How do I repair a bubble on a table top veneer?

Claudette
by Claudette

How to remove wood table bubble


  13 answers
  • William William on Feb 19, 2020

    The bubble may be wood veneer that separated from the substrate. Place cloth ove the bubble an an iron set to medium heat and iron over the cloth. This may activate the adhesive and glue it back down

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 19, 2020

    A very thin layer of hardwood veneer is often glued over a less-expensive piece of wood furniture. Although veneer is usually durable, placing warm or damp objects on the veneer can cause the glue bond to fail. When the glue bond fails, bubbles can form on the surface of the wood veneer. Wood bubbles can ruin the appearance of a beautiful piece of furniture, causing the furniture to appear dull and dingy.

    Step 1

    Lay a sheet of white parchment paper over the wood bubble. Iron the parchment paper with a warm clothes iron for 10 seconds.

    Step 2

    Continue ironing the parchment paper in 10-second intervals. Remove the parchment paper and inspect the wood bubble.

    Step 3

    Cover the wood bubble with two layers of masking tape, if the wood bubble remains. If the veneer has already split, place two layers of masking tape along both edges of the split.

    Step 4

    Make a split through the center of the entire wood bubble, using a very sharp razor knife. Follow the direction of the wood grain, when cutting through the tape and wood.

    Step 5

    Scrape out any dirt or debris from underneath the wood bubble, using a toothpick. Insert a small piece of masking tape through the slit and into the wood bubble, to pick up the loose chunks of debris.

    Step 6

    Apply some yellow carpenter's glue to the entire surface under the bubble. Insert the glue through the slit you just cut into the veneer.

    Step 7

    Press down on the veneer, to spread the glue underneath the bubble. Wipe away the excess glue from the veneer using a cloth dampened with water.

    Step 8

    Remove the masking tape from the veneer. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the split to prevent the glue from oozing out and sticking to the flat wood blocks you are about to place over the plastic wrap.

    Step 9

    Place a couple of flat wood blocks on top of the plastic wrap to act as weights. Allow the glue to cure overnight with the wood blocks in place.

    Step 10

    Remove the wood blocks and the plastic wrap. Lightly sand the veneer with fine grade sandpaper until the wood is completely smooth.

    Step 11

    Apply wood oil directly to the veneer to prevent new bubbles from forming. Rub the wood oil into the veneer with a cloth until the table is completely restored to its original condition.



  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Feb 19, 2020

    I would try ironing it. be prepared it might be never going away

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Feb 19, 2020

    Hello . Ioig as suggested abve coukd be the perfect solution. But could you possibly post a photograph to better see your situation and area of veneer concern?


    Having a visual might be helpful to be able to offer the best guidance .....to a help find the best suggestions or potential solution for your table top veneer problem.

  • If the rest of the veneer is still intact you can use a syringe with a thick needle to push some glue under the veneer. Once the glue is added you need to add some weight to keep the veneer flat while the glue dries.

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 19, 2020

    I use a single edge razor blade and run a slice in it, then I use glue that comes in a needle dispenser to insert it under the veneer. Wipe any excess off, and then place something heavy like a glass vase on top.

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Feb 21, 2020

    Do you have a picture of the area?

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Feb 24, 2020

    can we see picture?


  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Feb 25, 2020

    Try putting a damp rag on the bubble and leave it there for like a hour enough to moisten the spot then put a bunch of heavy books on it and leave it for like 3 days then check the spot if it when down some try to slide glue index the bubble then replace books and leave 3 more days that should do it

  • Linda Linda on Feb 25, 2020

    Here is a youtube video showing you how to fix it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBsy-ASldg

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Nov 14, 2021

    Hi Claudette, poke a few small holes in the bubble and use a syringe to "inject" small amounts of wood glue into the bubble. Place a towel over the bubble and iron it flat for a few minutes. Place something heavy on the towel and leave for a few hours.