laminate table seam fill & Laminart prod
As i posted in a previous post, i am building a 7ft dia laminate restaraunt table and also a 3 ft lazy susan for the center of the same table. i just finished it but noticed several fine scratches caused by my router when i machined the groove for the bumper molding. this happened on the lazy susan first & i thought i cured the problem by smoothing the base of the router, but to my suprise, i noticed it again on the main table. it seems as though this product is pretty soft compared to some of the other manufactures product i have used. so now i am trying to fix the scratches. i can barely catch a finger nail across them but the pattern is a wood grain & the scratches go across the grain, so i think the customer will consider it unaceptable, also the seem in the center of the table could be better, the seems match up well but i can feel that one side is very slightly higher. I am thinking of using Seamfil. Any feedback on these issues would be appreciated.
Blessings,
Jim Graham
Jim’s Custom Woodworks
Replies
What type of finish is it? If polished then polish some more!
Laminart 7965-vt velva-tex finish. kinda looks like a satin...
If there is a texture then a new piece is all you can do. If smooth you could try on a scrap with different abrasives like tooth paste or paint refinishing paste.
You guys are ecxellent, thanks for the great tips...
I'm not positive, but I think MicroMesh makes a polishing abrasive for laminates. Here's their web site:https://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=200forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Jim, you are learning as you go! With any laminate, you have to put some protective tape on the router. Replacing the plate with softwood helps but the smallest piece of grit will scratch. Sometimes you can use the underside of the work but trimming has to be done on the plastic surface. Seam fill is for larger jobs than surface scratches. You can't use it to feather out a high seam either. The only way to fix your problem is to start over. Of course, the laminart will scratch with use but you can't sell it with blemishes. I'd try to peel up the laminate, it will be trash and broken pieces. At least you will have the top to use. High gloss laminate surfaces are even worse. Just handling a sheet can mark it. Extreme care is called for and a good idea with any laminate.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
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