Join between panels on desk not smooth due to warping
Apologies in advance, I am not an expert. I have an old french desk which has a top comprised of 8 panels. Although the rest of the desk seems solid wood, the top seem to be a thin wooden layer. It has been exposed to sun and some moisture, which has caused one of the panels to raise a little making the join uneven. There is “play” in the raise section so I can push it down. Does anybody have any ideas on how I can stick it back down?
Replies
The thin "panel" a veneer. This is a common practice of glueing thin sheets of finer wood over a more common substrate. I'm not an expert at working with veneers but, I'll tell you what I think and others can correct me. I think the chances are good that the glue used originally is a hide glue. It is susceptible to releasing under heat and moisture but, is also easy to repair. Start by finding a bottle of liquid hide glue. Working with a couple of thin putty knives, gently lift the edges of the loose veneer and work some glue under with the other knife. Press the veneer down and wipe any excess squeeze out with a damp cloth. Place a piece of wax paper over the repair area and then place a flat board with some weights to hold it down until dry; probably over night. If after you remove the weights, there is still some glue residue, it can be carefully wiped away with the same damp cloth. As the glue is now dry, it will require some more vigorous rubbing but, be patient and let the moisture soften the glue.
If you think that the piece has some antique value, you might consider taking it to a expert restorer for repair. There is some risk of doing further damage while trying to do the repair yourself.
It depends on what glue was used. The first thing I would try is a clothes iron with a heavy piece of cloth underneath. Apply some heat and pressure, and see if it glues itself back down.
If that doesn't work, they sell plastic syringes that you can inject a little glue underneath, and apply weight to keep it flat until dry.
The thin "panel" a veneer. This is a common practice of glueing thin sheets of finer wood over a more common substrate. I'm not an expert at working with veneers but, I'll tell you what I think and others can correct me. I think the chances are good that the glue used originally is a hide glue. It is susceptible to releasing under heat and moisture but, is also easy to repair. Start by finding a bottle of liquid hide glue. Working with a couple of thin putty knives, gently lift the edges of the loose veneer and work some glue under with the other knife. Press the veneer down and wipe any excess squeeze out with a damp cloth. Place a piece of wax paper over the repair area and then place a flat board with some weights to hold it down until dry; probably over night. If after you remove the weights, there is still some glue residue, it can be carefully wiped away with the same damp cloth. As the glue is now dry, it will require some more vigorous rubbing but, be patient and let the moisture soften the glue.
If you think that the piece has some antique value, you might consider taking it to a expert restorer for repair. There is some risk of doing further damage while trying to do the repair yourself.
Good luck
That's great thanks John, do you have any idea what the name of this glue/dispenser might be? thanks.
Try a pharmacy or your local doctor. You will need a 3ml syringe and an 18ga x 1.5" (pink) needle or an 18ga drawing up needle (no sharp point or bevel). It is easier to get viscous stuff like glue to flow from a smaller syringe.
They will know you are not a drug user as that's a big fat needle! 22ga is about the finest you can get glue to flow through. This is about 30c worth of stuff so don't pay top dollar!
Google glue syringe or glue injector. There are a million kinds. I have only used those that have a curved plastic tip molded into the syringe, not those that have interchangeable needles.
Try straight heat first, to reactivate the existing glue. If you put too much extra glue under the veneer, it will create an annoying bump under the surface when it hardens.
Hey,
MLCS sells glue injectors.
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