Laminated Wood Veneer, Bubbled or Loose Veneer Home Repair [video]

Veneer Troubles

Any piece of furniture that has a wood laminate or veneer finish is subject to a number of types of damage. As this material ages the changes in humidy, temperature, or damage from injury, can cause the laminate to loosen (pull away) from the base wood it has been adhered to. Blistering—little bubbles that form under the laminate surface—is another most likely trouble. These two problems (or defects) are generally pretty easy to repair, but you want to fix loose and/or bubbled veneer as soon as possible and before the problem gets really bad. Today, we will be discovering how to repair these troubling veneer issues easily at home.

Because veneer is brittle and actually really delicate, any minor damage can quickly turn into a serious, and even an irreparable problem if not attended to right away. Loose veneer, as an example, is more likely to split and chip when it is lifted away from the wood base then when securely glued down. Let's take a look at how to repair the two most common veneer issues:

1. Loose Veneer
2. Bubbled (blistered) Veneer

Before we get started working on loose veneer, remember that this material is very thin and can easily be broken and needs some special precautions. So, the first thing you want to do before beginning ANY type of veneer repair is:

Get The Veneer Pliable (before starting any of the work)

Place a damp cloth on top of the laminate area you will be working on. Next, place a hot iron on the cloth. This will force moisture into the veneer, which makes it more flexible and much less likely to split or crack as you do your repair.

Repair Loose Laminate Veneer

• After steaming moisture into the laminate, carefully scrape out the old glue from off of the base wood and the back of veneer using a small knife, working it back as far as you safely can get it to go.
• If the glue just won't come off, squeeze hot water from a sponge under the loose piece of veneer. The water will eventually melt the glue so you can then remove it using the knife. Wipe off any excess moisture.
• Re-attach the veneer by adding fresh white (wood) glue, then put a piece of plastic over the repaired area. This keeps any glue that squeezes out from sticking to whatever clamping device you use to hold the repair in place while the glue sets (about 8 hours).
• After the glue has set, wash off any excess glue from the surface using a hot water soaked sponge.
• If you don't have an actual clamping device, you can substitute by winding masking tape around the repaired area.
• If you don't have a clamp, and the tape won't work, simply use a weight—sandbag, or tool box— to secure the area until the glue sets. Allow the glue to set for about 8 hours no matter which technique for boding you use.

Just like with loose veneer, you will need to get the material pliable so you can work with it free of further damage. Here's a reminder:

Get The Veneer Pliable (before starting any of the work)

Place a damp cloth on top of the laminate area you will be working on. Next, place a hot iron on the cloth. This will force moisture into the veneer, which makes it more flexible and much less likely to split or crack as you do your repair.

Repair Bubbled Wood Laminate Veneer (flattening a bubble)

• After steaming the laminate material to get it pliable, place a damp cloth over the bubbled (blistered) area. Then, cut a slit into the top of the bubble.
• Press on the bubble to allow any excess air to escape through the slit.
• Squeeze white (wood) glue into the slit, making sure to get the glue on both the underside of the veneer and the wood base.
• Press the veneer back into place.
• If you don't have a clamp, or masking tape won't work, use any weighted item (sandbag, tool kit, tackle box, etc.) to secure the bond.
• Let the glue set for about 8 hours.
• Wipe any excess glue off using a sponge soaked with hot water. Be sure to dry off any excess water, so not to cause further damage.

I hope you found the simple techniques for repairing your own veneer promising. I was able to restore an old side table so it could be used in our family room, and not tossed into the garage sale pile! Although, it would have brought us a much higher price with the repairs completed...hmm. Maybe repairing veneer can be a money making venture after all!