Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/23/2009

Question
i have a drop-leaf gate-legged table and one of the drop leafs veneer has warped, or started pulling away from the edge and there is a noticeable "bubble" or hump. can it be repaired and how? thank-you

Answer
Hi Donna
Nice to hear from you.
Yes this repair can be made but its tricky for the do it yourselfer.
If you really value the table, veneer repair is always best left in the hands of a pro. But if its just an old table you can do it yourself if you can assemble half a dozen C clamps and two boards that are larger than the damaged area and as wide as the table leaf.
Have you determined why the veneer has warped?
Has the table been exposed to dampness or has it been exposed to full sun or direct heat source?
The reason for the damage must be eliminated too.
First off its important to determine if the veneer will press back into its proper place. If its badly warped it may be beyond repair.
So try to press it down with your hands. See if it wants to go back into place.
Hopefully it will.
You must remove the drop leaf from the table to work on it.
While its off you must make absolutely sure the leaf itself has not warped.
You must get glue under every bit of the veneer in order for it to stick back properly. Use a good carpenters glue.
A long flat blade is great forcing the glue under the veneer.
After that you must clamp the table leaf firmly between two boards while the glue dries.
I like to cover the veneer with wax paper or such like before I put the clamping boards in place to prevent sticking.
Overall this sounds like a simple procedure Donna but its not.
If the veneer has not gone exactly back to its original spot and the glue dries you have a mess.
So be advised.
Something else to think about...if we never try these things we never learn..I say go for it if its just an old table LOL.
Very best of Luck
Regards
Eileen