Applying the tape
No press, no contact adhesive, no special tools. A household iron on the cotton setting melts the pre-applied glue and bonds the veneer in about a minute per metre.
What you need
Four things from around the house
- An iron able to reach 200 °C — the cotton setting
- A small block of wood for pressing
- A sharp knife or file for trimming the overhang
- Fine sandpaper to ease the trimmed edge
Before you start
Give the glue a fair surface
The bond is only as good as the edge under it: dust it off, make sure it is dry and smooth, and let boards from a cold van or garage come up to room temperature first.
Step by step
Done in 7 steps
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Prepare the edge
Make sure the panel edge is smooth, clean and at room temperature. Cut a length of tape slightly longer than the edge you are covering.
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Position the tape
Starting at one end, carefully lay the tape on the edge. Keep it flush on one side and let it overhang on the other.
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Iron on the cotton setting
With the tape in position, apply an iron heated to over 200°C to melt the glue. Press firmly in one spot long enough for the bond to form.
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Press with a block
Immediately follow the iron with a block of wood, pressing the tape firmly onto the panel edge.
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Work along the edge
Repeat the ironing and pressing until the whole edge is covered.
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Cool, then trim
Let the tape cool and set, then trim the overhang with a knife, file or sandpaper.
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Finish as you like
Stain, oil, lacquer or paint the applied tape exactly as you would solid timber.