Veneer bubble repair will transform tattered to beautiful!

Veneer bubble repair can be intimidating for many people. Veneer bubbling is a problem with older furniture. Many people shy away from thrift store or yard sale finds, that have veneer bubbling, but I think that’s a mistake! You could be walking away from a diamond in the rough. I have purchased quality furniture pieces, that had bubbling veneer, at dirt cheap prices, knowing that I could easily bring it back to life, with some basic veneer bubble repair techniques!

Bubbling looks like this!

Here is what you need to fix the bubbling

Wax paper/freezer paper or parchment paper.
Wood glue
Utility knife
Meat injector syringe. I used “Good Cook” brand.
Pastry or Pizza Roller. I used Ekco brand.
Flat weighted object; books, bricks, level board with on top, etc.
Baby wipes or damp rags to wipe off excess wood glue.
C-clamps, wood clamps, etc., depends on your project.

Now we start the veneer bubble repair

Veneer bubble repair with a utility knife.

Using your utility knife, slice through the center of the bubble, for the full length. Be careful to only penetrate the veneer layer.

Fill your handy dandy Meat Injector syringe with wood glue.
Generously inject the wood glue into the veneer’s air pocket, working your way along the entire slice that you created.
Cover the area being worked with wax paper.
Using your pasty roller, roll over the area, ensuring that the glue is evenly distributed under the veneer.
Remove and discard the wax paper.
Wipe off excess glue with baby wipe or damp rag.

Drawer

For a drawer repair, I found that wax paper, flat scrap wood and clamps worked perfect to compress the veneer repair, until it has dried. I found that 24hrs was an ample cure wait time.

Veneer dresser repair. Dresser flipped on its side, to apply pressure evenly to the glue.

Furniture side panel repair

Its very difficult to apply clamps to big areas, such as the side of a dresser. A solution that works well for me, is to lay the dresser on its side. It so simple and works out great! This approach ensures the even compression, of a large area.

Wax paper, flat scrap wood and bricks/books worked perfect, to compress the veneer repair, until it has dried. Again, allow a 24hr cure wait time.

You will want follow by wiping, or lightly sanding off any glue residue before painting or staining.

Always wear the appropriate safety equipment!