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Will self-adhesive vinyl wrap stick well to Formrite Formply's surface?

Hi.

I'm constructing a full-sized Iron Man Alcove. Yes, really. And I am using 3d-look and other metallic vinyl wraps for effects.

To stick, these need a smooth surface, such as laminated panels used in kit furniture products. The issue is, I need a solid piece of wood for the back of the alcove and the kit I'm looking at buying from Bunnings, only has the flimsy 3mm ply. So I'm looking at buying a 2400mm x 1200mm x 17mm piece of Formrite-Formply, from you for the back. But, as this piece has the most important vinyl wrap decal, I need to know if there will be issues with the adhesive clinging well to such a surface.

Do you know?

Thanks.

Zach

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @zachorazor. It's marvelous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about vinyl wrap.

Without having actually performed the test with your types of vinyl and formply, then I don't think anyone is going to be able to be 100% confident in their answer. However, I'm confident that vinyl or self-adhesive film would stick well to formply. You might want to wipe it down with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water to remove any residue on it and then ensure it is entirely dry before you apply your film.

It's always best to do a test section if possible, to determine it's suitability.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

zachorazor

The reason I have for particular concern is that my understanding is that this formply is coated to resist concrete and other things that might ordinarily stick to a smooth surface, is that not the case? So, this is why I thought I'd ask before spending all the money just for a completely trial and error approach.

In other words, does this type of formply specifically resist adhesive surfaces, and could this be an issue in my case?

Cheers,

Thanks for replying.

EricL

Hello @zachorazor

I can only relay to you my experience regarding Formply, even with the resin-impregnated paper on top of the panel the manufacturer still states that a release agent must be used on the surface in order to prevent moisture ingress and bonding. I've used it for various projects involving concrete and it is ideal as it releases its hold on concrete once the clamps or screws are removed. I suggest exploring other options as the surface finish might not be compatible with your vinyl wraps.

Have you considered using plywood and sanding its surface to get a perfect finish. You can fill the surface with UNi-PRO 500g Multi Purpose Interior Filler - 500g in order to get a better finish.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Mornning @zachorazor

I think it would be hard to know how well your vinal wrap decal will bond, I would probarly test a small area first and see how it clings to it. (Sometimes there are offcuts in the timbercut for sale bin at Bunnings)

Another option would be to go with the laminated ply and glue that to some thicker plywood to get the strength and also the smoothness you require.

inBuilt 3 x 2400 x 1200mm Black Texture Pre Finished Melamine Backing Board

liquid nail it to

SpecRite 2400 x 1200 x 17mm Film Faced Non Structural Plywood

The price will be in the same ballpark but the surface of the material may match more of what you want (And also if you buy the 3mm stuff in a smaller size, it will be cheaper to test)

Dave

MitchellMc

Hi @zachorazor,

Formply is coated with a slick, non porous surface (like laminate), which is why concrete does not stick to it. Stickers, vinyls and decals typically have no issues sticking to ultra-smooth and slick surfaces. In fact, they much prefer those to rough surfaces. Think of a highly buffed car that gets coated in vinyl wrap. That's far slicker than the coating on formply. However, there might be a bit of an oil on the surface, which you should wipe off first.

As mentioned by @Dave-1, take a piece of the vinyl wrap into a store and test it on a sheet.

Mitchell

Nailbag

Hi @zachorazor

Sorry but without having done this myself, I would have to agree with the other posts that you will need to do a test run first. I do think it should be achievable though with some prep to the formply surface like roughing it up with sandpaper. So, maybe try that on the test run.

