Will Super-Soft 2 work on thicker wood veneer and thin lumber?
Generally speaking, the softener will be less effective on thick-cut veneers. The range of effectiveness is based on thickness, species, and grain orientation. We have heard of good results from guitar makers who use the softener to make some species of thin lumber more bendable. However, this product is designed for use on veneers up to 1/32" thick.

Does Super-Soft 2 affect a veneer that will be adhered with any specific adhesive?
Once dry, Super-Soft 2 has no impact on the bonding of a veneer with any adhesive including CA glue, PPR glue, hide glue, standard cold press glue, or epoxy.

Can I stack veneers between layers of absorbent paper when flattening?
I don't recommend stacking more than four veneers at a time. If the veneers are extremely brittle or wavy, only stack in groups of two. Keep in mind that additional pressure is needed as more layers of veneers are stacked.

How much coverage will I get from a bottle of softener?
There's no way to specify a coverage amount. It really depends on the veneer species, grain, moisture content and method of application. Most users find that a quart goes much further than expected.

What is the shelf life of the softener?
The shelf life is indefinite.

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

What color is Super-Soft 2?
This veneer softener is as clear as water.

Why did my veneer not flatten after being clamped between two boards?
A failure to fully flatten is the result of having inadequate pressure on the veneers during the drying process. Some species will require a lot of clamping pressure to flatten out. Maple, olive-ash, bubinga, and mappa are notoriously difficult to flatten unless a very significant amount of clamping pressure is used. Crotch grain veneers also require a large amount of pressure. A vacuum press and vacuum bag are ideal for the more troublesome veneer species. The vacuum press creates up 1,750 lbs of clamping power per square foot and can be used to flatten a veneer for the first few hours.

What can I do if my veneer didn't flatten out?
If your veneer does not come out flat after the first pressing, apply the softener and start the flattening process again using more clamping pressure. A second application of softener is generally not needed when flattening with a vacuum press, but it is often required if you are simply clamping between two boards with woodworking clamps.

I can't get the veneer to flatten. Isn't this what the softener is supposed to do?
No. Veneer softener is simply a chemical that makes veneer more flexible. Flattening is accomplished with pressure. The softener only relaxes the wood cells so they don't crack during the flattening process. Veneer softener contains water so it can sometimes cause the veneer to develop additional wrinkles, ripples, or waviness (however you prefer to call it) at first, but the softener will make the veneer more pliable so it can be pressed flat with the right amount of pressure. Think of it as one "step backward and two steps forward" when an adequate amount of pressure is put on the veneer.

Will this softener allow the veneer to bend in two directions?
It is a challenge unsuitable for all but the most advanced and well-trained user to apply a veneer to a project with curves on two planes - such as the shape of a potato chip. There are a few master craftsmen who can do this well. Veneer will bend but it will not stretch. Veneer softener makes veneer flexible but not stretchable. You can bend veneer along the grain or across the grain, but not both.

How do I know when the veneer softener has dried?
Determining when the softener has fully dried has a lot to do with your senses. If the veneer feels cool, looks dark, or smells a lot like the softener, then it is not quite dry.

Does Super Soft 2 leave a residue when dry?
No.

What kind of incompatibility issues are there with this softener?
We have yet to find any incompatibility issues with veneers treated with SS2. This includes water-based stains and finishes, oil-based stains and finishes, lacquer, conversion varnish, polyurethane, alcohol-based finishes, wood dyes, shellac, and others.

Is this softener guaranteed to flatten all veneers?
There is no way to promise that veneer softener will work on every veneer. Some veneers respond better than others and it is not always due to the species. For example, there are some teak veneers so oily that no amount of softener will flatten them despite it working very well on other teak veneers. Also, we've found that veneers which have been previously treated with glue-based softeners may not work well with our softener since the glue-based softeners limit the absorption other liquids.

Can I use this veneer softener on paperbacked veneer?
Generally speaking softener is only used on raw wood veneers. However, it can be used sparingly on the face side of a paper backed veneer to allow some additional flexibility. Spray a paper towel with softener and gently wipe on a light, non-saturating coat to make paperbacked veneer more flexible. Always test the softener on a veneer scrap before applying to the project veneer.

Is this veneer softener diluted?
Absolutely not! It is full strength but you can dilute it by 10% with water (though we don't see a benefit to doing that).

Will the softener cause my veneer to bleed color onto the drying paper?
Some veneers have so-called "loose pigments" which when wet (with water or veneer softener), can transfer some color from the wood to the drying paper. This is especially common on darker species such as walnut and rosewood. Don't be alarmed though since this bleeding does not have an impact on the finished tone of the veneer. In this picture, you'll see a rosewood veneer that was treated with softener and dried on absorbent white paper. An image of the veneer transferred to the paper and the actual veneer appeared to have lost some contrast. However, with the application of a clear finish, you can see that all of the contrast and color returned on the completed project.

What's the best method of application?
Spraying is the most efficient way to apply Super-Soft 2.

Can you ship this softener to Canada, Australia, and the other countries listed on your International Orders page?
Yes.

How long will softening effect last?
The softening effects vary from one species to another. Users often find that some flexibility remains for as long as 2 weeks. Generally speaking, you can expect the effects to last from 4 to 7 days.

Can this veneer softener be used on the same veneer more than once?
Yes. If the veneer requires additional flattening, Super-Soft 2 can be re-applied as many times as needed.

Will Super-Soft 2 make the veneer sticky like homemade softener?
Not at all. The veneer will feel soft and pliable not sticky and brittle.

Can I heat the softener with a clothes iron to dry it faster?
Yes but do so in a well-ventilated area. After applying Super-Soft to the veneer, use a clothes iron set on medium heat to dry and flatten the veneer at the same time. It's best to put a cotton or flannel cloth between the veneer and the iron. Keep the iron moving continuously around on the veneer. When the veneer appears to be dry you can prep it for glued in the veneer press. The effects of the softener are notably shorter with this trick so be certain to use the veneer as soon as possible. Otherwise it may ripple again.

Is it safe to dry it with heat?
Here is the answer provided by the chemical supplier about this question: "Most of what will be evaporated into the air at temperatures above 212° F will be water. Super-Soft 2 has a very high boiling point, meaning no volatiles will be produced until over 350° F. Because it contains some water, it's possible that the steam from the water above 212° F will carry some of the softener with it. It's unlikely that the lower temperature will create any volatiles from the veneer softener, so it would be a small amount, if any. If some of the softener does get airborne in the steam, the chemical driven off is diethylene glycol monoethyl ether which, according to the SDS, it is not expected to be an inhalation hazard. However, circulating and exhaust fans should always be used where volatiles are present."

Will this softener affect cutting/trimming with a veneer saw?
A properly sharpened veneer saw will work perfectly with a veneer treated with SS2 once it has dried.

Will this softener allow me to make bent wood rings with veneer?
It depends on the species, radius, grain type, grain direction, and other factors. The softener will help make the veneer more pliable and increase your chance of success but there is no product that can promise success in every situation.

What safety precautions should I employ when using this softener?
Use with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks or open flames. Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product. Do not breathe vapors or spray mist. Wear an appropriate, fitted respirator (NIOSH/MSHA) during/after application unless air monitoring demonstrates vapor/mist levels are below applicable limits. Follow respirator manufacturer's directions for respirator use. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling.