Veneer can definitely look very nice, and it tends to be a cost effective building/decorative material too. Wood veneer can be much more affordable than full solid wood, and easier to work with as well. That said, veneer does have some issues, such as not being the most durable material in the world.
If you have wood veneer at home that has seen better days, instead of replacing it, you can always try repairing it with glue for wood veneer. Today we want to help you figure out how to choose the best glue for wood veneer repair, plus we’ve also reviewed some of the top options out on the market at this time.
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- Easy to sand and pain
- Superior bond strength
- Ideal for all wood
- Very fast set and cure
- Ideal for small wood veneer repairs
- Works for a variety of materials
- Ideal for large scale repairs and veneer work
- Long working time
- Dries strong and flexible
- Ideal for all sorts of wood
- High moisture resistance
- Indoor and outdoor use
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Elmer's E7310 Carpenter's Wood Glue
We would say that the overall #1 pick for the best glue for wood veneer repair would have to be Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue. There are various reasons as to why this option can be considered superior over the others.
- One of the best features of Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue is that it allows for easy sanding and painting once dry, thus making it ideal for surface veneer repairs.
- This particular glue is very easy to clean up with water before dry, but one dry, it is totally water proof.
- Being waterproof and temperature resistant, as well as resistant to mold and mildew, makes Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue ideal for indoor and outdoors use.
- Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue is non-toxic and does not give off harmful fumes.
- This wood glue features a bond strength that is stronger than wood itself.
Glue for Wood Veneer – Buying Guide & FAQ
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Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
Types of Glue for Wood Veneer
The first important thing for you to know is that there are many different types of glue that can be used for wood veneers, four of them in fact. Let’s take a quick look at each of the four types of glue that can be used to bond wood veneer.
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Contact Cement
One of the types of glue that you can use for wood veneer is contact cement. However, with that being said, contact cement is really only suitable for either paper back many years or two ply veneers. If your wood veneer has absolutely no backing then you should not use contact cement with it. Contact cementing damage went years without backings on them, so this doesn’t need to be avoided. That said, contact cement is of course very strong and long lasting, so it does make for a good option in some cases.
Urea Resin Glue
Another type of glue that you can use for this task is urea resident glue. Now this type of glue is one of the best for veneers as it has extremely good heat resistance and moisture resistance. There’s also the fact that this type of glue is very permanent. It has a strong bond and it can bear a whole lot of weight. However, the problem with this type of glue is that they require very careful mixing and very long pressing times. This type of glue is not very ideal for newbies to use.
Iron-On Glue
One very interesting type of glue that can be used for wood veneers is iron on glue. This is more or less a 2 sided strip of adhesive. First you stick one side onto one surface and then you apply heat using an iron. Then you take off the sticker that covers the second side of the adhesive and you press the material on the other side. These are very easy to use, and they don’t require much skill, but with that being said, they aren’t always the most permanent.
Veneer Glue – Cold Press
Probably the best thing that you can use for this task is actual veneer glue. Generally speaking, veneer glue, particularly cold pressed than your glue, is designed to activate with pressure. Therefore, all you have to do is apply the glue to the veneer and then really push it onto the wooden surface below. As the name implies, the near glue is designed specifically for this task, so it’s always a good option to go with.
How To Choose Glue For Wood Veneer Repair
Before you purchase any type of glue for veneer repair, there are certain purchasing factors that should be kept in mind, so you choose the right glue for your purposes.
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- Bond Strength
One of the most important aspects is how strong the final bond is. This is usually measured in tensile strength and PSI. For small repairs, the bond doesn’t need to be amazing, but for large scale repairs and veneer work, it should be as strong as possible.
- Moisture, Mold, & Mildew Resistance
Another important purchasing factor when looking for glue for veneer work is how resistant it is to moisture. Wood glue absolutely needs to be moisture resistant, preferably waterproof. Wood is susceptible to mold and mildew as well, so this is extremely important.
- Sanding & Painting
For sticking veneer to other surfaces, for full scale work, this is not that important, but if you plan on repairing or filling in gaps on the surface, veneer glue should allow you to sand and paint over it, or else it won’t look very nice when you are done.
- Type of Wood
Most wood glue will work for most woods, and yes, that includes veneer as well. However, it is important that the glue you get is intended for the specific purpose at hand. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Toxicity
Something else to look out for here is that the glue in question is non-toxic and does not release harmful fumes. Now, it’s not the biggest purchasing factor, because it’s not like you will be eating the glue, but being eco-friendly and safe is always a bonus.
- Large or Small Scale Application
The other thing to consider is how large the task at hand is. Do you need to fill in a small gap or glue a whole veneer wall together? This will make a difference as well.
What’s The Difference Between Veneer & Laminate?
Laminate is a printed surface made to look like real wood, whereas veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood that is then attached to a less expensive material such as plywood.
How Do I Remove Wood Veneer Glue?
If the wood veneer glue has dried and you need to remove it, or to remove old glue, a putty knife will usually do the trick, although you may have to apply a light solvent or loosening agent such as
Does Glue For Veneer Repair Need To Be Waterproof?
Yes, in all reality, glue for veneer repair needs to be waterproof or at least moisture resistant. You don’t want the glue allowing moisture into the cracks or the glue itself coming apart due to moisture. This can cause veneer work to quickly come apart and it makes it susceptible to mold and mildew.
How Long Does Veneer Glue Take To Dry?
Generally speaking, most glue for wood veneer will set within roughly 1 hour and totally cure within 24 hours.
How to Repair Peeling Plywood
You might think that this is a very difficult task to accomplish, but the fact of the matter is that the exact opposite is the case. Let’s go through a quick step-by-step instructional on how to repair peeling plywood in a very fast and easy way.
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- First off, you need to pick the right material to fill the parts out of peeled away. Generally speaking, when it comes to plywood, either epoxy or wood filler is best.
- Using a scraper and knife and some sandpaper, remove the bits that are loose.
- Apply the epoxy or wood filler to the area as needed and let it cure as directed by the instructions.
Do you keep in mind that you really don’t want to just push the loose pieces of plywood back down and then try to glue them down? Chances are they will lift up again no matter how much glue you put on them. You absolutely have to get rid of the peeled pieces and then fill in the holes.
How to Fix Veneer that is Lifting
Just like fixing peeling plywood, fixing veneer that is lifting is also very easy. Let’s take a quick look.
- First off, you need to scrape out all of the old glue. You can use some kind of emery board or a file to remove as much of the deteriorated glue as possible. While you’re doing this, be sure not to pull the veneer up any more than it’s already been lifted.
- Now you can pour some wood glue or veneer glue into the crack and then press it down a few times and release it in order to spread the glue around.
- Once the glue has been sufficiently spread around, you will need to clamp for up to 24 hours or more.
Best Glue For Wood Veneer Repair
The top best product [hide]
Elmer's E7310 Carpenter's Wood Glue
Bob Smith Industries Gap Filling Super Glue
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue
5175 Titebond Glue
Gorilla 6231501 Glue
Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue
Due to its waterproof, mold resistant, mildew resistant, and temperature resistant finish, which can pe painted and sanded, Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue makes for the best overall wood glue for wood veneer repair.
Conclusion
When all has been said and done, be sure to keep the main purchasing factors and important questions in mind which we discussed throughout the buyer’s guide. As long as you ensure that you pick the right glue for the specific task at hand, you should be fine. The best wood glue for veneer is one which bonds tight, is waterproof, and can be painted or sanded once cured.
