We have just had tiles laid in the bathroom and this has meant that the thin, flexible plastic front that sits between the shower tray and tiles (a gap of about 4 inches) is now slightly too big (the tiles were thicker than the previous ones). Does any one know the best way to trim off a smidge of this moulded plastic? I'm not too sure if a saw/stanley knife/scissors/jigsaw would be best.
Many thanks, OLTB.
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Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
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- Lemon Quarter
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- Lemon Quarter
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
Assuming a straight edge, use such as a Faithfull laminate scoring knife.
This has a double ended Tungsten Carbide tipped blade and a contoured handle for good grip.
Support the plastic on a flat surface and draw gently along a guide until it cuts through.
https://www.thedecoratingstore.co.uk/image/cache/data/products/faithfull/faithfull-laminate-scoring-knife-double-end-tc-blade-600x600.JPG
This has a double ended Tungsten Carbide tipped blade and a contoured handle for good grip.
Support the plastic on a flat surface and draw gently along a guide until it cuts through.
https://www.thedecoratingstore.co.uk/image/cache/data/products/faithfull/faithfull-laminate-scoring-knife-double-end-tc-blade-600x600.JPG
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
csearle wrote:An oscillating multi-tool maybe?
I would not use any powered tool, this stuff is very prone to cracking. An ordinary wood hand-saw (long) used at a shallow angle or hacksaw blade (wrap cloth round half the blade) but take your time and support along the whole length.
HTH
C
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
Rather than wrapping a cloth around a blade, I find one of these very useful.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-DIY-10373-Handy-Blade/dp/B003D0GFVC/ref=pd_lpo_60_lp_img_3/254-3998996-9683031?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DFKQN52EJE1QMYJVK04Z
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-DIY-10373-Handy-Blade/dp/B003D0GFVC/ref=pd_lpo_60_lp_img_3/254-3998996-9683031?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DFKQN52EJE1QMYJVK04Z
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
I found the supplied one was very flimsy and trimming it made it worse.
I went to a local double glazing uPVC place and paid about a fiver for a length of window trim that was the right width and about 6mm thick.
There was a bit of faffing getting a bend set into it involving a bowl of hot water and IIRC a hairdryer, but I then fixed a couple of wood blocks to sit behind it and glued it in place and it has been fine for about 6 years.
I went to a local double glazing uPVC place and paid about a fiver for a length of window trim that was the right width and about 6mm thick.
There was a bit of faffing getting a bend set into it involving a bowl of hot water and IIRC a hairdryer, but I then fixed a couple of wood blocks to sit behind it and glued it in place and it has been fine for about 6 years.
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- Lemon Pip
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
There was a bit of faffing getting a bend set into it involving a bowl of hot water and IIRC a hairdryer, but I then fixed a couple of wood blocks to sit behind it and glued it in place and it has been fine for about 6 years.
Was yours a quadrant shower base? We had the identical problem of having to shorten the trim due to tiles installed later on. I tried all sorts, but the stuff is fairly fragile and over time the bend at the top is full of cracks. I'm wondering if yours was bendable to about a 14 inch radius ?
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Re: Cutting thin upvc for shower tray
martint123 wrote:There was a bit of faffing getting a bend set into it involving a bowl of hot water and IIRC a hairdryer, but I then fixed a couple of wood blocks to sit behind it and glued it in place and it has been fine for about 6 years.
Was yours a quadrant shower base? We had the identical problem of having to shorten the trim due to tiles installed later on. I tried all sorts, but the stuff is fairly fragile and over time the bend at the top is full of cracks. I'm wondering if yours was bendable to about a 14 inch radius ?
It was a quadrant so the bend was quite shallow, about 800mm radius. The uPVC I used was about 6mm think.
As both our showers are quadrant (as is my mum's) it hadn't occurred to me that the OP might have had a square one.
P
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