Is PSA Backed Veneer Right For You?

Pressure sensitive adhesive veneer from WiseWood Veneer.

When it comes to “peel and stick”, self stick, or pressure sensitive adhesive backed veneer some questions and skepticism arise. Does it work? Is it better than other veneer application methods? Will it fail? The answers to are not so black and white and a lot of things must be considered when choosing and deciding whether PSA veneer is the right material for your project. The success or failure of the application of this veneer material depends a lot on the attention paid to the details of the application process.

There are a lot of mixed feelings about the "peel and stick" veneer. I know there are a lot of traditionalists that won't even look at paperbacked veneer, let alone the peel and stick or PSA kind. I am aware of the myriad ways to apply different veneer and veneer products. Some methods are better suited than others for different situations. Ultimately the choice is yours whether a product will work for you or not. The PSA backed veneer is convenient when you have to work in the field and on cabinets that are already installed.

Here are some facts about PSA veneer:

PSA stands for pressure sensitive adhesive, it is a viable product and has been used by many (including myself) with success. Its bonding strength comes from the application of pressure. With this type of adhesive this can only be done by hand. Very similar to how you would use contact cement. The application of this pressure is paramount for the successful application and use of PSA veneer. You should not use a J roller with this product. A veneer scraper or veneer hammer is the tool of choice. The pressure should be as firm as possible and scraped with the direction of the grain. Repeating the application of pressure is crucial. You cannot apply too much pressure and with certain veneer species it would be wise to repeat the process several times (maple is notorious). The PSA requires a lot of psi, this will help to restrain the veneer from moving with the changes in humidity. The 3M™ PSA is formulated to work better on less porous surfaces. As with all veneer application methods, surface preparation is important. For more detailed description on how to use pressure sensitive adhesive backed veneer read through the application instructions.

The relative ease of use with this type of veneer and adhesive is misleading. Some users grossly underestimate the application process. Veneer with this adhesive is not a sticker or shelf paper. The name “peel and stick” oversimplifies the process and lowers the user’s expectations. There is no shortcut as to how meticulous the application process is. If you are doing it right than you will be breaking a sweat. Applying PSA veneer can become very labor intensive especially on large projects and in those circumstances you might find that other and more traditional application methods are better.

I have cabinets I built over 10 years ago and used cherry 3M™ PSA veneer over a plywood substrate. I have yet to have an issue with the veneer. We sell to door manufacturers that use PSA veneer on steel doors for commercial applications. They have extensively and rigorously tested the pressure sensitive adhesive under circumstances exceeding everyday use.

These comments are not meant to start a qualitative argument with the professionals that stick only to traditional methods, as far as which method of veneering is better. They are meant to be informative so you can make a better decision about what is the best veneer product for your project.

Good luck.

PDF version of the PSA application instructions.

WiseWood Veneer

Introducing the WiseWood Veneer Cabinet Refacing Kits

We would like to end our long absence from this blog with an introduction to a whole new product line from WiseWood Veneer. We now offer cabinet refacing kits. Perfect for professionals and do it yourselfers. We have taken care to include everything that you would need to reface kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, or other types of furniture. Unless the remodel project calls for a change in size or a reconfiguration of the cabinet layout, the cabinets are (in most cases) just fine and do not need replacing. A change in appearance is what most people are after and this is where a cabinet refacing kit comes in handy.


The kits come in 3 different sizes and are an economical way to give your cabinets a face lift and a new look. Re-facing is a lower cost alternative to a complete tear out and reinstallation of new cabinets. Also it can be done in a fraction of the time at fraction of the cost. Available in the most popular species such as cherry, maple, mahogany and walnut, the kits come with veneer and edgebanding of your choice, a veneer scraper, a utility knife, a tack cloth, sandpaper and a sanding block. Detailed and comprehensive step by step instructions are also included.


Each veneer sheet is backed with 3M™ pressure sensitive adhesive which simplifies the application process. The edgebanding is pre glued with a hot melt adhesive which is easily applied with a household iron. Both, the veneer and edgebanding will accept stains and finishes so you can customize and match colors to give your cabinets the exact look you want. With 3 different sized kits you can get the appropriate kit for the size of your project. However, if you run short on veneer or edgebanding you can always buy 2’ x 8’ PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) backed veneer sheets individually and edge banding in small 50’ rolls separately.


