Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/4/2006

Question
the wood panel (top half side of one wood panel) is warped.  although I can get glue inside it or if need be take off the whole panel, i am scared that if i put some weights or champs on it, it will split or crack.  is there a way to soften the wood?  what should i do?
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have an old radio (about 60 years old) that I bought and whose wood was fine.  No seperation, etc.  The veneer looked as it bubbled in the middle of one panel on the side.  I then moved the radio to my office, which is warmer, and the bubble went donwn but the panel is still warped a bit overall.  how can i restore this, and prevent it from happening again? thanks in advance.
-----Answer-----
Hi Tom
Nice to hear from you.
This type of veneer damage is caused from humidity and dry conditions back and forth till the veneer cannot take the pressure and releases.
Easy enough to fix this with some wood glue and clamps or whatever you can come up with to put lots of pressure on the damaged area till the glue dries.
You will have to force the glue under the veneer by whatever means you can. If the veneer is not actually split and you cannot get under the damaged area from the bottom, you must create an entry place in the bubble with a sharp utility knife. Just a straight cut to get a thin blade under to spread the glue.
I have a thin long metal spreader that slips under the veneer to get the glue well spread. Its important not to miss any of the veneer with the glue or you can create a worse problem.
Also place a paper towel over the glued area before clamping or applying weight.
This will absorb any glue squeeze and stop the weight from sticking to your repair. Yes you could have paper towel stuck to your repair LOL, but its easy to remove with a bit of steel wool.
Climate control will stop veneer lifting.
Keep furniture away from direct heat and sun and out of damp places.
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen

Answer
Hi again Tom
Now I understand what you are up against.
Not just lifted veneer but buckled.
And yes be concerned that the veneer will split or crack if you apply a lot of weight or clamps at this time.
Its a real problem. If you dampem the wood it will expand more and if its too dry its more prone to break.
I have made this repair many many times over the years, but always in conjunction with refinishing the entire piece.
And in the case of buckled veneer, I strip the finish off that area prior to gluing as it gives the veneer more flexibility.
Certainly not suggesting you do that to your lovely radio though Tom.
The only other thing that comes to mind would be to not glue right away and place a small weight on the damage and
keep increasing the weight till the veneer is flat.
This should not break the veneer if its done gradually over time.
And be aware Tom that sometimes nothing works because the veneer has expanded too much and will just not fit in the place it did.
In that case I have had to remove the excess very carefully with a utility knife and straight edge.
Good Luck
Eileen