Thread: Preventing glue bleeding through veneer

I've used West System epoxy with Microfibres mixed into it to thicken it up and prevent bleed through, worked a treat but takes longer to go off than PVA...

Interesting. I can think of too many reasons not to use epoxy when glueing down veneers, but it might be worth experimenting with some microfibres or microballoons in PVA. My main concern is that it will probably reduce penetration and hence reduce the bond - I"ll do some tests.

Thinking about this, I'm also wondering if maybe there is something you can put on the veneer, either the glue side or the face side, which stops the glue penetrating, or maybe stops it spreading once it has penetrated.

cheers
Arron

I never had a problem using West System. Any bleed through easily scraped of with a cabinet scraper.

What makes you say not to go near epoxy on veneers?

Originally Posted by carpoid

I never had a problem using West System. Any bleed through easily scraped of with a cabinet scraper.

What makes you say not to go near epoxy on veneers?

My main objections are cost, handling time, curing time and toxicity. Im not doubting it has a good bond. Having made three boats with epoxy I'm fairly familiar with it, and dont think its well suited to doing small periodic but frequent jobs - at least not when theres a ready-made that will do the job.

Arron

Fair enough, not that i agree on all your points, but as you don't want to use it, how about Cascamite? At least you can thicken it up as much as you want within reason.. I've used it alot on veneers but usually in a daylight press, so cure time might be an issue for you there. I've used it in boatbuilding too

Would be interested to know how you go thickening up the PVA, keep us posted if you try it out

Oh, you deleted your post and re-wrote it! I'll try to be quicker next time

Originally Posted by Arron

I use caul presses to flatten and glue veneer to various substrates using PVA. One problem I would like to deal with is the tendancy of the glue to bleed through the more porous veneers and onto the surface of the workpiece. It can be sanded off, thats true, but its an annoying extra step that I would rather avoid. Also, sanding thin veneers is inherently risky.

Does anyone know a way to deal with this ?

I have read overseas websites that mention glues designed especially for this purpose - essentially PVA glues with some type of inert fibre. Not available here though. Maybe someone has experimented with a DIY version.

cheers
Arron

Arron
I've got teh same problem, the best recovery I could come up with was to wash the excess glue off with metho to make it tacky followed by water to remove it.
So far, this worked on the backing veneer I've yet to try it on the face veneer.

to prevent the problem, all I can think of is to use less PVA or to switch to hide glue where veneer porosity shouldn't matter.

Originally Posted by carpoid

Oh, you deleted your post and re-wrote it! I'll try to be quicker next time

Yes, I reread it and decided that it sounded pedantic and unnecessarily argumentative, so I rewrote it.

Sorry if that caused a problem.

Cheers
Arron

and just when I've made my case against epoxy, along comes a product that changes the game. Check this out :
West System Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive

If it works, its a great idea.

Arron

and I've just refound a link to the thickened PVA alternative:

Veneer Systems, Inc. - Product » MPA Veneer - 1 gallon

and check out the price - $17 for 4 litres.

Originally Posted by Arron

Yes, I reread it and decided that it sounded pedantic and unnecessarily argumentative, so I rewrote it.

Sorry if that caused a problem.

Cheers
Arron

I did think you got a bit carried away actually , only trying to help after all, thanks for realising that and hope you don't think i was being argumentative in my reply?
Wouldn't say it 'caused a problem'

Best not mention Cascamite, don't want to start you off again!!

Good luck with it all.