Veneer treatment, giving it flexibility

[VladimirIvanov]

Hello. Does anybody know how to treat 0.55 mm veneer for giving it flexibility and durability for making lamp shades? I’ll be very grateful for answer! Image for example:
409982

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Vladimir and welcome to the forums.

I have used a couple of techniques. One is a proprietary veneer softener on difficult veneers. The one that I used is sold here in Australia https://www.carbatec.com.au/embellishment/veneering-tools/veneer-softener but there are other brands sold around the world.

However, when I have had to get veneers around curves (not for your purpose but as part of restoring antique furniture) I have simply soaked the veneer in hot water. The wood fibres soften up and the veneer becomes very flexible. It needs to be handled very carefully and needs a lot of support when it is wet so I would suggest that you have the former for your shape close to the vat of hot water.

Please be aware that the veneer expands in the water and then shrinks as it dries. If you want it to stay smooth you probably need to have some means of pressing it onto the former and absorbing the water.

Good luck

David

[VladimirIvanov]

Hi Vladimir and welcome to the forums.

I have used a couple of techniques. One is a proprietary veneer softener on difficult veneers. The one that I used is sold here in Australia https://www.carbatec.com.au/embellishment/veneering-tools/veneer-softener but there are other brands sold around the world.

However, when I have had to get veneers around curves (not for your purpose but as part of restoring antique furniture) I have simply soaked the veneer in hot water. The wood fibres soften up and the veneer becomes very flexible. It needs to be handled very carefully and needs a lot of support when it is wet so I would suggest that you have the former for your shape close to the vat of hot water.

Please be aware that the veneer expands in the water and then shrinks as it dries. If you want it to stay smooth you probably need to have some means of pressing it onto the former and absorbing the water.

Good luck

David

Thank you, but it is not that i really meant. Temporary softening is not what i want. I'm seeking for some treatment technique that gives veneer permanent flexibility. Moreover, i think it will crack over time in untreated state. And it's fairly difficult to treat it after forming.