We are having a problem with plam strips adhering to particle board substraint with our edgebander. WE are getting good coverage with the glue on the particle board but are having problems with the edgebanding sticking to the glue. Before we primed the back side of the plam and that worked fine but this last job some of the edging was coming loose. Should we try coating it lightly with contact cement? We never had this issue before and maybe it was the cold temperature in the shop. We are using a holzher edgebander with cartriges. We had an scmi bander with a glue pot and pellets and never had any issue what so ever. It is also a special order laminate and I am wondering if it could be that the laminate is old. It seems a bit brittle when we route it as well. Just never had this issue before and wanted to see if anyone any ideas. Oh, buy the way there is no matching pvc edgebanding unless I wanted to have a special run made which is way more than I will ever use. We could always stick everything by hand but I that would take a lot of time.

Odd… I’ve run laminate through our cartridge bander several times with no issue, I don’t trim just because the laminate is hard on the trimmer knives and I don’t want to wear a notch in them for short runs. RE your coverage are you able to see when the laminate comes loose if it’s letting go from the laminate or the core? Is the glue in several beads or is it full coverage? If it’s releasing cleanly from the laminate I would say the laminate is the issue. I wouldn’t think phenolic laminate would need to be primed like pvc does. Wonder if trying a light scuff on the back of the laminate may help but probably not.

It is coming loose from the phenolic back. There is complete coverage on the particle board. We had this issue in the past and a light coat of primer on the phenolic back solved the issue, but this time it did nothing. I am wondering if there could be some sort of chemical or "lubricant" that could contaminate the backside of the laminate and maybe cleaning it with some denatured alcohol would remove it and allow the proper bonding with the adhesive. We found this out when we laminated the front of the doors and during trimming the router bit would sometimes pull the strips loose at the corners. I am also going to try to increase the temperature of the glue. We have had this issue with both Formica and Wilsonart brands but both were a special order laminate, not stock colors. Both seamed to be "brittle" and not nearly as flexible as standard laminate that their stock would be turned over quite regularly.

We always prime the backside of the laminate with contact cement before slicing the laminate into strips.
Never an issue after priming.

Definetly have to prime with solvent based spray on contact cement. We had this issue and solved it that way.. At least 10 percent coverage with the contact cement. Let it dry, good to go. Cut the strips before you prime them otherwise you will have chips all over them.

Probably a silly question but what glue are you using?
We used to have intermittent problems with PVC and HPL. At the suggestion of a tech we switched to Dorus about 15 years ago and never had another problem.
This is on an old Brandt bander. Allen

We are using Klieberit glue. I did some research and found that some plam manufacturers use a release agent in production. Next run I will try to prime it with contact cement, that should not be an issue. Thanks for the input

How about wiping the back of the laminate with Acetone to remove any manufacturing contaminates? Seems easier if it works.

@leo G. We tried that and it is hit and miss. We used formica cc spray and works great.

We prime with glue sizing. Works so far.

We prime wood and laminate with Titebond original thinned 50% with water.

Heat will activate the glue and it sticks good.

If you don't cut the pieces before priming them, you'll have shards all over them, and prime them well and good. Agree with @BobLewis and @DaveEdgerton on this one.

Edgebanding plam strips gives woodworking projects color and texture. The strips decorate furniture and cabinets by covering plywood, MDF, and particle board edges.

An iron, adhesive, or edgebander can apply the strips. The strips are available in many colors and textures to match your project. Edgebanding plam strips is an inexpensive way to finish your crafts.

Does anyone know if there is anywhere in writing that says not to bond PLAM with an edgebander? or has your hot melt person told you not to use without a primer or sizing? I'm Trying to get someone to switch to PVC instead of PLAM. I don't want to use contact.