Delaminating veneer on plywood

[Vtshopdog]

I see more cracks in line with the lamp base in front of the window and elsewhere in the sheet - is this the case?  To my eye it’s possible you are seeing only the beginning of your troubles.

Appears all the cracks are evenly spaced and in line with the wood grain. Wild guess but possibly the veneer is rotary cut from a log and the cracks are remnants of successive growth rings or some defect in the log??  Can you see anything matching this spacing pattern in the veneer at equivalent of the “end grain” on one of your scrap pieces?

Big box plywood suppliers are likely under pretty severe price pressure these days and cutting veneer from lower grade logs might help them hit the price point their buyers want.

FWW- I’ve done tons of diluted minwax finishes on sheet goods with no issues. Also doubt Lowes will do anything beyond replace your sheet or refund.

 

[Packard]

Do we think the photos are sufficient evidence to present my case?  They are not going to my house to examine it.

 

[kevinculle]

Shellac diluted 50% with DNA is a very standard formulation for initial coats of finish and I have used this for decades on solid and plywood with good results and no issues.  Plywood that won't tolerate standard finishing techniques is defective.  I suspect the cause of this surface failure is a combination of too thin a face veneer and substandard bonding.  It's worth taking a look at remnants of the material if you have them to see if the show face veneer and the other side veneer are of consistent thickness providing balanced movement with humidity changes. 

 

[Packard]

Shellac diluted 50% with DNA is a very standard formulation for initial coats of finish and I have used this for decades on solid and plywood with good results and no issues.  Plywood that won't tolerate standard finishing techniques is defective.  I suspect the cause of this surface failure is a combination of too thin a face veneer and substandard bonding.  It's worth taking a look at remnants of the material if you have them to see if the show face veneer and the other side veneer are of consistent thickness providing balanced movement with humidity changes.

Thanks.  I have roughly 1/2 sheet left (unfinished) and I will check it out.  The unfinished shows no sign of delamination.

I think today (Presidents’ Day) would not be a good time to present this issue to Lowes.  I will stop in on Tuesday.

 

[woodferret]

This whole solvent issue.... gotta ask, was the maple ply Purebond (tm)? 

 

[Cheese]

Ouch...that hurts, it looks like the entire surface is lifting, it's just looks worse at the edge.

I'd consider sanding, prepping and finishing some of the ply you have left, in EXACTLY the manner in which you finshed the counter top and it that lifts, I'd bring that sample along with the photos to Lowes for their inspection.

They may just choose to go back to their supplier and ask some questions once they have a defective sample in their hands.

 

[Packard]

Ouch...that hurts, it looks like the entire surface is lifting, it's just looks worse at the edge.

I'd consider sanding, prepping and finishing some of the ply you have left, in EXACTLY the manner in which you finshed the counter top and it that lifts, I'd bring that sample along with the photos to Lowes for their inspection.

They may just choose to go back to their supplier and ask some questions once they have a defective sample in their hands.

That’s a thought, though it did not start to delaminate right away.  I can certainly do that though.

 

[Cheese]

That’s a thought, though it did not start to delaminate right away.  I can certainly do that though.

Well you're really not under a time constraint so if it takes a month or so does it make any difference? It's not like the clock is running. [smile]  Tough to argue with a guy that shows up with bad product in his hand.

 

[Packard]

I will make up a sample starting this afternoon.  I can only apply 2 - 3 coats per day, so about 3 days’ work.  Then I will leave it on the counter for the same sun exposure.  I will keep you all advised.

 

[Cheese]

The alternative is to cut up what you have that's damaged but you wanted to use that as a pattern.

 

[Packard]

Yeah.  I’m not cutting it up until I transfer it to a new countertop.  I don’t keep track of hours I put into a job, but the template was the larger portion of the work.

I am a big believer in avoiding measuring tools.  So templates, story sticks and direct transfer of dimensions are all favored. 

A recent large format tile (24” x 24”) tub surround had several templates, especially for the hole locations of the plumbing.  I know that others simply measure and transfer, but that has never worked out well for me.