How to Repair Veneer Corners on a Piano
Veneer refers to thin slices of wood attached to a core piece of wood. The use of veneer stopped in the 1980s, as it gave way to the more affordable practice of using solid wood. Since the finished product is made using two types of wood, often the veneer becomes loose due to environmental factors like humidity, normal wear and tear, and movement of the piece. Broken, chipped or buckled veneer is easily fixed by re-glueing and careful smoothing.
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Things You'll Need
- Razor blade or craft knife
- Naphtha or benzene
- Mineral spirit solvent
- Carpenter's glue
- Rag
- Wax paper
- Hardbound books or clamp
- Replacement veneer or wood-grain pen
Instructions
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How to Repair Veneer Corners On a Piano
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1
Remove old glue residue both on the base wood and veneer backing using a razor blade or craft knife. Be careful not to bend the veneer.
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2
Clean both surfaces with a chemical compound like naphtha or benzene. Do so thoroughly, as any remaining glue will inhibit the new adhesive. Do not allow the compound to touch other parts of the piano.
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3
If feasible, sand the surfaces. Wipe clean with a cloth dampened with a mineral spirit solvent.
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4
Spread carpenter's glue along the grain of the base wood and smooth the veneer into place toward the loose edge. Carpenter's glue is preferred for a detail job because it sets more slowly, thus allowing adjustments for realignment.
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5
Wipe off excess glue and cover the veneer with wax paper. If the veneer is on the horizontal corner surface, weight the area with a few hardbound books. If on the vertical surface, clamp the veneer to the corner base wood.
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6
Let the repair set for a few days without disturbance.
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7
If the veneer itself is chipped, locate replacement pieces with a similar grain or fill in the chip with a wood-grain pen, both available at a home improvement store.
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Tips & Warnings
Keeping your piano in a dry environment increases the life of your veneer repair.
If damage is extensive, contact a professional.