Nailbag

zachorazor

Thanks for your helpful thoughts on my project, based on your knowledge.

zachorazor

That's an interesting idea. I'll look into the melamine Backing Board, but I tend to make a mess with liquid nails and need this backing to look straight and solid. But I appreciate the creative approach.

zachorazor

I'm of a similar mind. I think a test run might have to be the way. Thanks again.

zachorazor

Thanks. Yeah. I'll have to find an inexpensive way to give it a try.

zachorazor

Bunnings don't sell 2400 x 1200 melamine covered sheets over 1.5mm thick do they, as that would be exactly what I'm after? I couldn't find anything that big, but worth asking here, I guess.

zachorazor

It would be a lot more work than I'm willing to put in to prep plywood to be able to take this surfacing. The manufactures all say it doesn't work on plywood, so I'd basically be converting it to another surface, and I'd really rather be able to find a surface, if possible. But if it's not, it's a thought I've looked into, but looks beyond my time for purpose. Cheers though. The effort of trying to help here, from you and others is deeply appreciated.

MitchellMc

We have melamine panels that are 16mm thick @zachorazor, such as the 16 x 2400 x 1200mm White Matt Carcass Particleboard MR.

Mitchell

zachorazor

Oh. Wow. I couldn't find them when I searched. That sounds pretty darn perfect, if I can find a store that will cut one down to 2000 x 900.

I should have no trouble sticking to that. It's a smooth surface, yes?

The 'carcass' is a bit Halloweeny though. Should I be worried, in the night? 🙂

That's so brilliant. Thank you!

zachorazor

Will the Matt finish cause me problems, or will it be just as good as when most cabinets need to be covered with this stuff, do you think?

Cheers,

zachorazor

Yikes, see review pic. Probably just a bad batch or got wet in transit. But are there any other 1200 x 2400 Melamine sheets with over 10mm widths, or with laminate/melamine along even one long side? I need to be able to screw fairly close to the edge and at that weight I'll need the wood to take the screws.

I really appreciate your help. I'll definitely share pics when it's all done.

Review of Melamine sheet.png

EricL

Hi @zachorazor

Yes, the surface is smooth, and I don't think the matt finish will be an issue. Just remember to clean the surface and make sure that it is free of oil and grease. One of the main reasons for the edge of the melamine to get ruined is if it was exposed to water or hit with extreme force. Quite often the edge is nice and straight, but if you're worried about structural strength, I suggest using timber support on the corners. If done properly you can keep the support visually hidden.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

zachorazor

Thank you for your reply, again.

I'm keen to know...

Would these be other alternatives, as options I could consider for this purpose? I'm trying to get a good strength to weight ratio. Any you think are the best/worst options of these? Cheers.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-2400-x-1200-x-17mm-film-faced-non-structural-plywood_p0340319

https://www.bunnings.com.au/james-hardie-2400-x-1200-x-9mm-2-88m-versilux-lining_p0086824

https://www.bunnings.com.au/9mm-mdf-panel-standard-2400-x-1200mm_p0590056

(Would this surface be less likely to suit my vinyl wrap's purpose do you think?)

https://www.bunnings.com.au/customwood-6-x-2400-x-1200mm-white-backing-board-mdf-e0_p0501099

(This one's only 6mm, maybe too thin?)

Your opinion would be gold to me, if you have the time to have a look at these.

Thanks for your help. Getting close to getting this last structural piece: the back panel. I bought the shell from Bunning a couple of weeks ago.

MitchellMc

Hi @zachorazor,

I'd still be inclined to believe the vinyl would adhere best to porous coatings, such as the film-faced plywood or the Customwood 6mm white backing board. The Versilux is a cement sheet, so I don't think that would work well at all, and I don't believe the vinyl adhesive would adhere well to the bare MDF.

The 6mm white MDF would need to be secured sufficiently to keep it flat, and it might be too thin.

Mitchell

zachorazor

Thanks. I appreciate your insights.

It apparently doesn't stick to unprepped plywood, but does to countertops and kits, such as melamine surfaces. So I'm zerioing in now.

I appreciate your thoughts on the 6mm. It's a huge piece and a one-piece decal and it would need to not warp, so sadly, I agree. A 10mm piece would probably suit me perfectly, but no luck there.

Cheers.

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