Veneer and contact adhesive
1/12/17
I have read after-the-fact that contact adhesive and veneer are a bad combination. I used Titebond "Original" contact adhesive on a curved plywood substrate with paper-backed veneer. I let the applied veneer "air out" for a few days prior to spraying a couple of coats of Sherwin-Williams pre-cat lacquer and now a month after installation the lacquer is cracking with the vertical grain.
Is there any way to save this?
I have thought about lightly sanding the raised "tents" and maybe applying a paste wax or a more flexible finish. Any thoughts are welcome.
1/13/17 #3: Veneer and contact adhesive ...
Any stain on the veneer? Do you need to repair on site? Many of us had to make that mistake before learning. Lots of bad advice and product out there!
1/13/17 #4: Veneer and contact adhesive ...
There is no stain on the veneer and one cabinet would require field repair, while the other could be taken to the shop.
I am seriously bummed about this as I actually looked at several videos for advice prior to the project -- but obviously not the right ones!
The veneer seems well-adhered to the substrate (no bubbling or pulling away), so I think the problems are constrained to the lacquer in combination with the contact adhesive. I did put on two thick coats of lacquer and I read somewhere that multiple thin coats in this situation are better (with plenty of drying time in between).
2/10/17 #5: Veneer and contact adhesive ...
The veneer is moving around because CA cracking the laq. Has nothing to do with solvents.
3/18/17 #6: Veneer and contact adhesive ...
Never ever use C/C with paper back veneer. I don't care what any company says it OK , It is not. You have four different movements here . The glue, the veneer, the finish and the substrate if it doesn't move at the same rate something going to crack. Now that your stuck with the onsite repair i would use a wood back veneer with the C/C that will help keep the veneer from moving and the one you take back to the shop press that one if possible.