Below is an excerpt of the cabinet refacing instructions but you can also download them in a PDF file. We would love to hear from you if you happen to have any questions or comments whether by phone [(586) 825 2387] or by email [info@wisewoodveneer.com]. We are always here to help if you happen to run into trouble.


Cabinet Refacing Instructions

For Face Frame Cabinets

For the purpose of describing only the cabinet refacing process we have left out any reference to replacement of doors and drawer fronts. Although this is also a major part of any refacing project the options are numerous and can be better dealt with by those companies that sell replacement doors and fronts.


Prepare Cabinets Boxes For Refacing (excerpt)

• Remove doors and hinges. If planning to re-use any hardware keep hinges and screws together in a safe place.

• Remove any trim molding by using a stiff putty knife or small tack puller under the edge of the molding and gently pry loose.

• Remove complete drawer boxes and set aside in a safe area.

• Now you’re down to cabinet boxes only. Inspect frames for any loose or peeling surfaces and repair these as well as any deep dents or scratches. These can be filled with wood putty or even better, auto body filler (Bondo) and sanded smooth.

• Lightly hand sand all surfaces with 120 grit sandpaper and a sanding block. You just want to “scuff” the surface, not completely remove the finish down to bare wood. Don’t use a power sander for this purpose.

• Wipe down all surfaces with a mild detergent and water solution or a mild solvent like denatured alcohol. Use a damp cloth only so as not to soak or saturate the wood and allow ample drying time. After surfaces are completely dry wipe with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust or particles.


Veneering End Panels

• Your kit comes with 2 different types of veneer, sheet veneer with a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) backing and rolled edge banding with a hot melt adhesive backing.

• You will start veneering cabinets by first applying PSA veneer to any exposed end panels. The wood edge banding will be used on the inside edges of the face frames around door and drawer openings.

• For the end panels take careful measurements for height and width. Cut the veneer width to the exact size and cut the height about an inch oversized using a good square and straight edge. Usually the face frames on cabinets extend an 1/8” or so beyond the cabinet end panel so you’ll be fitting this veneer between the backside of the face frame and the wall. By leaving the tall dimension of the veneer extra long you’ll have some free play when trying to align and place this end piece. After the veneer has been cut to fit this panel you will want to dry fit it before removing the release paper and exposing the PSA glue surface. The face frame overlap gives you a good edge to register the veneer against. When you’re satisfied with the fit you are ready to move on to the next step and apply the veneer.

• Peel away a few inches of release paper on the front edge to expose the adhesive. Register the veneer to the top or bottom of the end panel and butt up tight to back of the face frame. With the veneer placed where you want it, apply light pressure by hand to the surface along the leading edge where you’ve exposed the glue surface to effectively anchor the piece and prevent movement. Now you can reach behind with one hand to pull back the release paper while smoothing the veneer surface with the other hand as you go. With the veneer firmly affixed, smooth with the veneer scraper while applying downward pressure, moving in the same direction as the grain.

• Inspect the surface for any bubbles or loose edges. If any of these conditions exist go back over these areas with the veneer scraper.

• Repeat this process on any exposed cabinet ends. Instructions continued here.


PDF version of these instructions
WiseWood Veneer

The Things Some Of Our Customers Do With WiseWood’s Veneer.

2011 has been a very busy year for WiseWood Veneer. As we expand our services and our stock, we thought we would take this opportunity to share some of the highlights from the past year. Here are several examples of custom veneer products that we have been able to do for our customers and some examples of what our customers have been doing with our veneer. What better way to preview the forthcoming customer feature, gallery and testimonial pages that we will be adding soon to our website.

A few highlights of our custom veneer jobs included 12 foot long Macassar Ebony and Wenge, oversized medium figure Anigre panels, and 3 foot wide highly figured Curly Maple and heavy Birdseye Maple.



One of our customers in Arizona had a call for 12 foot long quarter cut Macassar Ebony and quarter cut Wenge for a 12 foot custom dining room table. We were able to provide them with 4 sequenced custom 20 mil paperbacked Ebony sheets. The two paired sets were balanced matched and measured at 24” by 145” and 32” by 145”. The oversized 4’ x 12’ quarter cut Wenge was a matched pair also on a 20 mil paper backer. We are looking forward to seeing pictures of the finished product.
















Speaking of large tables, recently we supplied a customer in Ohio with 5 oversized medium figured Anigre panels for a large conference table. The panels measuring at 55” x 97” were sequenced and balanced matched with premium Anigre faces laid up on 1” thick core. Each panel was balanced with a B grade Maple to further insure stability. We hope to get pictures of the finished table soon.







