Repairing a Damaged Desk Top
Taken from Used Office Furniture Site.
Question:
I have a pressed wood office desk, and now the paper like cherry wood finish is peeling. How to repair it?
Reply from cathy
December 16th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Wood glue, and then put some heavy books on it for a few hours. It’ll hold for a while, but sooner or later it’ll probably start curling up again. It’s just that kind of furniture.
Author’s Note: The pressed wood the query mentioned, refers to the substrate the paper is stuck to. In this case, MDF, Medium Density Fibreboard. The paper-like finish the questioner is alluding to, is what’s known as a foil finish. You can get various qualities of this type. The most basic type, is literally a wafer thin ‘imitation’ grain paper. You will find these foil finishes used extensively throughout the furniture trade.
My Answer:
I would disagree to using wood glue to stick the paper down, as it is water based adhesive. I would you use a contact adhesive (thixotropic) as this will allow slight adjustment when sticking.
Do make sure that you prepare the surface, abrade with 240 grit garnet paper (preferably) or sandpaper. Make sure surface is clean and dry. Then apply glue as per instructions. Work from originally stuck area out. An unheated steam iron would be a suitable tool to use for pressing and then once happy leave on area ’til glue has set.
It may be that the paper’s grain colour may be discoloured because of this peeling. It can be improved using ‘graining-in pens’. I can show you how to do this, short video coming shortly. But, for now. this is how to do the above.
Cathy’s right it is what it is! But at least it will give extended life to the unit.
Good Luck!
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