Question mdf substrate and melamine finish with wood grain

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cwiser

cwiser

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
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Jun 10, 2008
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The Colony Texas
I have a customer requesting an mdf moulding with a melamine wood grain finish. They aren't asking for a "mica" finish which is what I thought at first. My question is has anyone heard of this or is my customer perhaps confused on teh description of what they are after? My framerica rep was my first bet on getting an answer but he hasn't heard of this either, at least not described as "melamine".
 
That's what I'm thinking. I knew I had heard of Melamine but not in picture framing? I beleive they are just mis-identifying what they have. Definitly need to speak with them a little more. I'm getting the info second so there's room for error for sure.
 
What is the purpose of the MDF core?

Whey do they specify melamine?

I ask this because Universal has a line of mouldings with a foil wood grain (in a variety of profiles/finishes) on a sustainable (non MDF) core that is about as good as it gets. We use it extensively for healthcare as it is very durable (as durable as a melamine surface) and very easy to work with. And the yield has almost been 100% - don't let the "Universal" name put you off for this product, it is excellent.
 
I believe that “melamine” is the material used on the surfaces of Gatorboard. The core is not MDF, though.
 
I found the wikipedia definition for melamine as well, I realize it's used in the process of making formica, which is what I beleive they actually need. I did contact framerica and my rep knew nothing of melamine. we are contacting our customer to try and determine exactly what they really mean. All I know is the request sent to me was to quote the job using an MDF substrate ( no problem there) but it needs a wood grain melamine finish? More or at least clearer information is needed. I thank you all for your responses, it pretty well confirmed what I was thinking. Just a difference in terminology I expect.
 
Chris, as a former cabinet maker, I would suggest that in the generic, that most of Framericas BW moulding would qualify.

We referred to Formica etc like used on kitchen counter tops as 'high pressure laminate" still a melamine. A high pressure laminate consists of a color layer and then multiple kraft layers giving it thickness. Then the resins are applied and pressure.
"Low pressure" laminates are basically just the color layer, think of those low cost, put em together yourself bookshelves.

Those are not exactly the industry specs. but in terms a layperson can relate to. So again I would say that Framerica BW mouldings qualify as a MDF core with a melamine / low pressure face paper.
 
Don't get caught up in the "details". Just as people blow their nose into a kleenex and make a xerox; Kleenex is a manufacture and the brick on their corporate headquarters is anything but "soft and pliable and gentle on the nose"--they mean "facial tissue" no matter who the mfgr. And it's a "photocopy" even if the machine is a Xerox manufactured photo copier.

Most people use terms that "sound good" or "sounds like what I need" and have no idea that is not quite right.
Perception is "MDF" is anything from Particle board to HPL with Medium Density Fiberboard falling in the middle.
"Melamine" is the call out probably because they say it in Home Depot and heard the word on the news. "Foil" is also a generic term used about "Wood wrapped moulding"..... which I've see ranging from the old Framica that de-laminated at temps over 140 in homes closed up for the hot summer months.... to bad looking Christmas paper wrap . . . to high end photo printed heat transfer foil.

If you have some Bonanza Wood on your wall.... show it to them and see if they don't respond with "yeah, thats it".
 
Baer Charlton said:
Don't get caught up in the "details". Just as people blow their nose into a kleenex and make a xerox; Kleenex is a manufacture and the brick on their corporate headquarters is anything but "soft and pliable and gentle on the nose"--they mean "facial tissue" no matter who the mfgr. And it's a "photocopy" even if the machine is a Xerox manufactured photo copier.

Most people use terms that "sound good" or "sounds like what I need" and have no idea that is not quite right.
Perception is "MDF" is anything from Particle board to HPL with Medium Density Fiberboard falling in the middle.
"Melamine" is the call out probably because they say it in Home Depot and heard the word on the news. "Foil" is also a generic term used about "Wood wrapped moulding"..... which I've see ranging from the old Framica that de-laminated at temps over 140 in homes closed up for the hot summer months.... to bad looking Christmas paper wrap . . . to high end photo printed heat transfer foil.

If you have some Bonanza Wood on your wall.... show it to them and see if they don't respond with "yeah, thats it".
Click to expand...

That's funny because that is exactly what I thought and suggested. This request is from someone in their chain of command that "thinks" he knows what he's talking about but probably doesn't. We have done work for this company for a year using Bonanza Wood and have had no trouble however now it's a new year and there is a new person in charge. He wants to re-quote the job, which I understand, but somewhere he has heard this term and is now asking for it. We'll send the samples and see what happens. My guess is we'll be using the Bonanza as before. Thanks Baer it's good to know that people with far more knowledge than I are thinking the same thing.
 
j Paul said:
Chris, as a former cabinet maker, I would suggest that in the generic, that most of Framericas BW moulding would qualify.

We referred to Formica etc like used on kitchen counter tops as 'high pressure laminate" still a melamine. A high pressure laminate consists of a color layer and then multiple kraft layers giving it thickness. Then the resins are applied and pressure.
"Low pressure" laminates are basically just the color layer, think of those low cost, put em together yourself bookshelves.

Those are not exactly the industry specs. but in terms a layperson can relate to. So again I would say that Framerica BW mouldings qualify as a MDF core with a melamine / low pressure face paper.
Click to expand...

jPaul,

Thanks for the insight and again it's good to know that people who really know this stuff are thinking as I am. It's all just terminology I beleive. We're submitting the Bonanza wood and waiting for their response. Thanks again!
 
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