The Best Way to Apply Wood Veneer
Wood veneer is similar to lamination in that it's thin but durable, and is used to cover many types of surfaces -- including counters, cabinets, furniture and even some types of hardwood flooring. The veneer, designed to give a wooden appearance, comes with either a plain backing applied with adhesive, or another type that already has adhesive on its back. With the latter, you'll simply peel the protective coating off and stick it to the surface of your choice. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the area you want to cover with the wood veneer. This will come in handy when you're purchasing your veneer, so you don't purchase too much or too little. And many stores will cut the veneer to he dimensions you need for little to no cost.
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Gather additional supplies. If your wood veneer is has an adhesive backing, you won't need to buy adhesive -- but you will need a tool to smooth it down when applying it, such as a scraper or piece of wood measuring 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. If your veneer doesn't have an adhesive backing, you'll need to purchase contact cement or wood veneer glue.
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Cover your veneer. Wood veneer should be kept in a dry moisture-free area until you're ready to apply it. Keeping it dry will ensure a secure adhesive bone, which won't be the case if the veneer is holding excess moisture.
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Apply adhesive to the back of the veneer as well as the area you're covering with the veneer. How much adhesive is needed depends on what type of adhesive you're using, so read the instructions on the adhesive before applying.
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Peel 2 inches of adhesive backing away from the veneer if it has adhesive backing.
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Line up the edge of veneer with the surface you want to cover. Apply it lengthwise, so you'll have less width to worry about keeping smooth.
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Press firmly to ensure the veneer bonds to the surface. Continue to work your way along the surface a few inches at a time. If you are using adhesive backing, pull the protective paper off a few inches at a time, so you can continue to press the veneer down firmly, instead of keeping the entire piece from sticking.
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Continue to lower the veneer to the surface while pressing firmly. Once done, you can use your scraper tool to smooth out any bubbles that may have formed.
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A hot iron will heat up the adhesive so you can smooth out bubbles. Iron out the raised areas covered by bubbles. Despite all the smoothing and pressure, you may still end up with air bubbles. If this occurs, set a clothing iron to the wool or cotton setting and apply heat to raised areas. Place a piece of cotton cloth in between the veneer and iron to prevent scorching.
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References
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