Installation Tips (SOP)

KD ECO+ Laminates Handling, Installation & Finishing
Purpose & Scope
This procedure defines the steps and requirements for safe, high-quality handling, cutting, bonding, and finishing of KD ECO+ Laminates. It
applies to all installation teams, site supervisors, and quality inspectors.

What is ECO+ Laminates?

ECO+ Laminate is an innovative material made from environmentally friendly PP (polypropylene). It features a patented colour core layer
structure, effectively eliminating the frustrating issue of black edges. Making it suitable for various shapes. It can be bent into a minimum 10
cm diameter circle and can be easily cut with a utility knife.
Product Advantages
Here’s a summary of the advantages of ECO+ Laminates:
• Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
• No black edges or lines
• All items with the same uniform colour core layer
• Can be bent into curves
• Easy to work with for edge finishing
• High realism in wood grain
• Less likely to chip during cutting

Responsibilities

• Site Supervisor: Ensures substrate preparation, material lay-flat, and that installers follow this SOP.
• Installer: Carries out material handling, adhesive application, cutting, trimming, sanding, and caulking per this SOP.
• Quality Inspector: Verifies finished surfaces meet visual and dimensional standards before handover.
  Recommended Materials & Tools
• Tensorgrip L32 Contact Adhesive . Please refer to adhesive manufacturers
  TDS for application techniques in conjunction with this SOP
• Adhesive application tools: Spray gun/can or steel spatula/broad-knife
• Laminate application tools: TensorGrip Contact Adhesive Laminate Roller or similar
• Cutting tools: heavy-duty utility knife, guillotine, router, or table saw
• Cutting with a table saw ensures there are no frayed edges or breakage. A blade with 90 teeth or more is recommended, and you
  can use a weight on the opposite side to prevent the laminate lifting/shifting while cutting.
• Edge-trimming tools: laminate trimmer or fine-bladed knife. A utility knife is ideal for handling corners and small edge finishing,
  allowing for easy removal of excess material. When cutting, make the cut from the back, which reduces the time spent later
  sanding and finishing.
• Cutting blades and teeth can be lubricated to resist Polypropylene build up with WD-40
• Filing tools: metal file or scraper with flat blade
• Sandpaper: 400-grit wet/dry paper
• Caulking: H.B.Fuller approved Caulk in Colours
• Cleaning agents: Turpentine

Safety Precautions

• Wear gloves, safety glasses, and dust mask when cutting or sanding.
• Ensure adequate ventilation during adhesive spray application and turpentine use.
• Follow all MSDS guidelines for Eco+ Laminate, adhesives and cleaning agents.

STEP ONE | Pre-Installation Preparation

Acclimatization

• Unpack laminates and lay flat on a clean, level surface for at least 24 hours (longer if ambient humidity/temperature is at extremes)
  to make the lamination process easier to manage.

Substrate Inspection & Preparation

Confirm substrate is:

• Smooth (no raised imperfections)
• Flat (maximum deviation ≤ 0.5 mm over 1 m) or evenly curved
• Clean (free of dust, grease, debris)
• Dry (moisture content per manufacturer’s spec.)

STEP 2 | Adhesive Application

Preparation

• Prepare adhesive and the adhesive applicator as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Application Technique

• Apply a uniform, continuous coat to both laminate and substrate surfaces as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Avoid ridges and pooling. Lumps will telegraph through the finish.
• Allow tack-off time per adhesive datasheet (usually 5–15 minutes but varies per manufacturer).

Bonding

• Align laminate carefully; once surfaces touch, full repositioning is not possible. Add temporary supports to ensure the laminate
  only makes contact in a small designated area.
• Using a quality laminate roller, roll firmly to expel trapped air. Start from one side and gradually push to the other (similar to
  applying a phone screen protector). After sticking, roll again to ensure all air is thoroughly expelled.

STEP 3 | Cutting & Edge Trimming

Cutting

• Use heavy-duty knife, guillotine, router, or fine-toothed timber saw for rough cuts.
• Support laminate fully to prevent tear-out.
  

Edge Trimming

• Trim excess with laminate trimmer or a very sharp, straight-edged knife. Trim the laminate edge at 90 degrees. Trimming at a
  lesser angle may expose the foil edge and create a white line which becomes visible in the some darker colours.
  

Tool Maintenance After each cutting session:

• Wipe blades with a cloth dampened in turpentine.
• Spray with WD-40 to prevent resin build up and corrosion.

STEP 4 | Edge Finishing & Sanding

ECO+ Laminates has the same uniform colour core layer, which prevents the black edges and lines often seen in traditional melamine
laminates. You can finish the edges with the same laminate or use available matching edging, making installation easier and more visually
appealing.

Edge Filing & Scraping

• Remove any roughness with a metal file or scraper held flat against edge.

Sanding

• Dry-sand flush edges with 400-grit wet/dry paper.
  

Cleaning

• Wipe edges with a clean, lint-free cloth. Remove any excess adhesive with solvent on a soft cloth.

STEP 5 | Joint Filling & Final Inspection

Fill Joints

• If minor gaps remain, use Fuller approved colour caulk
• Tool the bead flush with a damp finger or spatula.
  

Cure Time

• Allow caulk to cure per manufacturer’s instructions (typically 24 hours).

Quality Check

• Inspect surface visually for uniform finish.
• Verify all edges are flush, joints invisible, and no adhesive blemishes exist
• Sign off installation checklist

Revision History | Version 1.0 | 6 July 2025 | 2nd release | End of SOP