Veneer - cold press glue + vacuum bag - let glue get tacky?

[Mike Dowell]

I'll be veneering a panel soon. I've veneered multiple panels int he past using cold press(better bond) veneer glue and a vacuum bag. I was searching around on here a moment ago and came to a thread where someone(can't remember who) said he paints the glue on like latex paint, then waits for it to become tacky enough to leave a finger print. I've never done that. I've always rolled the glue on(fairly thick), laid the veneer down, and into the bag it goes.

Worst thing I've ever experienced is that the veneer starts to wrinkle badly once it hits the glue. I guess that's from the water content?

Anyway, to let get tacky or no not? - that is the question.

Actually, a second question: I still have a bunch of the better bond "very dark" glue. Do you think I'd have any problems using that under https://www.veneersupplies.com/products/AAA-Quartersawn-Walnut-European-Veneer-Lot--1025-x-875-4-Sheets-Per-Lot.html ???

I do very little veneering and I'd hate to buy another bottle of glue because it *will* go bad. Shelf life says 12 months.

[Steve Jenkins]

I apply the glue to the core with an adhesive roller from Home Depot or Lowe’s . Gives a nice even thin coat then into the bag.

[Mike Henderson]

I apply glue only to the substrate - that's to keep the moisture from the veneer as long as possible. Then place the veneer on the substrate and quickly into the bag and press.

However, I've had bad luck with cold press glue - don't remember the brand. I use white glue or urea formaldehyde mostly now. If the veneer is really a problem (with water), I'll use epoxy (no water).

Mike

[Mike Dowell]

I apply glue only to the substrate - that's to keep the moisture from the veneer as long as possible. Then place the veneer on the substrate and quickly into the bag and press.

However, I've had bad luck with cold press glue - don't remember the brand. I use white glue or urea formaldehyde mostly now. If the veneer is really a problem (with water), I'll use epoxy (no water).

Mike
White glue as in Elmer's School Glue???

What was your bad experience with cold press?

[Mike Henderson]

White glue as in Elmer's School Glue???

What was your bad experience with cold press?

Yes, that same white glue. You don't want to use it where the panel will get wet - but most furniture doesn't get really wet. You can use regular Titebond if you prefer but I think the white glue has a longer open time. For small things the open time isn't that important.

My bad experience with cold press is that it didn't adhere well and I had bubbles in the final product. The first time it happened I just assumed that I didn't use enough glue. So the next time I made sure I used enough. I still had places where the veneer wasn't glued (bubbles). Maybe I had a bad batch of cold press glue but I never used it again. And let me say that it was not that there was anything wrong with the veneer or the preparation of the substrate. I've done a lot of veneer work and I made sure everything was good, especially before the second try.

Mike

[John Sincerbeaux]

I use a mini foam paint roller 5”, and have been using gorilla glue more and more. Even on my Marquetry panels, Gorilla glue has been great. I roll both (lightly) substrate and veneer.
Cheers

[Mike King]

Don't let it go tacky -- you may lose the bond and then be stuck with attempting to resurrect it after the fact. A big issue with the cold press glue is the working time -- you don't have much, and depending on the complexity of the glue-up, it's size, and the pull capacity of your pump/venturi, you can run out of time and wind up with all sort of veneer adhesion problems.

Wrinkling most probably is due to too much glue, too much time, or too little pressure. You want a good layer that is enough, but not too much. The rollers suggested above are a good way to get an even coat, but be wary of going too heavy.

Walnut over dark glue is fine, most likely. Be careful that the glue isn't too old.

Adhesion problems are a big pain in the butt, so err on the side of care.

[Mike Henderson]

I use a mini foam paint roller 5”, and have been using gorilla glue more and more. Even on my Marquetry panels, Gorilla glue has been great. I roll both (lightly) substrate and veneer.
Cheers

I've been using Gorilla glue for veneer repair - since it adheres to just about anything. I'll have to try it for original work. Thanks for your post.

Mike