Water-tight edge banding joints with StopGap

Achieving Water-Tight Edge Banding in Furniture and Kitchen Cabinets with the STOPGAP Pen

In the world of furniture manufacturing and kitchen cabinet production, the adhesive gap is universally recognized as the weakest area of edge banded furniture. The process of trimming edging often exposes raw veneer, which can readily absorb moisture, steam, and dirt over time. For manufacturers looking to increase the quality and durability of their kitchen cabinet or lab furniture products, creating a seamless, water-tight edge banding joint is essential.

The STOPGAP Pen offers a solution for sealing edgebanding. Using a highly effective hydrophobic fluid sealant, this solution prevents dirt deposits and protects surfaces from long-term wear and tear, ensuring a longer life for your kitchen cabinet or lab furniture.

What is the STOPGAP Hydrophobic Pen?

The STOPGAP Pen is a felt-tipped applicator designed for the easy manual application of a hydrophobic fluid sealant. The fluid can be applied directly to ABS, PCV or wood edgebanding to create a water-tight edge banding joint.

The effectiveness of this hydrophobic fluid is backed by laboratory swelling tests. When a STOPGAP-treated panel and an untreated panel were submerged in a water bath for 24 hours, the untreated panel absorbed water and swelled at the edge, while the sealed panel remained almost completely unchanged.

Manual Application with the STOPGAP Pen

Applying the fluid manually is a straightforward process designed specifically for easy application on edged furniture parts.

• Prep and Apply: Remove the pen cap, attach the pen sponge, and place it on the surface. Lightly pull the pen along the desired area to apply the fluid.
• Wipe Excess: After about 15 seconds, any excess fluid should be carefully wiped off with a clean microfibre cloth.
• Cure Time: The applied hydrophobic agent must sit for 24 hours before the treated area is exposed to moisture. Curing is also possible at temperatures up to 176°F (80°C).
• Coverage: A single STOPGAP Pen offers approximately 200 to 300 linear meters of coverage.
• Storage: Close the cap directly after use to prevent the sponge from drying out. The pen should be stored tightly closed in its original case in an air-conditioned place, protected from sunlight, oxygenation, and heat.

Scaling Up: StopGap for Automated Edgebanders

For fully automated production and edge-banding lines, StopGap can be applied via automated edgebanding machines.

• Precision Application: A specialized spray system applies the water-repellent agent to the desired adhesive joint through precision fine nozzles.
• Optimized Settings: The system utilizes an optimal spray width of approximately four to five millimeters, sprayed from a distance of about 4-5mm between the workpiece and the material nozzle.
• Immediate Processing: Treated parts in the automated line can be processed immediately, increasing efficiency in your operation while being protected against the penetration of dirt, water, and steam over the long term.

By utilizing the STOPGAP edge seal, kitcen cabinet producers, lab furniture manufacturers can ensure maximum moisture resistance. Whether applied manually for custom kitchen cabinets or sprayed on fully automated edgebanding production lines, the STOPGAP system creates bonds that hold and edges that last.