How is PVC edge banding done?

Jan. 13, 2025

How to Install PVC Edge Banding?

PVC is the abbreviation of polyvinyl chloride. It is a type of plastic polymer and is the world&#;s third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer.

There are two forms of PVC &#; rigid and flexible. It is used in pipes and applications such as doors and windows. But also very commonly used to cover edges in all types of furniture related applications.

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What is edge banding?

Edge banding creates a durable and contrasting finish for all the decorative surfaces using a narrow strip of material. That helps in covering the exposed sides of the materials. It gives aesthetically pleasing trim edges and the appearance of reliable or more valuable material.

On similar lines, PVC edge banding is made of vacuum molding, mixing, calendering, and other processes. A few of the types include PVC edge bands, glued edge bands, and 3D edge bands. Most PVC edgebanding is applied automatically with machines, but it is also easy to apply manually with several options.

What is edge banding?

Step 1: Measure and cut the PVC edge banding as per the requirement.
Step 2: Apply the contact cement to PVC edge banding and the material with a brush or spray contact cement . Avoid overdoing it. Another option is 2 sided PSA tape which can be stuck to either surface
Step 3: Let the contact cement dry to touch. Then, bond the material and PVC edge banding. The 2 sided PSA tape is peel off of the roll and applied to either surface.
Step 4: Remove the excess PVC edgebanding using a utility knife, router or edgebanding trimmer.
Step 5: You can use the acetone to remove the excess contact cement. Make sure it is not harming the semi-gloss finish. Otherwise, it may put a whitish layer on the PVC, making you replace the whole edge.

Before you start with the process of PVC edge banding, make sure you have left a good amount of room for any alterations to be made later.

Tips while Installing Edge Banding

Use a masking tape to cover the face of the board and protect it from overspray or excess from brush.
Avoid using sandpaper to finish installing. It is preferable to use a fine metal file.
To complete the flushing process, use a nick-less sharp chisel on a laminated or melamine board.
And use mineral turps to remove any extraneous adhesive. Acetone works also.

There is a slight difference between installing PVC Edge Banding and the rest. Here are a few points that will help you make your decision easier.

PVC edge banding provides a superior appearance to the edge of furniture or shelving.
PVC edgebanding also comes with hot melt adhesive in limited colors that will not tolerate direct heat from and iron.
They are cheaper than any other plastic and more resistant to solvent and UV lights.
PVCs are durable and scratch resistance. So, it wouldn&#;t cause you a fortune if it is not handled correctly during its installation.
It offers a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes. Thus, you can have customized PVC installed.
PVCs are impermeable and flexible. Hence, they are easy to cut and apply.
Dirty cut edges, splintering, or tearing are generally elimanted.
It makes use of a minimum glue line for maximum adhesion since it has a concave back surface.

Manually applying PVC edge banding

We have an odd situation where we need to apply some 1 3/4" .018" PVC banding to some parts we cant run through the bander. Running a few test with contact the adhesion is not great at all. You can peel the banding off with moderate force and while the contact stays on the banding a bit it peels off consistently to where the back of the banding is just as clean as it was off the roll. Banding supplier doesnt have much to add stating that contact should be fine. Wondering if anyone has any input. All the standards, even application both surfaces, plenty of dry time (to the touch), warm, new material.

Mark B:

I'm guessing that you can't use the bander either because the piece is too big or the edges are not straight, or have some kind of angle.

You don't say how much of this you have to do, but what you might try is to have one person put down a bead of hot melt glue (craft store type) ahead of another person who follows with the edgebanding and a roller. It would be tedious (and messy), and might take some trial and error to get the right pace, but it might work.

They used to sell a pvc banding that had double-sided tape applied to it, and you peeled off the barrier paper as you rolled the edging onto your piece. I wonder if a strong double-sided tape like was on that banding might not work in your situation.

Hope this helps.
TonyF

Thanks Tony,
And yes to the bander issues with these parts.

Additional reading:
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For more Furniture PVC Edge Bandinginformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Hadnt considered a hot glue option but without trying it it sounds like something that would be pretty iffy and most definitely messy as you say.

Doing a bit of head scratching as we've rarely had to contact PVC before and never an issue. Never thought it would be a problem and even calling banding supplier they say "its done every day" and dont know what the issue would be.

We could have brought this banding in peel and stick, which in hindsight may have been a better option, but Ive used peel and stick many times as well as Fastcap's fastedge tape or whatever its called and Ive never been impressed which was why opted to just lock it down with contact.

Thanks

Mark B:

Don't know if you are using water-based contact cement; if so, you might try the solvent based instead. If the glue pulls off of the substrate, you might try double-coating that. Perhaps aggressively sanding the back of the pvc edging before gluing might help as well.

Sorry if I have stated the obvious, but I know I have been in situations where the obvious sometimes gets overlooked.

Good luck.
TonyF

Al,
Thats a pretty impressive tip/trick that I will definitely keep in mind. Not sure it would have worked on these lengths but man that would sure be handy in some spots to be able to use the bander as a hot melt applicator. Im going to give it a try just for fun on some test pieces. Seems like it may be tricky to get enough heat for the bander glue but not foul the PVC.

Great tip.

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