Expert: Jamie Yocono - 3/3/2004

Question
Jamie, I am building a 2 foot high, one foot deep, four foot wide bookshelf (to be placed on the floor under a window).  I need to use some paper backed veneer I have (anigre highly figured wood) to match some existing pieces.  My questions are:  1) I will use MDF (Plumcreek) and want to use a contact cement but worry about the finish.  Will a finish of oil-molified polyurethane (normally used on floors) cause a problem with dissolving the contact cement?  If this is improper please suggest a method and materials that a novice might easily get and use.  Thanks in advance.  Walter

Answer
Walter,

Although some glue manufacturers will tell you that finishes won't dissolve their glue, I would never trust their word.  I have experience with just this sort of problem, and it's the general consensus that most woodworkers don't use contact cement with veneer. Contact cement allows for absolutely NO wood movement. And certainly by using MDF, there's not going to be much movement, but- IF the veneer moves any little bit, it will buckle and pull away.

There are a few other glues that you might try. First, a hot hide glue is what's recommended, but it's labor intensive and probably not worth the trouble, unless you're going to be doing a lot of veneering.

I would recommend trying some of the iron on "sheet" glues that are out there, especially made for veneering. They are heat activated, so you sandwich the glue between the MDF and the veneer and iron it down. If needed, you can reheat it and reposition or remove the veneer, so it's a repairable substance.

As far as where to get it, I would try one of the major woodworking supply houses, like Rockler or WoodCraft. They're all over the country, so there's probably one near you.  If all else fails, try Constantine's (www.constantines.com).  They specialize in veneering stuff, and I'm pretty sure I've seen it in their catalog.

And to address the other part of your question- YES, the contact cement will affect the finish of the veneer, even using a paper backed product. It often tends to bleed thru the pores of the wood, so achieving a good finish is difficult. Another reason not to use it!

OK, I hope this helps. Write back if you have any other questions,

Jamie Yocono
Wood it Is! Custom Cabinetry
Akron, OH