beginning of a solution. However you approach it it , it your choice.

1. 
   dlb | Apr 29, 2006 04:20pm | #8

   I think that the customer would be happy if I could just fill them in w/ something and diminish their appearance.

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   BigK | May 01, 2006 09:32am | #12

   Dunrob,
   Check message 29677.12, #12 in this topic. It is something that I learned from a top-flight laminate guy that works. But you are right, once the laminate cracks you usually can't hide it. And sometimes the crack will slowly grow, somewhat like a cracked windshield will. Personally, I have never seen where seamfiller would hide a crack. But have heard several others who swear that it will. Maybe I don't have that magical touch. Never could paint BS white and make it appear all pretty either, if you know what I mean.

1. 
   dunrob | May 03, 2006 02:00pm | #14

   Very good , could not have been said better!!

    

2. 
   dlb | Apr 29, 2006 04:19pm | #7

   yes, two of the cracks are a inside corners where they are at 90* angels - no rounding. very interesting observation and thanks for the input.

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   BigK | May 01, 2006 09:18am | #11

   It was more than an observation. Was something that I learned working in a custom cabinet/laminate shop. You see laminate, in many ways is similar to glass. It has surface tension just like glass. And just like glass the inside/right angle corners can not be a sharp corner as that makes that piece of laminate or glass prone to cracking. Fabricators who care will take a moment to barely round the inner corners with a very small round file. This rounding generally is not noticable to most people. A fabricator who doesn't know or doesn't care will dress the edge all of the way into the corner with his/her mill file leaving a sharp inner corner prone to cracking. There is nothing that you can do now about what was already done. I hope that the customer will be happy with it after you fill it. But I rather doubt it. Good luck.

   Edited 5/1/2006 2:34 am ET by BigK

1. 
   dlb | May 01, 2006 03:13pm | #13

   Thanks for the info. I had not thought of the analogy between glass and laminate but having a brother-in-law who is has been in the glass business for 20+ years, it does make sense. I'll pass this info along.

   Thanks again,

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

4. 
   gb93433 | Apr 29, 2006 04:22pm | #9

   I would wonder why the cracks exist.

1. 
   dlb | Apr 29, 2006 06:03pm | #10

   The two main cracks are on the cabinets which are next to the sink, on either side. Cabinets exist above the sink & I suspect that some weight applied downward must have caused them. They were present when the current owners purchased the house.

   Thanks for asking,

   dlb

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    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.