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powrus · Jun 8, 2008, 06:41 AM

I'm finishing installation of our new Shenandoah kitchen cabinets, and am mildly impressed with the quality and workmanship of these mid-priced big-box-store cabinets. I have a question, though, regarding the cabinet "skins" that were provided for each exposed cabinet end surface. There are skins for the sides of the upper end cabinets and skins for the lower cabinet ends. There are also 8' skins for the 2 sides of the pantry and for the 2 sides of the fridge enclosure.

I'm not altogether sure about the purpose of these skins - since the basic cabinets all come with finished fronts and sides. Are these skins generally provided for added protection - or are they provided for additional strength and build-out?

Directions included say to use a high quality spray adhesive when attaching the skins to the cabinet sides. My assumption is to buy a 3M product for this job. I would have expected the directions to suggest using contact cement, the kind used in fastening laminate counter tops rather than the spray adhesive although the spray might be easier to apply.

I would like to hear any thoughts and/or suggestions about these skins and the gluing process from someone who has had prior experience with this task. Thanks.

ballengerb1 · Jun 8, 2008, 08:45 AM

The skins are purely decorative and higher quality than the normal end cap material. The skin can be glued but should also have a mechanical attachment of screws from inside the cabinet. This is very important, determine the total thickness of the cabinet and the skin, buy screws 1/4" shorter than that measurement.

powrus · Jun 8, 2008, 10:43 AM

[QUOTE=ballengerb1] The skin can be glued but should also have a mechanical attachment of screws from inside the cabinet.

Thanks for your reply. Your statement about the higher quality of the skin makes sense and seems to be in order. However, I don't have the option of fastening the skin from the inside of the cabinet as the total thickness of the skin is only 1/8".

Let the gluing begin. :)

ballengerb1 · Jun 8, 2008, 02:10 PM

In your case let the glueing and the clamping begin.

monkeys uncle · Apr 2, 2013, 04:24 PM

Double stick carpet tape is ideal where there is not excessive heat. Construction adhesive like liquid nails is good but panels will need to be held until the glue dries by painters tape so they don't slide off.

ma0641 · Apr 2, 2013, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by monkeys uncle

Double stick carpet tape is ideal where there is not excessive heat. Construction adhesive like liquid nails is good but panels will need to be held until the glue dries by painters tape so they don't slide off.

Note the original post was almost 5 years ago.

monkeys uncle · Apr 2, 2013, 09:29 PM

People are still looking for answers about using wood skins today. The main reason is the photo finished end panels remain the same while your real wood surfaces age and mellow. It would be interesting to see how the original asker's cabinets have aged in 5 years.