Can bubbled veneer be fixed?

Diana Wearing
by Diana Wearing
Love the birds eye maple veneer top on this table, most of it’s in good shape but there are a few areas that have bubbled. Is there a way to fix/flatten the bubbled areas?
  7 answers
  • Stacy Lundquist Stacy Lundquist on Oct 10, 2015
    Use a heat gun to reactivate the glue, then put some heavy books on top to weigh it down till it cools. or try ironing with a towel between to reactivate the glue. I've used both with good results.
  • Roxy D Roxy D on Oct 10, 2015
    I have done a few things. Sanding if it's not real bad or... disguise it.
  • Jenni Jenni on Oct 10, 2015
    Bubba is a woodsmith and an excellent one. He suggests putting a towel over the area that bubbled. Don't double it up. Use iron on the highest setting. Keep ironing it. If you have a J Roller use that after. They can be rented or purchased.
  • Jamy Jamy on Oct 11, 2015
    I suggest an iron on it's next to highest setting, over 2 sheets brown paper bag. Lets me know when and if it returns to it's place.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 11, 2015
    Actually This does not seem to bad to repair. Try making a small slit with a razor knife and insert glue wiping off excess before it dries. Place a heavy object on top and wait til it dries.
    • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Oct 13, 2015
      @Janet Pizaro Yes, this is what I would do too - but do iron it out first so the moisture content is even and the full extent of the need for glue can be seen. I would start with a lower setting; aim to thooughly heat the venner. (I use my heavy cast-iron casserole for this, then I fill it with other heavy items if needed.Find a syringe that will allow you to get the glue into the crack and under the bubbled veneer, and/or use flexible strips of cardstock, etc., to push it in to get the most contact. Use a glue that has a longer working time so you can fuss a little, clean off extra glue, press for 1 min., clean off squeeze-out and wipe dry, and press until dry.
  • Fun Fun on Oct 12, 2015
    If the ironing trick doesn't work, Janet may have the best solution. Slit with razor blade, super glue until you see it transparent all over inside the bubble, then cover with wax paper and weight it down heavily (lead shot in a bag, etc.)
  • Debbie Debbie on Oct 12, 2015
    I used Janet's solution on the veneer top of an antique radio cabinet. Came out beautifully. You'd never know there was a problem there.