We also had a customer who needed 36” x 102” highly figured Curly Maple and heavily figured Birdseye Maple on white 10 mil paper. We book matched and sequenced both premium veneers for a really great looking sheet. As it happens, we ended up making too many for the customer and now we are offering these as a featured overstock item. There is more info about the Curly Maple here.




Not all our customers need custom veneer to complete their projects. Several of the more notable customer’s projects used our regularly stocked veneer, including a lightly figured Cherry, reconstituted Wenge and quartered Padauk.







This set of speakers was built by a customer using a light figured Cherry veneer with a 3M PSA backer. It is easy to see how a good finish will accentuate even a light figure.













The sleek coffee table in this photo was built by a customer using our reconstituted Wenge veneer. Its clean and elegant design is emphasized by the consistent grain and color common in composite veneers.







The most creative use of our veneer goes to this customer and their designer. They used a 10 mil quarter cut Padauk to fabricate a series of circular light fixtures. The simple, contemporary design and the naturally deep color of Padauk add style and warmth to the room.






In the next few weeks we will be finishing up web pages that will showcase our customers, their projects and skills. If you would be interested in us showcasing your projects using our veneer please contact us via email at info@wisewoodveneer.com.


WiseWood Veneer

How to apply pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) backed veneer.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to successfully apply pressure sensitive adhesive backed wood veneer, below you'll find comprehensive instructions to do just that. Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is very thin acrylic based film applied to 10mil paper backed flexible wood veneer sheets. It is often referred to as "peel and stick" veneer. In recent years this method of applying wood veneer has gained much popularity with professionals and do it yourselfers because of its relative ease of use and no mess application. It also eliminates the need for a hot press and/ or vacuum bag and allows the veneer to be adhered to more nontraditional substrates such as steel and plastic. Although the wood veneer is available in 2' x 8', 4' x 8', and even 4' x 10' sheets the PSA method of application is not very practical for veneering full size panels. PSA wood veneer is easy to apply but it can become very labor intensive especially on large projects with vast surface areas and there are steps to the application that are meticulous. Namely, making sure that every square inch of the surface area has had enough pressure applied to it.



PSA Veneer Application Instructions

Preparation

When you first receive your veneer inspect it thoroughly for satisfaction of grade and quality prior to lamination. Next it’s very important to allow your veneer to acclimate prior to use. This is done by laying the veneer flat on a surface and allowing it to “relax” in your environment for a minimum of 48 hours up to 4 days. It may be necessary to apply some weight on the ends of the sheet to help retain its flatness during this period. The ideal environment for this process is between 35% and 50% relative humidity and temperature levels between 65 to 80 degrees F. It is also important to allow your substrate material to acclimate in the same conditions for the same amount of time as the veneer. This will ensure that materials will be relatively equal in terms of relative moisture and temperature.

Tools and Supplies

Before starting your veneering project you’ll want to gather some basic tools and supplies. You will need 120 grit sandpaper, tack cloth, denatured alcohol, a sharp utility or exacto knife and a veneer scraper. Veneer scrapers can be purchased commercially and typically consist of a wooden handle and a stiff blade of polycarbonate or lexan about 4” wide. You can also make one by using a piece of hardwood approximately 4” wide by 12 to 16” in length. Make sure one end is cut nice and straight and use sandpaper to gently ease the corners and edge to eliminate any sharp lines. If you want you can also contour the upper portion of the handle to create a comfortable grip. With this smoothing blade you will generate excellent leverage and good pressure on the surface. We don’t advocate the use of any type of J-roller for veneer application. You will not generate enough pressure with any type of J-roller.

Surface Preparation

Your substrate, or the surface you are going to laminate, needs to be prepped prior to veneering with PSA veneer. For finished surfaces you will need to scuff sand the entire surface with a medium (120 grit) sandpaper. After sanding remove all sanding dust and residue with tack cloth and wipe the surface clean with denatured alcohol. If you plan to veneer on an unfinished wood surface or plywood it is recommended that you first seal the surface with a coat of varnish, shellac or polyurethane finish. Allow the finish ample drying time, usually 24 hours, and then continue on with the veneer application.

READ THE COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HERE.

At WiseWood Veneer we have several popular species with PSA already in stock and we have the capability to apply the adhesive backer to any of our FlexVen™ 10 and FlexVen™ 20 backed flexible wood veneers.