Filling defects in oiled bench-top

[B.C]

Dear all, I need some advice regarding filling some defects in anoil-finish kitchen bench top. The bench top is from IKEA (Numerar) in oak.There were obviouslt fome defects in the timber under a thin "roof oftimber" There was an initial coating of oil applied at the factory withinstuctions to sand and apply 2-3 subsequent coats of oil (Behandla) which isthe recommended coating. The thin roof swelled and was subsequently removedwith the sander, exposing the defect which I now need to fill. I have consideredusing fiberglass resin but am concered about it's ability to bond to recentlyoiled timber. Any advice regarding an alternative approach is gratefullyreceived. I have cut the bench to size so it is unlikely that I can return it.In any case it is too large to be transported in my vehicle.

Cheers

Brenton

[Master Splinter]

By 'thin roof', I'm presuming you mean a veneer of timber.

Usually, for a veneer bubble you inject a small quantity of glue under the veneer and weight it down while the glue sets. Otherwise, you route out the dodgy bit and replace with a new patch of veneer - Burned Table Top Repair by David Termini - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyv3ddOGtqY)

The problem you have is that the substrate won't match the colour of the veneer; you really need to patch the veneer with a matching veneer. You could try using a tinted epoxy (not a polystyrene resin, as it doesn't stick that well to timber), but it is a pretty visible repair.

Clean the area of the repair with a rag and some acetone to get rid of oil, rub the area with 100 grit sandpaper to give the epoxy a nice rough surface to grab on to, apply the epoxy (after using some cement oxide colour to tint it), let it set, sand it smooth.

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Do you have an off cut? Can you lift a piece of veneerand re glue it and once weighted and adhered, sand lightly?
Timber mate putty works well with oiled surfaces. Once it isdry, sanded and oiled, it will take the same sheen level of the oiled surface. Witha bit of playing around with different colours, you will be able to match justabout anything....in colour that is. It can with time come away but can then be repaired again.
If you use an epoxy, you may just want to hit it with somesteel wool or similar to remove the “shine” off the surface, otherwise you willsee the different sheen level over the surface.
Another suggestion, depending on where the repair needs tobe done and also how wide, once oiled, you may try melting some furniture waxonto it, and again you will need to play around with colour and once finishedand dry just level the surface off. This method we use to fill any e.g. nailholes that were missed initially when oiling floors.
Routing out a piece and repairing that spot as suggested isprobably the best option but it depends on where it is and how obvious it willbe when finished.
Either way, the repair will show but unfortunately thesethings happen. Good Luck.

[B.C]

[QUOTE=Master Splinter;1696528]By 'thin roof', I'm presuming you mean a veneer of timber.
Hi Master & Angela, It's not a veneered top (actually laminated chunks of oak). The roof over the defect was like a veneer however. I do have some off cuts so I could try to make a patch as you have suggested. Thanks heaps for the advice. Cheers Brenton

[ian]

Hi Brendan

what you describe sounds a lot like a manufacturing defect to mme there should be no need to veneer over solid wood, even if its laminated block construction, unless it's to conceal a defect.

first off I'd contact Ikea regarding a replacement top.

A repair will always be visible and subject to damage.

[LGS]

I agree with Ian, IKEA should be the first place you go to. It does sound like a fault in the product. Maybe they will replace it?

Regards,

Rob

[ian]

By 'thin roof', I'm presuming you mean a veneer of timber.
Hi Master & Angela, It's not a veneered top (actually laminated chunks of oak). The roof over the defect was like a veneer however. I do have some off cuts so I could try to make a patch as you have suggested. Thanks heaps for the advice. Cheers Brenton


what you describe sounds a lot like a manufacturing defect to mme there should be no need to veneer over solid wood, even if its laminated block construction, unless it's to conceal a defect.

first off I'd contact Ikea regarding a replacement top.

So Brendan,
what did you do?
how did it turn out?