high gloss worktops

[fin]

Got to fit these in a couple of days time.

ive never fitted em before. and have heard people say they are a nightmare.

any advice guys?

i need to do 1 massons mitre joint (i will hire a router and jig as i dont yet own my own router)

1 hob cut out and sink cut out.

pretty standard really.

just worried about the easy scratchabillity (new word) of these worktops

[Gadget]

All those 'high gloss' tops show up scratches easily, so tread carefully!

[big-all]

i dont touch them
take loads off pictures
explain to them if they use there kitchen'have pets' have children are house proud then dont fit gloss
they show up every drip fine scratch finger print that normal tops dont show up

they will blame you as you fitted it they wont thank you after your 7th visit failed to sort the scratches

just warn them you will only come back for faulty instilation and not misuse at which point your reputation has gone out the window

[speed]

they scratch easy yes but you can get plastic protectors for them
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Paintin ... 150/sd3258
botton one.

use plenty of masking tape around cutouts etc

[Simon Site Manager]

Hi Fin,

It really depends on the quality of the laminate, I have chipped thin cheap laminate and then have had to doctor the chips. A good quality laminate and sharp router bits and you should be OK, just take your time.

S

[big-all]

people expect high gloss to be showy and as easy to use and keep clean as there old worktop
they dont realise its height maintainance and will show up all the scratches even ones the old worktop wouldnt show

i was talking about the fine scratches that they cause and assume faulty material because there old worktop wasnt that bad

[Mooncat]

We have glossy worktops. The main problem, "Slippery when wet".

[fin]

im worried about cutting the joints. ill be using a hired router. would having a hoover attached help?

ive just bought a new jig saw. (its not my job. im employed by the builder. just so no comebacks on me. plus i need a new jigsaw anyway lol) as mine didnt have a plastic base cover thingy

again having a hoover atached would that help?

when cuting the worktops ive got some clean towels to cover the saw tressels with.

ive fitted worktops loadsa times. but i bet im gonna be stressed here. (its been about 18 months since i did a kitchen)

cuting the worktops with a circular. go from the underside obviously and from the post formed edge.

and when routering i go with the way the router spins into the post formed edge. for the female side and away for the male yes?

(bear in mind im considering this after 7 pints and i dont need to fit them until friday )

[big-all]

cutting it is a doddle you just need slightly more care than a normal worktop to avoid surface scratches as these show more but appart from that its the same

[carhartt kid]

The tops should come with a protective film on them anyways which is enough to stop scratches when fitting. Leave that on when cutting and only remove when the whole lots been cut, glued and bolted! Obviously peeling back a little on youre mitres. Also tape up with loads of masking tape where youre cutting allowing extra for your jigsaw footplate for the sink and hob (which you probably know already). If you do get any scratches T-Cut gets hairlines out, bigger scratches you can fill with clear wax stick and buff out. For big cockups, polyester resin repair kits work quite well, but to be honest you'll be fine. I've done a fair few black granite effect high gloss tops and they never proved to be a problem. My biggest concern with these kinda tops is the hollow cavities behind the postform created during manufacture? Theyre a bitch if youre router cutter clips one and chips youre mason mitre! Go slow, router set to hyper speed, plenty of shallow passes and make sure you use a top quality, brand spanking new cutter. I always buy a new Trend fitters kit for every top I do! Oh and I also saw cut my straight cuts leaving 2mm on and then finish with the router! Leaves a cleaner edge for the lam strip!

Hope this helps.

[Simon Site Manager]

Be careful with hired worktop jigs, I hired one once and the pins had movement in the holes and someone had routed the guide side!

S

[fin]

yeah ill check the jig out. the shop i get em from use trend jigs. there pretty decent normally. hitatchi routers too. id rather a dewalt but itll do.

what comes in a trend fitters kit?

i normally buy a new trend router bit rather than use the one supplied with the jigs.

thanks for the advice on buffing out any scratches guys.

ohh and ive not looked yet. there wrapped in plastic so ill check to see if they have a clear cover thing on aswell.

[Hardip]

You could alternatively pick up a router cutter which has changeable blades, so you just need to through small blades away rather than the whole thing.

I picked mine up from axminster and it was around £30ish (50mm length, 1/2in router fitting).

Good luck with your project!

[carhartt kid]

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/productli ... packs.html

[fin]

well im hitting this job tomorra as i had to drop off for a few days waiting for the tiler. and had another job to go onto.

sometimes kitchens take the p*ss like.

spent all day saturday p*ssing about with the oven housing to get the oven and microwave to sit right.

how come they cant match units and apliances up.

by the way. i fookin hate these units from homebase. there absolute shite lol