Applying Melamine Edging Tape on Cabinets

Here's my step by step on how to install melamine edging tape on J pull handles when you're working on a made to measure kitchen yourself. My method uses contact adhesive for non-iron on edging tape that's around 1mm thick. I'll also show you how to trim edge banding like a pro, which can also be useful for high gloss shelves or any melamine wood.

There may come a time when you're working on made to measure kitchen doors for awkward spaces. Such as, you've found a second hand kitchen on ebay and need to cut some for made to measure cupboard doors.

Or, you know someone who knows someone with kitchen cancellations that you've acquired. And instead of paying £5k for new kitchen carcasses, it actually just cost you nothing other than a little DIY sweat.

I know, because my parents are always doing one or the other. But this time, I was there to learn how to fit made to measure cabinets, followed by applying kitchen cabinet edging tape. Ler me talk you through it.

Types of Cabinet Edging Tape on the Market

Firstly, you'll need to know the types of kitchen cabinet edge trim there are on the market. Initially, I was baffled as there's a huge variety of cupboard edging tape available:

• Melamine edge banding (which I'll be using), often in is a high gloss
• Veneer edging tape which is usually real wood, like oak, beech, etc
• Conti white edging tape for conti board, a laminated chipboard furniture panel that's more matt
• PVC edging tape, which is thin melamine coated paper
• Self adhesive edging tape, such as peel and stick edge banding
• Iron on veneer edging tape

Not only are they all cosmetic, but also act as a cabinet edge protector to prevent damage to the door itself and more importantly, water damage.

Which Edging Strip for Kitchen Cabinets Should I Use?

It obviously depends on what you plan on applying edge tape to. I know sometimes it can be a struggle, but the hardest part can be finding the perfect match. Particularly if you have a specific colour, pattern or finish.

If you need black or white edging tape for cupboards, then you have a lot more choices available to you. If not, I highly recommend where possible, taking a cupboard or offcut with you. Or buying on the basis you know you can return unopened rolls for a full refund.

Unique Colour Melamine Cupboard Doors

If you're struggling to find the right melamine edge banding tape in the particular for high gloss, then try to contact the kitchen manufacturer to buy some.

We're working with high gloss grey melamine cupboard doors which came with the kitchen carcasses. Ours does not have any adhesive, so we'll be using contact adhesive.

Tools and Equipment for Installing Edge Banding Tape

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• Junior hacksaw
• Contact adhesive with applicator provided
• Set of rasps - particularly for J pull handles
• Rag for rubbing away glue
• Worktop protectors
• Optional: Hand plane

How to Install Cabinet Edging Trim

First, I cut a workable strip of melamine edge banding tape with a junior hack saw which was slightly longer than what I needed.

Then I smeared contact adhesive on both the back of the tape and the raw MDF edge of the kitchen cabinet door.

Note: you'll need to leave both to dry for a few minutes to they fix together nicely.

Lining Up Your Kitchen Cabinet Edging

Next, I lined the bottom of my cabinet edge tape with the bottom of the side of the drawer and press everywhere down firmly.

The reason I did this, is due to accessibility. It'd be harder to file the bottom off, unless I removed the drawer completely.

Also, I knew I needed to trim the cabinet edging strip around the J pull handle anyway. BUT, you may need to unscrew them off completely if you find they're in the way while working.

Tips For Applying Cabinet Edging

For the hard to reach places, it may be easier taking off the cabinet door at the hinges.

Note: some only screw on. However, many upclip at the back of the hinge. *It took me a while to realise years after my DIY kitchen cupboard door hinge fix repair.

To find out which ones you have, place your finger at the very back of the hinge that faces the back of the cupboard. There may be a release button there to push which you can't actually see.

How to Trim Melamine Edge Banding

The way my carpenter Dad always taught me, was to trim the edge banding tape with a rasp. And perhaps that's because it's best for novices like me. But I've found that you don't need an expensive wood edge banding machine for a professional finish.

And for trimming wood edge banding around curved profiles such as J pull cupboard doors, rasps are absolutely necessary.

However, for doing lots of straight edges and corners, you could treat yourself to a double edge band trimmer tool as seen being used by Peter Millard here. *Note, you'll need to check whether it only works with thinner self adhesive edging tape.

Tips for Using a Rasp For Cabinet Edging

1. Start filing down your edge banding frameless cabinets by holding a flat rasp on an angle, running from left to right to take the sharp edge away
2. Then, to trim more off, see diagram above and photo where we push away we push away at a 45 degree angle towards the right (as we're right handed) while at the same time, holding it on a 45 degree angle on the corner
3. Then, from time to time, go back to removing side to side while holding in the same position as the bottom diagram so you can check you haven't gone too far

Removing Excess Cabinet Edging With a Hand Plane

Another way you can do it, with caution, it remove any proud laminate edging tape with a hand plane.

You'll need to make sure the blade isn't sticking out too much and that that it's sharp, but shave the edge off very gently.

Cutting a Profile Edging Strip

When it comes to any tricky corners, you can cut the excess off the melamine edging tape with a junior hacksaw.

NoteL if you're trimming off thinner material, a utility knife may be sufficient.

Above, for the curvy J pull handles, I cut a notch out from the top and side.

Then here's where you'll need to use a variety of rasps to file down the melamine edging tape in tight spaces.

I used the long dowel shaped rasp to file inside of the lip (above) on an angle initially. Then I'd file while flat to level it off.

And above, I'd use the flat end of a rasp for all of the flat edges.

Note, it's not a quick job, but when you weigh up the cost of your time vs how much a brand new kitchen can cost, I know I'd rather do it like this.

A brand new kitchen from Wickes, B&Q and the like can cost you in the region of 8-10k including worktops.

More DIY Kitchen Projects Like Applying Melamine Edging Tape

• Fitting a kitchen worktop edging strip
• Installing a metal corner edging strip
• Tiling an easy kitchen splashback
• Mud Kitchen DIY for kids
• Fitting a kitchen plinth
• How to fit a pop up socket in a laminate kitchen worktop
• 10 DIY Kitchen accessories made with wood
• DIY kitchen recycling bins cupboard
• Fitting kitchen end panels between appliances
• How to fit a kitchen sink and seal it
• Cutting a hole in a kitchen worktop for a sink
• How to fit kitchen door hinges
• How to fit kitchen base units
• And my complete list of fitting a kitchen projects here

How to Fit Melamine Edging Tape