What Is Melamine - Schulte Classica Series Manual

What is melamine?

Melamine is s clear resin used in the finishing process on particleboard, although
most people use melamine to describe the board.
Schulte uses particleboard with melamine applied. How does this process work?
The board starts out as particleboard, the same type of board used for desktops and
countertops. A vinyl sheet is stretched across the board and coated with the clear
melamine resin. Then, under heat and pressure, the melamine resin fuses the vinyl
to the board. As the board cures, the melamine creates a hard outer coating.
The result:
• The finish is scratch and stain resistant
• The finish is chemically bonded to the wood so that it is impossible to
separate them
Caution: There are many different qualities of particleboard, melamine and vinyl.
There also are different amounts of pressure and temperature that can be applied.
All of these variables control the quality of the board we use!
The top grade available is known as "furniture grade," and SCHULTE only
uses furniture grade melamine!
To check for furniture grade material:
• Check the density of the board by examining the unfinished side. It should
have small particles and heavy density. It should not have large particles
and lots of air.
• Take a quarter and scratch the material. You should not be able to damage
it.
• Mark the board with a pencil and clean with a non-abrasive cleaner. It will
clean easily and completely.
SCHULTE Classica Installation Training Page 2