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17th May 2008, 10:30 am | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 643
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Reclaiming Veneer
Over the years I've found many a wooden cabinet with peeling veneer, but, try as I might, I have never been able to deliberately remove veneer from a scrap cabinet in order to store (hoard!) it for any future restoration. Has anybody successfully achieved this?
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Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality! |
17th May 2008, 1:25 pm | #2 |
Hexode
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 262
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Re: Reclaiming Veneer
Hi there.
It all depends what sort of glue was used. If it is the traditional hot animal-based glue (by which I mean hot glue which is animal based, not glue which is based on a hot animal), you should be able to soften it with a steam iron . Use an old tea-towel or similar between the iron and the veneer. Once the glue has softened, use a plastic wide-bladed scraper to peel it away from the backing wood. If it's a big piece you might have to reapply the heat part-way through the job. If you have to do this, put some greaseproof paper between the already-peeled part and the wood, or you'll just end up re-sticking the bits you've already done. I've used this successfully to get veneers off furniture in the past, and since you're using cabinets which would otherwise be scrapped, it won't matter if the plywood backing starts to delaminate.Once the veneer is off, it should clean up with hot water. You can then dry it flat between two boards. (use greaseproof paper again or you'll end up veneering the boards!) In one extreme case I used a steam wallpaper stripper in place of the iron - still worked but was more cumbersome and made more mess. Keep your hands out of the way of the steam - it ain't half hot! The above won't work if the veneer is more modern and fixed with a solvent based glue like EvoStick, which doesn't respond to heat. Good luck. Terry
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Terry the Morganist |
17th May 2008, 9:06 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,130
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Re: Reclaiming Veneer
I'm sure I read somewhere that you can just soak the wooden panels in a bath and the veneer will eventually separate ?
It can then be laid flat somewhere to dry Andy |
18th May 2008, 7:53 am | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 643
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Re: Reclaiming Veneer
Thanks Terry and Andy, I reasoned that as the stuff delaminates in damp conditions then it should come off by soaking, but I've had little success;perhaps I need to leave it longer(months!!!) I'm off to Woolworths for a £9.99 steam iron to try that method.For some reason MrsW was not keen to lend me hers!!
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Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality! |