Advice

Our customers advise you :

 

Our customers share their experiences and tips for successfully applying wood veneer :

 

Vidéo de M. ROLLAND de l'entreprise "La Malle en Coin", qui vous présente la fabrication de sa E-MALLE

 

On this page, we offer some tips and tricks for successfully applying wood veneer.

To begin with, here are some tips that apply to all wood veneers:

 

  • Wood veneer is a noble material that can only be used for indoor applications.
  • Rooms where wood veneer is to be used must meet the following conditions:
  

Temperature between 10 and 30°C (for installation between 15 and 25°C)

Humidity between 40 and 60% (strongly discouraged for bathrooms)

Possible substrates:

 

  • Plywood
  • Solid wood
  • MDF (medium density fibreboard)
  • Chipboard
  

Bonding : Successful bonding can only be achieved on a substrate that has been cleaned of dust and grease

  • On which substrates and using which method should wood veneer be bonded? :

 

 

  • Solid wood : Vinyl or polyurethane glue can be used. Self-adhesive products should be avoided.
  • Plywood : We recommend using vinyl, PU, neoprene or epoxy glue. Self-adhesive solutions are also suitable for small, dust-free surfaces.
  • MDF (medium density fibreboard): Vinyl, PU, neoprene and epoxy adhesives can be used. Self-adhesive products should be avoided due to dust.
  • Chipboard : Vinyl, PU, neoprene and epoxy adhesives. Adhesive: Yes (small, dust-free surfaces)
  
  • Melamine panels : PU glue or neoprene can be used. Self-adhesive solutions are also suitable.
  • Metal (must be sanded, dusted and degreased beforehand): Neoprene or epoxy glue can be used. Self-adhesive solutions are also suitable.
  • Counterbalancing : When applying veneer, a wood panel must always be counterbalanced with veneer of the same thickness in order to balance it (a panel that does not comply with this rule will pull towards its centre and the veneered side will become concave).
  
  • Pressure : There is no such thing as too much pressure! Make sure you apply strong pressure to your veneer during application to ensure good cohesion between the veneer and its substrate.
  • After gluing : Allow 24 to 48 hours at room temperature between gluing and machining or applying a finish.
  • Finishing : All raw or sanded wood veneer products must be finished to protect them and ensure their durability.

Applying a self-adhesive wood sheet:

 

  • Positioning a sheet :
To ensure that your sheet is positioned correctly before sticking it down, you can partially tape it to its backing to hold it in place while you remove the adhesive backing.

o If you are applying a sheet to a panel, you can place small aluminium or Plexiglas (clean) strips on the backing. Then remove the protective backing from the self-adhesive film and position the film. To apply the film, remove the strips one by one, starting from the centre of the film and working outwards, smoothing as you go to remove any bubbles.

  • Smoothing :

Is your sheet applied and there are no bubbles? You must now press the sheet very firmly over its entire surface to ensure good adhesion between the adhesive and the surface.

  

Note: When using self-adhesive film, only one of the two elements has an adhesive side. It is therefore essential that the smoothing is perfect to ensure that the adhesive migrates to the substrate and guarantees its durability over time.

  

A bubble ? Don't panic! Use the tip of a thin, sharp blade (ideally a cutter with a new blade) and make a micro-perforation at one end of the bubble to release the air. Press down firmly to remove the bubble completely.

  • Finishing: Applying a finishing product is essential to ensure the durability of the veneer.

 

Apply a sheet of wood with non-woven fabric :

 

  • Gluing :

With neoprene glue :

  • Glue the veneer on the woven side and glue the substrate (panel, wall, etc.).
  • Follow the drying time recommended by the glue manufacturer (usually around ten minutes).

Preferably with vinyl glue (wood glue) :

  • Glue the veneer on the woven side (do not remove the woven fabric) and glue the substrate with a thicker layer on the substrate and a thinner layer on the back of the sheet.
  • Allow the glue to set, i.e. within 15 minutes the glue films will become pasty, almost solid, but still sticky to the touch.
  • Position the sheet :

If glued with Neoprene: When applying a sheet to a panel, you can place small aluminium strips (clean) on the surface. Position the sheet. To glue it, remove the strips one by one, starting from the centre of the sheet and working outwards, smoothing as you go to remove any bubbles.

If glued with vinyl adhesive: Position the sheet on the substrate and press it from the centre towards the edges to remove any bubbles. Once applied and bubble-free, smooth it out firmly as explained in the introduction to this instruction sheet!

  

Note: In the case of vinyl, the adhesive can be reactivated with heat. You can therefore apply the adhesive to the veneer and the substrate, leave the adhesive to dry, then position the sheet and use an iron to bond it.

  • Pressing and smoothing :

Neoprene: Once your sheet has been applied, are there any bubbles? Good, you must now smooth the sheet very firmly over its entire surface to ensure good adhesion to the substrate.

Vinyl and polyurethane: After removing any bubbles with the smoothing tool, apply strong pressure using a panel and clamps.

Note: In the case of hot bonding with vinyl, apply strong pressure with an iron, passing over the entire surface of the veneer (be careful not to burn the wood).

  • Finish: The application of a finishing product is mandatory to ensure the durability of the veneer. To limit shine and maintain a ‘raw’ appearance, use a matt varnish or oil.

 

For further information, you may :

"Instruction manual"