[VAC] Re: veneer repair

["Carol and Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you can clamp it, work some Franklin waterproof wood glue (yellow glue
like Elmer's, but highly water resistant) into the separation (could even
thin it slightly with water) and clamp until dry.  If possible, use a wooden
handscrew to clamp (large surface area) or a backup block of wood between
the surface and the clamp.  Placing a sheet of waxed paper over the repaired
wood surface will minimize sticking to the clamp or wood block if any glue
oozes out.  The above repair will be a lot stronger than contact cement.

Contact cement is useful if you are trying to glue a large THIN sheet to a
substrate and where the glue joint will be thin.  Remember, contact cement
is in reality liquid rubber, so a very thin glue line is essential.  Also,
be sure the contact cement is sufficently dry before joining the two
surfaces together,  There should be almost no "tack" to the dried cement.
To get the most pressure on the veneer (using contact cement) rub the
surface, with as much pressure as you can muster, with the 90 degree edge
(corner of a soft piece of wood such as pine 3/4" thick by 3" x 8" or so).
The "line" contact of the rubbing block will maximixe the pressure, yet not
damage the surface.

If you get in trouble with contact cement, you can softent it with heat,
using a hair drier and immediately appling pressure with the rubbing block
as above.

Oliver Filippi
Commercial cabinetmaker in a former life