how can I fix this without replacing it
Hello @mellawn
I propose a twostep approach. First, I suggest lifting the edging off the cabinet with a sharp chisel. Your goal is to get access to the water damaged panel. I recommend using https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-100ml-aquadhere-pva-wood-glue-interior-adhesive-100ml_p1230622 and pushing it into the water damaged section with a plastic scraper or popsicle stick. When you have pushed enough glue into the damaged section use a https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-300mm-2-piece-quick-action-clamp_p5860150 to compress the damaged section flat. Wipe away the excess glue with a damp rag. allow the adhesive to fully cure overnight.
Once the glue has cured you can then remove the clamps. I suggest using https://www.bunnings.com.au/gorilla-20g-super-glue-gel_p0381626 to anchor the edging back onto the side of the cabinet.
Let me call on our experienced members @Noyade, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Afternoon @mellawn
Is there any swelling in the timber? It kind of looks like the edge has been caught on something and pulled away more than water damage?
If there is no swelling I would be tempted to use your iron and a towel. (Update - Just had a second look at the pic and I can see a darkened area around the issue so I would still try the iron but head more towards what @EricL has suggested. )
Lay the towel so it hangs over the edge and then run a warm-hot iron over the towel back and fourth, The glue of the edging strip hopefully witll soften and rebond.
Dave
Hi @mellawn
Unfortunately this is a common occurrence with older/worn edged melamine shelving. The edge is often not durable enough to start with. With use dragging items out, bumping the edge when putting them back, especially with higher shelves causes the wear and/or the thin edge strip starts to pull away. This on its own can be repaired with new edge stripping. But it common in wet areas for some form of liquid spills, damp cloths, cleaning chemicals etc that get into the gaps causing the particle board within to swell. In bad situations this usually means replacement not repair.
In your case the swelling has gone deeper into the top of the particleboard by the discolouration of the top surface. Though this area can't be repaired, you can prevent it from further damage by sealing the front edge gap.
If the shelf is removable you could simply replace it. If it's fixed, then attempting some form of repair is required.
From experience in repairing this type of damage. Ironing the edge won't work, thats only when applying new edging to melt its adhesive backing to glue it in place. If the front white edge of the strip has popped out where the damage is, then you should be able to glue it back into place. Neither superglue or wood glue will perform this.
First run a length of painters tape along the top front edge top and bottom of the shelf to protect it from excellent glue. Then use a flat blade to pry the loose edge out just enough to apply an epoxy glue. You won't need a lot. Clamps won't be suitable to hold the edge into place. But once the glue is applied, use the tape to wrap the edge into place from the underside over to the top of the shelf tightly. Two or 3 strips will do the trick. Now wipe the excess with a damp wet rag and let the glue set over night. Remove the tape and seal the damaged top edge with this white wet area silicone.
Nailbag
