Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Aug 05, 2004 10:30pm | #1

   Cotton cloth or towel and a hot iron will fix it.

1. 
   dfermanian | Aug 09, 2004 03:37pm | #5

   Tried your idea last week and the top is still holding today.  I also plan to elevate the ovens on blocks of wood as several others have suggested.  Thanks to all for the help. 

2. 
   WayneL5 | Aug 06, 2004 02:30am | #2

   The usual answer is to iron it down like the first reply said.  The heat softens the adhesive.

   But, that's probably the root of your problem.  The heat from the oven softens the adhesive, then causes thermal expansion in the laminate which forces it to pop.

   After the repair, I think you should put a heat pad underneath.  I'm thinking of one of those stainless steel sheets over 1/8" thick asbestos.  Of course, they wouldn't be asbestos any more.  Every kitchen used to have them, but I haven't seen them in years.  In addition to the pad, elevating the oven on blocks, even an inch, may help, too.

3. 
   splintergroupie | Aug 07, 2004 10:47pm | #3

   I had this problem develop with only a large crock pot on my counter that gets daily use. Sustained heat and contact cement just don't mix, so you'll need to get the ovens off the counter with spacers or insulated pads. Or...tiling isn't hard to do...

4. 
   nikkiwood | Aug 08, 2004 05:22am | #4

   I ran into a similar problem some years ago with a Wilsonart contact cement (which was later recalled).

   My point is, I had the opportunity to talk with a bunch of tech people at Wilsonart about what could be done when the contact cement adhesive failed. And the answer was, unfortunately, nothing -- except redo the whole job.

   But there is one rather inelegant fix that might be worth trying in your situation. Another regular here has been praising the virtues of PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive (available from Home Depot in caulk tubes). I have tried it myself on a variety of projects over the last couple of month, and it is tenacious stuff. Unlike most construction adhesives, this material is thinner and less viscous -- which allows it to spread out more evenly.

   Since you mentioned it raised at the front edge, you can lift the laminate slightly, and find something that will serve as a spatula to spread a thin layer of adhesive beneath.

   Then weight the area down with something flat and heavy -- concrete blocks, stacks of books, etc.

   I have never tried this stuff with this kind of situation, so there are no guarantees offered here. But as a last ditch effort, it might work.At least this is the only adhesive I know about where you have some chance to repair the problem. The affected area is bound to be a little lumpy, but at least it will be functional.

   As another poster mentioned, I agree it is imperative to find some way to elevate these ovens slightly -- otherwise you will probably have further failures down the line.

   Good luck --- and let us know what you decide to do.