Contact paper is used for so many different home projects these days! I’ve used it to line the wood shelves in my kitchen, cover an old table that’s used for crafting, line the drawers of furniture pieces, cover an old filing cabinet and the list goes on!
Is there a right and wrong way to apply contact paper? Not really, but there are a few tips you need to know. This post isn’t about HOW to apply contact paper. I’ve got a full post about that with a video tutorial. Rather, this post is about how to make it stick to wood. So let’s chat.
Applying self-adhesive paper or adhesive contact paper to real wood surfaces like kitchen cabinets isn’t hard, but if you don’t prepare the surface correctly, it won’t stick! Here my list of some of the easiest ways to get great results:
1. Prepare a Paper Template:
It’s always a good idea to use a paper template first. You can use plain paper to trace the area you want to cover, especially if the shape is irregular. This helps you create accurate paper patterns before cutting your contact paper.
This isn’t necessary if you are covering a simple pattern like a square, but for corner cabinets and other trickier areas, a paper template works wonders! Not to mention you reduce the risk of wasting your contact paper.
2. Clean the Surface:
The best way to make sure the contact paper sticks is to have a clean surface. Wipe the wood thoroughly to remove dust, grease, or residue. If you applied any hair sprays or cleaning products in the last week or couple of weeks, make sure no sticky residue is left.
One of my favorite products to clean a wood surface is Krud Kutter. It really cuts through grime that other cleaners can’t touch.
3. Applying Small Pieces:
For tricky areas or corners, consider cutting the contact paper into small pieces. This makes it easier to handle and reduces air bubbles.
4. Extra Adhesion:
If you find that the adhesive contact paper doesn’t stick well to wood, especially if it’s unfinished or textured, try using spray mount (or any other spray adhesive) for extra hold. Lightly spray the wood before applying the contact paper.
There are a few downsides to using extra adhesives; they make removing air bubbles harder, once you lay the paper down, you can’t adjust it, and removing the contact paper becomes a big mess. Keep this in mind before using an extra adhesive.
5. Finishing Touches:
Smooth out the paper as you apply it, using a credit card or squeegee. Start in the middle and work your way out. For stubborn edges, you can carefully use a hair dryer to warm the adhesive, which helps it bond better.
Hope these tips help you ensure a successful project.