I am finally getting arouund to building a project out of some local curly maple veneer that was purchased at a supply store. Due to the high variance in grain direction the veneer curled and puckered as it dried (in this condition when purchased). Is there a product that will help flatten this material so it can be applied to a substrate, or can I layer the sheets between moist paper towels and put the material in a 200F oven and then press it flat? Also should I use an intermediate substrate between the particle board substrate (other suggestions?) and the maple?
Thanks in advance
Dan Thomas
Replies
I flatten veneer by brushing it with a mixture of water and denatured alcohol (1/3 water 2/3 alcohol). Water would work by itself, but the alcohol dries faster. You can also add glycerin to make the veneer more pliable, but this should not be necessary with maple veneer unless it seems very brittle. I then press or clamp the veneer between sheets melamine (the kind sold to make shelves out of). I place layers of newsprint sold in art supply stores that does not have printing on it, between the sheets. Change the paper a couple of times the first and once a day for a few more days. Since I hammer veneer everything, I can’t say how dry the veneer would have to be for other methods, but I let mine dry for 2-3 days.
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