From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

I've got a single pedestal (student) desk which got splashed on the
side of the pedestal to the point the veneer is loose along the lowest
six inches or so. The upper three-quarters is still intact.

The desk is nothing special, an old Drexel Heritage dated 1967 if I'm
reading the markings right, but it's wood, not oatmealboard.

I'd like to slow further deterioration if possible. Just sticking the
loose veneer back down seems like a good first step. The damage is fairly unobtrusive and if it could be kept from getting worse that's enough.

I've thought about simply squirting some glue under the lifted veneer
but getting a smooth and secure transition to the original glue looks
rather difficult. What sort of glue to use is likewise unclear.

Thanks for reading, and any suggestions.

bob prohaska

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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

I've got a single pedestal (student) desk which got splashed on the
side of the pedestal to the point the veneer is loose along the lowest
six inches or so. The upper three-quarters is still intact.

The desk is nothing special, an old Drexel Heritage dated 1967 if I'm
reading the markings right, but it's wood, not oatmealboard.

I'd like to slow further deterioration if possible. Just sticking the
loose veneer back down seems like a good first step. The damage is fairly >unobtrusive and if it could be kept from getting worse that's enough.

I've thought about simply squirting some glue under the lifted veneer
but getting a smooth and secure transition to the original glue looks
rather difficult. What sort of glue to use is likewise unclear.

Thanks for reading, and any suggestions.

bob prohaska

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.
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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read.
The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

Note, that's http, not https. You might have to reassure your browser it's ok.

There's no need to "restore" it, but I'd like to mitigate further damage.

Thanks for writing,

bob prohaska

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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

bp@www.zefox.net writes:

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read.
The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

White glue should be sufficient, or any carpenter's glue, or
any Tightbond adhesive. In all cases you'll need to clamp
the veneer to the casework using a caul to ensure a good bond.
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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net writes:

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read. >>The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

White glue should be sufficient, or any carpenter's glue, or
any Tightbond adhesive. In all cases you'll need to clamp
the veneer to the casework using a caul to ensure a good bond.

Would it be prudent to thin the glue, to help it flow toward the
remaining attached portion? I happen to have hide glue, might it
be a better match to the original contruction materials?

Thanks for writing!

bob prohaska

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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net writes:

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read. >>>The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

Here's a more detailed photo, looking at the under side of the lower left
edge in the previous picture: http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage_inverted.JPG

The veneer is paper thin, not liftable as I thought. Also, there's
(cringe!) what looks like particle board used in the bottom of the
pedestal. It didn't disintegrate when it got wet, so that's good, but
this is a less-preservationworthy article than I thought at first.

Getting glue under the veneer looks impossible; maybe just give it a
coat of clear penetrating primer and hope it sticks together? Or,
better to leave it alone? It's no jewel, but I'd still rather not
mar it worse.

It's stenciled

CAMPAIGNER BY DREXEL
11 65

Thanks for reading!

bob prohaska

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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 23:05:48 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net writes:

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read. >>>>The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

Here's a more detailed photo, looking at the under side of the lower left >edge in the previous picture: >http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage_inverted.JPG

The veneer is paper thin, not liftable as I thought. Also, there's
(cringe!) what looks like particle board used in the bottom of the
pedestal. It didn't disintegrate when it got wet, so that's good, but
this is a less-preservationworthy article than I thought at first.

Getting glue under the veneer looks impossible; maybe just give it a
coat of clear penetrating primer and hope it sticks together? Or,
better to leave it alone? It's no jewel, but I'd still rather not
mar it worse.

It's stenciled

CAMPAIGNER BY DREXEL
11 65

Thanks for reading!

bob prohaska

What's the worst that can happen? Slightly thin some pva and flood
the area. Squeegee it down then after it dries, iron it down
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From Newsgroup: rec.woodworking

Clare Snyder <clare@snyder.on.ca> wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 23:05:48 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:

bp@www.zefox.net writes:

hubops@ccanoemail.com wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 15:23:12 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is there a general approach to fixing water-damaged veneer?

Can you post a couple photos on imgur ?
It's difficult to advise without seeing it.
John T.

Here's a photo:
http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage.JPG
The white ruler is about six and a half inches long; kinda hard to read. >>>>>The veneer seems solid above the water mark but loose below it.

Here's a more detailed photo, looking at the under side of the lower left >>edge in the previous picture: >>http://www.zefox.net/~bp/veneer_damage_inverted.JPG

The veneer is paper thin, not liftable as I thought. Also, there's >>(cringe!) what looks like particle board used in the bottom of the >>pedestal. It didn't disintegrate when it got wet, so that's good, but
this is a less-preservationworthy article than I thought at first.

Getting glue under the veneer looks impossible; maybe just give it a
coat of clear penetrating primer and hope it sticks together? Or,
better to leave it alone? It's no jewel, but I'd still rather not
mar it worse.

It's stenciled

CAMPAIGNER BY DREXEL
11 65

Thanks for reading!

bob prohaska

What's the worst that can happen? Slightly thin some pva and flood
the area. Squeegee it down then after it dries, iron it down

I guess the worst that could happen is it'll be uglier than it is now....

8-)

Thanks for writing!

bob prohaska

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