Veneer Softener

[Allen]

I have a project coming up that I anticipate is going to be very difficult to bend the sides so got in a bottle of Veneer Softener from Carbatec.

Today I had a set of extremely curly Aussie Blackwood that I've built with quite a bit and know I have to go slow and very careful, so decided that this would be a great try out for the product.

Must say I'm more than amazed. I'm certain that a complete newbie would successfully bend those sides on the iron. In fact I can't think of any set of sides that I've bent that would have been easier.

[Dave M]

What was your regime Allen?

[Allen]

Brush on (bottle didn't come with spray head) just so it wet each side. Let dry (about 15 minutes) and then spritz with water and bend on the iron are normal.

[lamanoditrento]

It is a really useful thing to have when you need it. We have however had problems with veneer softener and silky oak with the wood almost disintegrating as if it was cardboard.

[nkforster]

There is always the cheapskate version - fabric softener. Pick a white one.

[Trevor Gore]

I bought some veneer softener from Carbatec years ago (price on my bottle $22, vs. $42 for what looks like the identical bottle now). I found it didn't work nearly as well as the fabric softener I was using. Maybe the formulation has changed???

[gdebinche]

Hi,
I just read that Mr. Gore had used fabric softener to help bend difficult wood in the past. I
went throught this forum and found that there not seems to exist a 'standard' recipes/procedure, nor what fabric softener to look for (active ingredients). Would somebody be king enough to share a proven recipes. Thanks.
Mario

[kiwigeo]

The active ingredient in the Supersoft 2 veneer softener is Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... pLjERgP0ZG

[56nortondomy]

I use earth choice fabric softener, I get it from woolies it's a pale blue colour and only costs a few dollars and it works well. Wayne

[Mark McLean]

A traditional veneer softening recipe is 6 parts water, 3 parts alcohol (methylated spirits), 1 part glycerol (buy it at a pharmacy). Some recipes also add 1 part yellow glue. I have used this, Supersoft 2 and Rivergum brand from Carbatec. I think they all work, and in about equal measure. The home brew is about a tenth the cost. I haven’t tried supermarket fabric softener but I am sure it is helpful too

[kiwigeo]

The cheap supermarket fabric softener is great....even if you end up cracking your side set you end up with nice soft hands

Merry Christmas!!

[gdebinche]

thank you all. Happy to know the glycerin-based softener recipes. About the fabric softener, is it applied pure or mixed with hot water (in what proportion) ? Also, does these softeners are shellac 'friendly' for french polishing?
I am from Canada and ss2 as an import is way too expensive because of 60$ Usd shipping cost.
Mario

[Mark McLean]

The important thing to understand about using any of these things is that it is a pre-treatment. You saturate the timber and than leave it to dry. Then bend by whatever method you prefer. At least, that is how I use it.

It doesn’t seem to cause any problems with finish that will be applied later. Certainly not with shellac anyway

Merry Christmas to all.

[56nortondomy]

I mix mine in hot water, just a good splash in half a bucket full. I soak for about 25 minutes then bend while it's still wet, works for me. I've bent a gidgee cutaway side for a tenor uke with no problem. Wayne

[gdebinche]

Well, bending wet or dry, that is the question! Since it seems to work in both cases, I guess that it is about the time it take for the softener to deeply penetrate the wood and soften it. Maybe the longer the better???
Mario