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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood table warp/bubble

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Expert: - 9/27/2009


Question
I bought a gorgeous used table that is solid wood with a decorative wood venear on top.  The top had some minor scratches.  A cup was left on the table and the sweat leaked into the crack causing a bubble the size of a quarter.  I tried using a hot iron with wax paper and towels, but have had no luck.  Should I keep trying this or is there something else I can try?

Answer
Hi Tiffini, the hot iron trick only works if there's enough glue under the veneer to reactivate with the iron.....because it's likely hide glue, you need to dampen the area so as to be able to send some steam down to the glue level to make it sticky again, and then immediately clamp a block over the bubble before it starts to cool. The clamping is important, and the speed at which you get that clamp on is also important, so you need to arrange whatever clamping mechanism arrangement you'll need to use, and get it all laid out and ready to go before trying to steam down the bubble. Unfortunately, in order to get the veneer hot enough, you'll likely have to put a piece of foil over the veneer and apply the iron right to that. Often this will mar the finish, and the top will have to be restored or refinished.....but it is important to get the surface hot enough to reactivate the glue. If that doesn't work, then you'll have to make a razor cut in the bubble, and physically get some hide glue in there, and then clamp the bubble flat. This is a little more challenging to do right, and takes a little nerve and skill, but post back and let me know where you are- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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