Please Note
In addition to the questions and answers shown below, you'll find a lot of other helpful information on the Joe Woodworker Veneer Glue FAQ page.

Which tone should I use for a veneer with both light and dark colors?
Generally speaking, it's best to choose a darker tone when the veneer contains both light and dark colors. When working with a burl veneer, consider using a tone that matches the color of the wood cells around the voids, which are often somewhat darker than the rest of the veneer. Some species such as Karelian birch burl have a very light color for much of the surface area but have very dark burl pockets. It's best to use the medium or extra dark tone of the cold press glue for these types of veneers.

Do I apply the glue to the back of the veneer and to the project surface?
X-Press glue should only be applied to the project surface. Do not apply it to the back of the veneer.

Is this adhesive freeze/thaw stable?
Freezing will not harm this product.

What is the best way to apply this adhesive?
We offer a very affordable (and reusable) glue roller that is ideal for applying X-Press glue.

Do you have a size smaller than a quart?
I only have the sizes listed on product page. The quart is the smallest I offer, since there is very little cost savings if we offered a pint size.

Do you have a size larger than a gallon?
I only have the sizes listed on product page. A five-gallon bucket would cost the same as five individual gallons, and it would be incredibly expensive to ship.

Can this adhesive be used for general purpose woodworking?
Yes. This glue is excellent for standard glue joints, especially since the glue line will have a wood tone.

Can I thin this adhesive with water?
X-Press veneer glue can be thinned up to 5% by volume to make it easier to spread. Thinning should not be required if you are using the glue roller we offer. Be aware that thinning this adhesive can increase the chance of bleed-through. Lastly, I recommend against thinning X-Press when it will be used with maple veneer.

Why would I get less coverage per bottle than what it shows on the label?
It is very common for new X-Press users to apply way too much glue to the substrate. A quart of X-Press will cover approximately 70 square feet of substrate surface. This is approximately 2.2 square feet per ounce of adhesive when applied correctly.

What can I do to extend the open time of this X-Press?
Better Bond X-Press™ veneer glue has an open time of 10 to 12 minutes. For larger projects, this means you need to work quickly to get the project into the bag. But there are easy ways to increase the open time to as much as 20 minutes.

You can lengthen the open time by "priming" the substrate with a 60/40 mixture of water and cold press veneer glue. Brush or roll this on to the substrate and let it dry. The primer coat will seal the pores of the substrate, so the water from the glue is not pulled out. Be sure to thoroughly scuff sand the surface with 60 grit sand paper after the glue has dried. This can add 5 to 8 minutes to the open time without affecting the adhesion. You can then proceed to apply glue to the substrate as you would to adhere the veneer to the substrate.

You can get even more open time by lowering the temperature in the shop. For some, this means turning down the heat. For others, it means turning up the air conditioning or working in the evening when shop temperatures are lowest. Cooler temperatures slow down the setting of the glue. Don't go below 60° F as that will not allow the glue to cure.

Can I use this glue on paper-backed veneer?
Yes. Thoroughly scuff the back side of the veneer before application to allow adequate penetration of the adhesive.

Is this glue thicker than other water-based veneer adhesives?
Most of the water-based veneer adhesives appear to be roughly 4,500 centipoise. X-Press adhesives is considerably thicker at approximately 13,500 centipoise. Thinner glues have a tendency to bleed through into the face of the veneer, which typically ruins the project. We've been able to increase centipoise without reducing the strength of the bond.

What the heck is centipoise?
It is a unit of measurement for viscosity. Take a look at this page for more information.

Will this glue work for bent laminations?
For any type of multi-layer veneering, it is best to use a PPR glue such as Ultra-CAT.

What is the shelf life of this adhesive?
Our supplier specifies 15 months of shelf life. Since our inventory turn-over rate is just under 3 months, our customers can expect 12 months of shelf life. Refrigerating this adhesive does not extend this time.

Can I use this glue even if it is beyond the shelf life?
That is a risk that you have to be willing to take. I would not recommend it, and I would not use an expired adhesive for my own veneer projects. Typically, there are no indicators that a glue has exceeded the shelf life and is not suitable for use.

What filler can I use if my project surface has gouges in it?
Wood fillers typically create a non-porous surface. The problem is that water-based adhesives do not bond very well to non-porous surfaces. However, when the damaged area is minimal, I use the X-Press glue as a filler. It takes longer to harden than conventional wood filler, but once it dries, it is rock-hard and easy to sand flush with the panel surface. I've also had success filling small areas with both Bondo and with Elmer's "Stainable" wood filler. On larger gouges, I've had success with Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty. Be sure to scuff sand the filled areas with 60 or 80 grit paper to get maximum bond strength.

What kind of finishes can be used on a project that has been veneered using this adhesive?
You can use shellac as well as water-based, oil-based, lacquer-based, and alkyd-based stains and top coats. Do not flood the surface with the first coat of finish. Apply a light coat and allow it to dry. Then proceed with heavier coats of finish as needed.

Is this glue suitable for thick veneers?
The current norm for veneer thickness is 1/42". Better Bond X-Press adhesive is perfect for this thickness and any veneer up to 1/32". For thicker veneer, a PPR glue such as Ultra-CAT is recommended. Here's why... All wood veneers expand and contract with seasonal changes in humidity. A thick veneer has a greater ability to expand and contract with seasonal humidity changes. Problems can arise when the veneer expands and contracts more than the substrate, and this can lead to "veneer creep". It is avoided by using an exceptionally strong glue to bond the veneer to the substrate. A PPR glue like Ultra-CAT is more than strong enough to prevent creeping of thicker veneers.

Can I use this adhesive on crotch grain veneer?
Better Bond X-Press veneer glue is not recommended for crotch veneers. A plastic powdered resin glue such as Ultra-CAT™ is far better for challenging veneers with crotch grain.

Where can I find a chart that shows all of the Better Bond veneer glue differences?
This downloadable adhesive chart shows all key points about each of the Better Bond veneer adhesives and may be helpful when choosing a glue for your next veneering project.

What else should I know about this glue?
The importance of applying this glue correctly can not be overstated. Don't make the mistake of using a paint brush or paint roller. Our reusable glue roller is the recommended tool for applying this adhesive. A good test is to draw pencil lines on the substrate and then apply the glue. Be sure to cover the entire substrate surface evenly. If you can readily see the pencil marks on the substrate (through the adhesive), you probably have the right amount of glue. If you can't see the pencil line at all, then you might have applied twice as much glue as necessary.

Always use 80 grit sandpaper to scuff sand the substrate material. This will create the best possible bond strength.

One of the most common veneering problems is the tendency of the panel to warp after it is removed from the press. There are two easy ways to minimize this issue. The first is to veneer both sides of the panel. A backer veneer should be used on the reverse side of the substrate. This will balance the stress placed on the substrate as the glue dries and the veneer re-acclimates to the shop environment. The second step to preventing panel warp is to allow both sides of the panel to dry evenly. Support the panel with dowels on a flat surface until the glue has cured.

Unbacked maple veneer requires special attention. Avoid problems by scuff sanding the adhesive side of the maple veneer and ensuring that there is adequate clamping pressure while the glue sets up.

Some settling of content is normal and does not affect the integrity of the bond. To minimize settling, store the bottle on its side and rotate it one-half turn once a month.

Clamp/Press/Set Time: 45 - 60 minutes
Cure Time: 3 - 4 hours *
Open Time: 10 - 12 minutes *
Shelf Life: 12 months *
Available Tones: Light, Medium & Extra Dark
* approximately

Why can't I clamp the veneered panel for more than 60 minutes?
Cold press adhesives cure by evaporation. In a vacuum or mechanical press, there is very little air movement at the glue line, and so there is very little curing that takes place. Clamping for more than 60 minutes can allow the glue to over-saturate the veneer and substrate, which causes swelling of wood cells that leads to ripples forming in the veneer. Also, mold can form on the veneer if the panel is pressed for too long. This is especially true with cherry and maple. For cold press glue, always press the panel for 45 to 60 minutes and then let it cure outside of the press for 3 to 4 hours.

Uh oh! I got a ripple in my veneer after pressing. What caused this?
Check out VQ10 on the JWW FAQ page for a discussion of what can cause this and how to prevent it.