I ve used contact cement the same kind used to apply laminate to a substrate.
How to apply copper sheeting to wood.
Apply the contact cement to the mdf and to the copper sheeting and wait 2 minutes.
Paint a thin layer of adhesive onto the entire etched surface of the copper sheet.
In a well ventilated area thoroughly wash the back side of the copper with water or acetone using a steel wool or synthetic steel wool scotch brite pad.
Cover both pieces and wait until tacky.
Gently scuff sand the back of the copper veneer with 80 or 120 grit sandpaper.
A few passes will do the trick.
To remove a crease set the copper on a clean and smooth surface.
Use a short piece of wood to bend the copper.
Apply the adhesive to the porous substrate with a glue roller.
Place the copper sheet on the dowels.
Lay the 1 4 inch dowels on the surface.
Use the snips to cut a slight angle into the edge that hasn t been bent yet then fold and hammer the last edges.
It is then time to center place and secure the copper sheet on the cupboard surface.
After lining up the copper.
Typically the adhesive is applied to both surfaces be sure to use plenty of adhesive as the wood substrate will absorb some of the adhesive then dowels will be placed on top of the substrate across the width and extending over the edge a bit and then the copper sheet placed over the top of the dowels.
Cut the copper sheet to size with scissors or tin snips so that it is the size of the mdf sheet plus another 3 inches on all sides.
Here are answers to the most common questions about copper veneer.
This will give something for the adhesive to grab onto.
Start with small bends all along the edge and progressively bend it sharper.
No two sheets are identical and each is an amazing work of art by itself.
Plastic sheeting over the entire copper sheet.
Put the copper over the wood with dowels in between.
Lay a sheet of 4 mil.
In fact the procedure was almost identical.
Then place a piece of vinyl material over the blemish and use the roller to flatten the wrinkle.
Best of all this copper is easy to use and requires no harmful chemicals.
The contact cement must cure for 10 to 20 minutes until both areas are very tacky.
Soak a rag in lacquer thinner and thoroughly polish the newly etched surface with it.
As for the adhesive just us west systems epoxy.
Spread it on the rough side of the copper like you would if you were spreading glue on a substrate for veneer.
Lay the copper sheet on top of the wood so that the two adhesive coated surfaces meet.
Imagine the reaction your family friends and customers will have when presented with a one of a kind copper veneer work of art.
Do not apply the adhesive to the copper.