Are you tired of contact cement fumes? Have your panels delaminated in high use areas? Do you need a fast setting and easy to use adhesive for commercial veneer work? Then Flex-Pro™ is the adhesive miracle you've been looking for!

Better Bond's Flex-Pro adhesive is a fast tack synthetic resin dispersion adhesive specially created for use with backed veneers. Its quick setting formula does not require a vacuum press and allows veneers to be applied to vertical and hard to reach areas. Particle board, MDF, plywood, and other porous substrates can be used with Flex-Pro. This superb adhesive is also suitable for use with high pressure laminates and is compatible with most major finishes.

Features

• Quick tack and setting times
• Superior bond strength ideal for commercial applications
• Unlike contact cement, Flex Pro allows a small amount of re-positioning
• Flex-Pro emits no VOC's and is non-polluting
• Excellent gap filling properties
• No fumes like contact cement
• Thick consistency reduces dripping during application to vertical panels
• Very good heat resistance
• Non-flammable
• Cleans up with warm water
• High solid content (approx 56%)

Instructions

Be sure to build a test panel with Flex-Pro prior to use on a project. Scuff the substrate with 100 grit sandpaper. Use a glue roller to apply an even coat of adhesive to the substrate. A 4 to 7 mil spread rate is adequate. Do not apply Flex-Pro to the veneer. Allow 3 to 5 minutes of open time and apply the backed veneer. This time frame is dependent on the porosity of the substrate and ambient temperature and humidity. The glue should be wet when the veneer is placed onto the substrate. Set the veneer onto the substrate and wait 10 to 15 minutes before running the panel through a nip/pinch rolling machine. If a pinch roller is not available, a veneer scraper or a small block of softwood may be used to set the veneer.

Completed panels may be dead stacked for 1 hour to ensure adequate bonding. Allow 24 hours for the panel to fully cure before machining. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to bubbles forming on the veneer surface. If this issue arises, the bubbles can be removed by applying heat from a clothes iron set to a medium-high temperature. Place a cotton cloth between the iron and the veneer to prevent scorching.

Flex-Pro has a shelf life of 6 months.

Tips from Joe

I've used Flex-Pro on several non-standard substrates and had success. Since there are no solvents in this fast-tack adhesive, I've used it on painted substrates as long as the paint is intact. Past projects have included painted door and window jams as well as stair case stringers. Remember, this glue is used with paper backed veneers only. Flex-Pro is comparable to FSV or "flexible sheet veneer" glue. It's just less expensive.

How do I apply Flex Pro?
Get the glue roller... it's worth every penny. 

What is the Flex-Pro coverage per gallon?
There is no specified coverage amount but I believe you could get 225 square feet per gallon.

How many coats of Flex-Pro need to be applied to substrate and/or veneer?
Just one is needed unless the surface is very porous. If the glue dries up quickly or unevenly then a second coat should be applied.

What is "dead stacking" and what if I have curved or bowed surfaces?
Dead stacking refers to placing completed panels under some weigh just to insure a perfect bond. It's not absolutely necessary but if the panel was poorly bonded, the dead stacking will minimize (if not eliminate) any delamination.

Did I correctly read that one must wait 24 hours before flush-routing the glued veneer?
Generally you need to wait until the glue fully hardens before machining it. The text book time is 24 hours though it's probably much less.

How will Flex-Pro hold up under my finish?
There shouldn't be any problems if you have followed the instructions. I've used all sorts of finishes and I've never had any issues unless it was related to me not following the Flex-Pro instructions. Waterbased stains and top coats will create immediate problems if the bond is not made properly so following the directions is critical.

Can Flex-Pro be used with a traditional veneer hammer?
The initial high-tack bond of this adhesive allows it to be used with paperbacked veneer in the tradition of veneer hammering however I still recommend a veneer scraper which applies more pressure the a veneer hammer.

Why is this stuff pink?
When the original version of this product was developed many years ago, it was tinted pink to match the color of Wilsonart spray contact cement. This helped to reduce any shock when cabinet and furniture makers were first asked to test the product.

How long should one wait before applying topcoats over a panel completed with Flex-Pro?
24 hours.