From Raw Veneer to Finished Panel
Successful veneering relies upon a sequence of application techniques, so once you’ve chosen your raw veneer, you’ll need to bear in mind the specialist stages involved.
The Stages of Veneering
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1. Veneer Trimming
Veneer bundles arrive with pre-trimmed edges which require re-cutting to ensure a clean edge ready for jointing.
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2. Creation of Layons
The trimmed individual veneer leaves need to be jointed prior to being bonded onto a substrate. This is either done by hand applying veneer tape or with a specialised veneer stitcher. These jointed veneer sheets are known as layons
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3. Bonding
Following an application of a suitable glue to a substrate (usually MDF or plywood), the layons need to be pressed under great pressure until the glue is cured. Here, heated, hydraulic veneer presses or vacuum presses are commonly used.
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4. Sanding
Once pressed, the veneered panel needs to be sanded to a final surface, ready for finishing. If veneer tape was used for the layon creation this needs to be removed carefully prior to sanding.
5. Finishing
For the final stage in the process, a lacquer or oil finish is applied to the sanded veneer to create a vital protective layer. Choice of finish depends on the veneer species, environmental factors such as humidity, sunlight, usage levels and the desired aesthetic.
Lacquer sits on the surface of the veneer providing a hardwearing protective seal. Applied using a spray technique, multiple thin coats are built up to create a highly consistent, robust finish. Measured in percentages, the sheen level ranges according to the number of coats applied, from 10% for a soft satin finish to high gloss.
Oils penetrate into the wood and although they offer less surface protection, create a more natural result complementing the grain and colour characteristics of the raw veneer. Stains are used to adjust colour, useful when matching to an existing scheme. They are absorbed into the surface and can be sanded prior to adding a further protective finish.
Finishes will alter the appearance of the raw veneer and we always advise testing, ideally in the project environment to be sure the chosen delivers your objectives.
A Note About Tabu Veneers
Special consideration should be given to glues and finishes used with Tabu veneers. Dyed veneers can be susceptible to fading and colour change. Seek specialist advice about glues which will not stain or discolour and for finishes, UV filters and absorbers are essential. Our detailed technical recommendations can be found at the link below: