How does one re-attach sagging thermofoil?
by
Deb
+1
When we purchased our home, we selected the colors, and chose white painted wooden cabinets. Little did we know, until a number of years later, that thermofoil was used, which is a process by which vinyl is somehow shrink-wrapped onto a surface, most often MDF (not what we thought we were getting).
We learned this when the sides started lifting up, some of the corners cracked, and it started lifting up in the center of the cabinet (sagging), similar to how carpeting looks when it's wrinkled up and needs to be stretched, or pulled tightly across the room, then trimmed.
I've seen information about gluing down the edges, but nothing about reattaching the middle part that's sagging.
Any help would be appreciated, as we've purchased another house and will soon be getting this one ready to sell.
We learned this when the sides started lifting up, some of the corners cracked, and it started lifting up in the center of the cabinet (sagging), similar to how carpeting looks when it's wrinkled up and needs to be stretched, or pulled tightly across the room, then trimmed.
I've seen information about gluing down the edges, but nothing about reattaching the middle part that's sagging.
Any help would be appreciated, as we've purchased another house and will soon be getting this one ready to sell.
4 answers
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Sorry. In your situation there is nothing that can be done except to replace the doors. If it was only the edges, they can be reglued and patched. Once the center of the door has delaminated the MDF has been compromised by heat or moisture.
William
on Nov 02, 2016
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Thank you, William. I had a sneaking suspicion that was the case, as I could only find information on reattaching the edges, but it's nice to know, for certain. I guess I'll take the thermofoil off and paint the cabinets - that is IF they're solid wood, as they're supposed to be.
Deb
on Nov 03, 2016
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I agree with Williams assessment. Any attempt to "repair" the blistered section, is likely to make the damage even more noticeable. Resurfacing or replacing is the only way to remedy this without it looking like an amateur did the work. End panels at the sides of a run of cabinets can be resurfaced as well and finished to match the doors.
Susan Bechamp
on Nov 11, 2016
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I can't help with this, but I am very disturbed when I see expensive houses these days using MDF instead of solid lumber to finish out window molding. Even if it is inside, widows get a lot of moisture, even "weep" when the temps drop! I know MDF is being widely used, but I don't like the idea!
Jeanette S
on Nov 22, 2016
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