Anyone use "gel" contact cement?

[Bob Johnson]

I'm makeing a new countertop for my daughter's kitchen. When I went to get some solvent based contact cement I find that Weldwood has two formulas, the origional and the new gel. Has anyone used the new gel formula? Is it better or worse than the origional?

Thanks,
Bob

[Brian Matthews]

Bob,

My experience with both types has been that they adhere/hold about the same. Biggest difference was that you can't really roll out the gel. It is great or smaller applications with a brush - no drips.

I haven't really used contact cement with wood products, just laminates to acrylic, occasionally laminates to MDF, but not countertops that are "use" surfaces.

My 2 cents, hope this helps.

Brian

[Bart Leetch]

I know the professionals are still using the original formula & thats what I use.

Remember to install your ends strips on first then the front & then the top & back splash last. Use a roller to apply it & plenty of ventilation. Also it looks better if you use only the little metal trim around the top & ends of the back splash & caulk where the top & back splash meet & in the corners with a color matching or white or clear caulk. The metal strip that they make to go where the top & back splash meet is a dirt & grease catcher & hard to clean.

[Bob Johnson]

Bart, thanks for the advice, I'll use the origional.

When I install the backsplash, I'm thinking of putting a bead of white or clear calking on the back edge of the counter and then setting the backsplash down on top of it so some squeezes out, and then I wipe up the squeeze out. Is this a good way of doing it, or should I set the backsplash down first and then run a bead of calking?

Do you just use adheasive calk to hold the backsplash to the wall? What brand of calk do you prefer?

Thanks,

Bob

[Bart Leetch]

Use contact to adhere the back-splash to the wall & then caulk it afterwords & you'll be fine.
Remember to roll your laminate from the center out to-wards to ends removing whatever you are using wood strips or I've even seen an electric cord zig zag-ed back & forth & pulled out a little at a time starting in the center & working out to the 2 ends.

[Bob Johnson]

Use contact to adhere the back-splash to the wall & then caulk it afterwords & you'll be fine.

Sheesh. Talk about missing the obvious. It never occurred to me use contact cement to secure the backsplash to the wall. Thanks Bart. (Now if I can talk you into providing some on-site instructions...)

Bob