Can you overheat iron-on edging strips with a domestic iron?
by 
Doubly Ugly
ANSWERS: 3
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Yes you can, I've scorched a few feet myself. I may even have completly melted the glue away. A domestic iron can get too hot Best bet is to gain experience, practice a bit, and use the lowest setting that will melt the glue without scorching the wood. The setting may not be the same every time depending on the edging, the ambient temp, the substrate etc. It is better to have the iron at a lower temp and just heat a short section at a time, moving the iron over the short section and let the heat build up, then press that section into place; rather than trying to heat the area or entire strip all at once at a higher temp.Try not to use the iron to press the edging into place, that just keeps the iron in contact for a longer time, and of course the glue won't set till it cools anyway. Heat the strip, in place, then use a roller or a piece of wood softer than the wood of the strip to press it down. Keep rolling or pressing till the glue sets. Oh, sometimes I run the iron along the edge without the strip in place to prewarm it, again not too hot.
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As a domestic iron on a high setting can easily singe cotton, which is 90% cellulose, it is also capable of doing the same to most other cellulose containing organic compounds such as wood. Obviously, the same setting is well capable of melting synthetics, such as Nylon – which melt at temperatures of around 190C to 245C. I’ve always found that ironing through a damp handkerchief or tea towel gives best results because the steam vapour limits the temperature (more or less) to 100C, the boiling point of water, which seems to be sufficient to melt most ‘iron on’ adhesives without damage to the actual material. If you are worried that steam may effect the glue bond, a piece of clean (unprinted) paper also does the trick. Best of luck.
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Thank you. It's a shame I can only give 2 points!
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