Cage Plans for Adult Chondros

Applying Contact Paper

Click here for paper source

Step 1.  Using a cutting board and two straight edges, cut to size all the pieces of laminate for the cage parts, leaving an inch or so extra on both sides of the panels to trim off.  The paper comes in 18" wide rolls, so you will need to make an overlap joint on each cage panel.  Cut the overlap pieces 2-3" wider than needed to make a good overlap.  In the photo I've cut paper for six cages.

You can use the lines printed on the back of the paper as a cutting guide.  Using two straight edges helps hold down the paper while cutting, as it tends to want to curl up.

Step 2.  After you have cut the paper to size, begin applying it to the panels.  Start by making sure each panel is clean and free of dust.  Wiping the panel with a damp (not wet) car sponge works great.  You will be laminating the inside surface of the panels.

Step 3.  Peel back the first 3-4" of the paper backing, and crease it with your hand so it stays folded back.  Be careful to not bend or wrinkle the contact paper, or touch the sticky surface.

Step 4.  Turn the sheet over and carefully position it on the panel, making sure to leave enough excess to trim off.  Smooth the paper down with your hand, making sure to keep it flat with no bubbles or wrinkles.  If you make a mistake, pull the paper back up, correct it, and smooth back down.

Step 5.  Slowly pull the backing off the sheet with one hand while carefully smoothing the top surface with the other.  If you get a bubble, stop and correct it.  Try to avoid making any wrinkles, but if you do, pull back and fix them.  The rubberized paper is pretty forgiving as long as you don't crease it, at which point it makes a white mark.  With practice, the whole sheet can be applied to the panel in one smooth application with no flaws.

Step 6.  Next, apply the overlap piece using the same techniques.  Make the overlaps at the upper part of the sides and back so that water will run over the joint and not into it.

Step 7.  After both pieces of contact paper are applied, trim the edges using a utility knife with a new blade.  You will find that using the panel edge as a guide for the knife makes it easy to get a nice clean cut.

When doing the back, laminate over the vent holes, then carefully cut them out when trimming the edges.

The completed panel looks neat and clean with no defects.  The overlap joint is almost invisible in the completed cage, and is waterproof.  Complete the lamination of all panels before doing the back of the faceframe.

Step 8.  Laminate the frame's back side using the same techniques described for the panels.  Wipe the dust off with the damp sponge.  Overlap the frame's inside edge by about 1/4".

Next, make a cut along the inside corner of the paper, at each end, and fold the overlap neatly onto the frame inside edge.  Do not trim the paper that overlaps the wood joint...this will help waterproof the joint.

Proceed to apply the paper to both long sides of the frame first, followed by the two short sides, wrapping the paper 1/4" inside the frame edges.  Trim all four outside edges just like the panels.  Shown below is a finished panel.

You are now ready to assemble the cage.

Click here to go to assembly instructions

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