I have a teak table made in 1980 that I’m trying to refinish. After getting it into the shop I noticed about half a dozen bubbles averaging 1″ across. I’m leary about trying to sand them out because of the thinness and flexibility of the veneer.
Is their a way to re-activate the glue by using heat from a iron? Should I use a moist rag between the wood and the glue, or would that make it worse? I have a vacuum press but I can’t see where that will do me any good. The way the table is made I can’t just re-veneer the top (at least not cheaply enough to keep the customer happy).
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If the finish has been removed, get a hypodermic syringe with a small needle and inject some glue into the bubble, then press it down, squeezing the excess out. wipe the surface and put some weight on top so it stays flat. Once it dries, you shouldn't be able to tell that there was a bubble. Do you know what kind of glue was used originally? If yellow, heat will soften it so it should flatten pretty well. If it was contact cement, it may help. I doubt that it was hide glue, but you should be able to soften that, too. Check with a musical instrument repairman. If I remember correctly, vinegar softens hide glue.
Thanks Highfigh,
I'd forgotten about using a syringe, any idea where a guy could pick one up?
Do you know any nurses? Actually, I have seen them at Rockler and the Woodworker's Store. I'm sure someone near you sells them. It will need to have a fairly large gauge needle in order for wood glue to plass through. I cut this piece four times and it's still too short.
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