Even uglier in print🤪🥴
How does one deal with peeling Thermolite covered kitchen cupboards?
by Lisa Plavan
+3
My white “Thermolite” ( thick plastic/vinyl formed to the drawer/cupboard facings have been starting to peel away at the seam junction along the curve that meets the inside of the door/drawer. My half hearted repair attempts using whitetapes, glue, and paints have proven ineffective and as gradually as ugly as the problem. I really do not know what is underneath this material. Dare I attempt complete removal of the coating and apply a new coat? Am I even capable of that? Perhaps topical re=do of existing,, or even there is a possible esthetic repair available, or should I just bite the bullet, live and learn, and spend for new doors when I can.??? Help...please.
A drawer
General appearance
For the life of me, I could never understand this use. Is this what they call Thermofoil? If you have a closet customized they almost always use this stuff, but at least there is no water in there. If you peel it off, you will probably find it is MDF. I would suggest peeling or cutting or sanding the stick out parts. Then use Bondo or some of the other fillers mentioned on here to even stuff out. Then use good paint. I don't know how affiliated this site is, but I would suggest looking at Heirloom Traditions site and videos.
Hi Lisa, Myself I would use a razor knife and cut it where bad meets good, then peel and pain that part with a nice color matched melamine paint, it will holdup for years
Best solution
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/redoing-my-kitchen-peeling-cabinets-one-at-a-time-28925627
Redoing My Kitchen Peeling Cabinets One at a Time
http://community.homedepot.com/howto/DiscussionDetail/Peeling-White-Thermafoil-Cabinet-Door-and-Drawer-Front-9065000000007go
Hello-I had a white cabinet with minor loosening that I just needed to use a warm iron and the white finish was reapplied along the edges.
Is it just the flat outside edge of the shelf or door edge that’s damaged? I ask this because you can buy replacements edging- I’ve replaced that you apply with an warm iron.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=melamine+edge+banding+white&sprefix=Melamine+edg%2Caps%2C130&crid=1ZYPNKNSZDKZX&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amelamine+edge+banding+white
Alternatively at another home with white cabinets I was able to disguise defects using an appliance repair paint. I have found this white Rustoleum paint to be excellent for touchup! It was a few dollars at Walmart and I use it on cabinets my freezer and so much more. Its very thick and in a nail polish type dispenser.
On Amazon it’s available in black and white.
https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-213174-6-Ounce-Specialty-Appliance/dp/B000RNPGKO/ref=pd_sim_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000RNPGKE&pd_rd_r=c321c116-82e9-11e8-aafc-3933c5359799&pd_rd_w=7tICF&pd_rd_wg=Yoz0s&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7967298517161621930&pf_rd_r=WMXFVAMD287DX43W8WKR&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&refRID=WMXFVAMD287DX43W8WKR&th=1
William's reply is the best one. If you find that your cabinet fronts or drawer fronts don't come off easily you can use a hair dryer on high heat or a heat gun to loosen the glue that holds the thermofoil on and peel it off slowly as the glue releases. It is most certainly MDF behind the thermofoil. I would lightly sand (if necessary), then use a good primer to help the paint adhere. If you use a water based paint follow up with a water based clear coat to seal and make cleaning easier.. Best wishes.