Veneer Bulges - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

taipai_royal · 8th Apr 2006, 9:05 pm

Hi guys, whats the best method to treat veneer bulge in a radio cabinet?
Regards Graham.

PWH · 12th Apr 2006, 5:36 pm

If it is an air bubble, use an iron with a wet teacloth over the veneer to reheat and soften the glue. Then hold it in a vice beween bits of ply until the glue cools and sets

Usually works for me!

Aerodyne · 12th Apr 2006, 6:44 pm

Peter is right, of course, but do bear in mind the likelihood of damage to the surface finish. This may not matter if you are refinishing anyway, but if not, you might like to think about gently slitting along the grain of the veneer over the blister with a razor blade, feeding some suitable adhesive under then clamping as per Peter's method until set. Unfortunately there's no guarantees

-Tony

taipai_royal · 17th Apr 2006, 10:12 pm

Thanks for your help Peter and Tony. The cabinet will have to be refinished, so I will give it ago with the iron method first. Keep your fingers crossed.
Regards Graham.

Ghostuser · 19th Apr 2006, 3:57 pm

I had lots of bulges and cracks in the veneer of a cabinet. I used a fine hypodermic syringe to run super glue under each bulge and then pressed the bulge flat, using a piece of clear polythene under my thumb to avoid the latter becoming glued to the job. You will need more than one needle as they will get blocked.
Good luck whatever you try.
Regards
Nigel

Norm_Leal · 20th Apr 2006, 4:01 am

Hi Graham

Using a needle is a good idea even if you don't add glue. Air will be trapped in the bubble. A hole made with the needle will release air when veneer is flattened. Without doing this you could end up with a bunch of smaller bubbles.

Norm

8th Apr 2006, 9:05 pm	#1
taipai_royal Pentode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Didcot UK Posts: 121	Veneer Bulges Hi guys, whats the best method to treat veneer bulge in a radio cabinet? Regards Graham.

12th Apr 2006, 5:36 pm	#2
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Re: Veneer Bulge If it is an air bubble, use an iron with a wet teacloth over the veneer to reheat and soften the glue. Then hold it in a vice beween bits of ply until the glue cools and sets Usually works for me!

12th Apr 2006, 6:44 pm	#3
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Veneer Bulge Peter is right, of course, but do bear in mind the likelihood of damage to the surface finish. This may not matter if you are refinishing anyway, but if not, you might like to think about gently slitting along the grain of the veneer over the blister with a razor blade, feeding some suitable adhesive under then clamping as per Peter's method until set. Unfortunately there's no guarantees -Tony

17th Apr 2006, 10:12 pm	#4
taipai_royal Pentode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Didcot UK Posts: 121	Re: Veneer Bulge Thanks for your help Peter and Tony. The cabinet will have to be refinished, so I will give it ago with the iron method first. Keep your fingers crossed. Regards Graham.

19th Apr 2006, 3:57 pm	#5
Ghostuser Pentode Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 137	Re: Veneer Bulge I had lots of bulges and cracks in the veneer of a cabinet. I used a fine hypodermic syringe to run super glue under each bulge and then pressed the bulge flat, using a piece of clear polythene under my thumb to avoid the latter becoming glued to the job. You will need more than one needle as they will get blocked. Good luck whatever you try. Regards Nigel

20th Apr 2006, 4:01 am	#6
Norm_Leal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Livermore, California, USA. Posts: 139	Re: Veneer Bulge Hi Graham Using a needle is a good idea even if you don't add glue. Air will be trapped in the bubble. A hole made with the needle will release air when veneer is flattened. Without doing this you could end up with a bunch of smaller bubbles. Norm