How to Fix Bubbled Wood Veneer
Wood veneer is one of the best options if you want to give your DIY projects that costly look, but at times bubbles can form and make your work look not that great.
In this post, I’m sharing how to fix wood veneer bubbles using simple things one is likely to find within the house.
Why Wood Veneer is a Game-Changer for DIY Projects
Wood veneer is a popular solution for DIYers looking to give their plywood projects a smooth, polished look. It’s a trick I always use in order to make plywood appear like real solid wood and thus make my DIY more expensive-looking.
Whether one is working on brand new woodworking builds or hacking a piece of furniture, veneer comes in handy to cover up the raw edges of plywood, giving it the look of solid wood.
But if you’ve ever noticed ugly bubbles forming under the veneer, well, you are not alone. I recently got the bubbles out of the wood veneer from my DIY bathroom vanity and would like to share what I’ve learnt from that experience!
What Causes Wood Veneer Bubbles?
Bubbles in wood veneer can occur for either of two reasons:
Low-Quality Wood Veneer:
If the veneer is low quality, it may form bubbles after application. In my experience, low-quality veneer bubbles more easily than high-quality options.
This is a photo of the low-quality veneer applied. You can see light and dark patches throughout the veneer tape.
On my floating vanity project, I’ve used a wood veneer from Home Depot to meet a tight timeline. However, after a few months, it developed many bubbles. In contrast, the higher-quality wood veneer I purchased online for the same project did not form any bubbles.
Environment Changes:
Temperature and humidity changes can also cause bubbles in wood veneer.
A very good example of this was our Murphy bed project done by my husband; even though he used the high-quality veneer, the changing weather caused some minor bubbling, but not as noticeable.
Since the environmental change is hard to control, I would recommend getting a good quality wood veneer for your next DIY project.
How to Repair Bubbled Wood Veneer – The Simple Way
If you find bubbles in your wood veneer, there’s no need to panic. There is this simple method that has worked for me.
This is the less-destructive method and would be ideal if the furniture has already been painted. In fact, I wonder if the moisture from the paint has caused some thinly-made wood veneer to bubble.
Materials Needed:
- An iron with low heat setting. I used this small project iron that is easy to manage.
- White print paper or a fabric cloth
Steps:
Step 1. Heat the Iron with Low Setting
Set the iron to the lowest setting (usually used for polyester fabric). I even turned it off a few minutes in advance to lower the temperature further and avoid burning the paint.
If you have not applied any top coat on top of wood veneer, you can go with a higher setting as wood can withstand heat better than paint.
Step 2. Place Paper on the Bubble
Place a piece of print paper or a fabric cloth over the bubble to protect the surface of your project. This will act as a barrier between the iron and the veneer, preventing direct heat contact.
Additionally, if your paint does melt, this barrier will protect your iron surface.
I folded the print paper and inserted one side inside the gap to hold it in place.
Step 3. Apply Low Heat
Press the iron on top of the paper and move it back and forth across the bubble. Start gently and increase pressure until you feel like you are pushing the bubbles out.
The goal is to use low heat and pressure to iron the bubble out without overheating the veneer or damaging the paint.
The bubbles under wood veneer are air pockets. Before applying heat, check by lightly pressing the bubble with your finger to see if it can be pushed back in.
Step 4. Check the Results and Repeat if Needed
After several passes, check if the bubble has flattened out. The veneer should become smooth and bubble-free. If the bubble persists, repeat the process.
Alternatively, you can slightly increase the heat setting on your iron to melt the glue further. Just make sure to adjust the heat incrementally and observe the result as you go.
I’ve recently used this method recently on my DIY bathroom vanity project. After several months, one edge had developed unsightly bubbles due to lower-quality wood veneer.
After applying this technique, 90% of the bubbles disappeared and haven’t returned!
How to Fix Wood Veneer Bubbles – The More Effort Way
If the low-heat method doesn’t work, you may need to take more drastic steps to repair the bubbled veneer. Here’s what I’d try:
- Gently heat the veneer with a higher setting (similar to when you first applied it) so you can melt the glue underneath.
- Carefully peel back the veneer. Once the old veneer is removed, scrape off excess glue with an old credit card.
- Apply a new wood veneer, and go with the usual steps: trim it to match the plywood thickness, sand the edges, and finish it with paint or varnish to match the rest of your project.
This method is more labor-intensive, but it’s a guaranteed way to fix more stubborn veneer bubbles.
How to Prevent Veneer Bubbles in Your Future DIY Projects
While it’s good to know how to repair bubbles, it’s even better to avoid them altogether. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Invest in High-Quality Veneer: As I’ve learned from my own projects, low-quality veneer is more likely to bubble. Choose a high-quality product to reduce this risk. This is what I typically used: red oak veneer to match red oak plywood or birch veneer for painted surface.
Control the Environment: Be mindful of the temperature and humidity levels in your DIY space or current season. If possible, apply wood veneer in a low humidity environment.
Apply Veneer Properly: Take your time when applying the veneer. Press it down evenly and ensure the glue bonds well. This can minimize air pockets and imperfections.
How to Fix Wood Veneer Bubbles Summary
Wood veneer is so essential for woodworking projects, especially for those using plywood in construction. It adds a professional, polished finish to any piece.
While wood veneer bubbling is so frustrating, knowing how to repair and prevent it makes all the difference! I hope these tips help you get your wood veneer projects looking perfect again.
If you’ve ever dealt with veneer bubbles, I’d love to hear about your experiences or any other tips you might have. Leave a comment below!
