BetterBond Heat Lock™ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply Heat Lock?
Please click here to learn how Heat Lock adhesive is applied.

What tools do I need to use Heat Lock?
In addition to veneer, substrate material and the HL adhesive, you'll need a clothes iron, glue roller, and a small piece of cotton or flannel cloth. You may also find it helpful to have masking tape available.

Do I need to due a practice sheet first?
It’s always a good idea to do a test panel with some scrap before you begin.

What species does this glue work with?
We've tested Heat Lock with 60 different species of wood and achieved excellent results with each one. Even oily woods like teak respond well to Heat Lock. The only veneers with some issues are quilted bubinga and occasionally with figured mahogany. The extremely dense wood cells in this species do not respond well to heat.

Can I use Heat Lock for seaming two or more veneers together?
Bookmatching or any other veneer seaming technique can be very difficult with Heat Lock™ due to veneer shrinkage from the heat of the iron. However, there is a work-around" for the problem. To solve the shrinking problem, you can place a straight piece of clothes hanger wire about 2" away from the seam. Then iron down the seam. Next, pull the clothes hanger wire out and iron down the bubble that it left behind. This will force the seam tight. This technique requires a bit of practice but it does work well.

What kind of finish can I use with Heat Lock and how soon can I use the panel after it has been veneered?
It's best to let the adhesive fully harden before staining/finishing the veneered surface. This normally takes a few hours. Since Heat Lock cures hard, practically any non-water based stain or finish can be applied.

What kind of wood grains are compatible with Heat Lock?
Burl veneer is probably the best grain with Heat Lock. The interlocking and variant grain pattern in a burl allows the wood cells to respond to heat without splitting or cracking. Quilted, curly, bird's eye, and straight grain veneer should be treated with veneer softener to minimize splitting near the edges.

Why do I need veneer softener when ironing the veneer?
Veneer softener makes wood cells pliable and allows them contract and expand without separating and thereby causing a split.

Will this adhesive work with paper-backed veneers?
Heat Lock will work very well with paper-backed adhesives. Even paper-backed straight grain woods adhere very nicely.

Can I cut small strips of veneer to make custom edgebanding?
Yes! Heat Lock is great for edgebanding. Be sure to apply you banding before you veneer the top of the panel.

Do I need to veneer both sides of the panel?
Yes. Most panels less than 3/4" thick will warp if both sides are not veneered. This is a phenomenon that affects all forms of veneering including vacuum press work.

Why do I need the cotton or flannel cloth?
The cloth is placed between the iron and the veneer to prevent scorching. This also reduces direct heat on the veneer which will minimize splitting caused by excessive heat or poorly manufactured veneer.

Can I use Heat Lock to repair piece of damage or lifted veneer?
Veneer has a tendency to shrink from the heat of the clothes iron which will leave a gap between the edge of the damaged/delaminated veneer and the edge of the original veneer. In this case, the best option is to use BetterBond cold press veneer glue and place some weight on top of the delaminated veneer while it dries.

My project is fairly large. How much coverage can I expect from a pint?
Heat Lock was designed for woodworkers and cabinetmakers who do not want to invest in a vacuum press for small veneer projects. A pint size bottle of Heat Lock will cover approximately 45 square feet of veneer.

Do you have any local distributors for Heat Lock?
At this time, VeneerSupplies.com is the only distributor of Heat Lock iron-on veneer adhesive. We are looking for national and international distributors. Please contact us for further information.

Does the color of the adhesive show through on lighter wood species like maple?
Due to the thick consistency of Heat Lock, bleed-through is very unlikely so even lighter woods like sycamore and maple are not affected by the color of the adhesive.

What kind of substrate can I use for my panel?
Heat Lock will work with a variety of substrate materials such as wood, plywood, MDF and particle board. Make sure the substrate is clean and lightly scuffed with 100 grit sandpaper.

When I applied the adhesive, my veneer started to curl up. What should I do?
Before applying Heat Lock, its best to tape down the edges of the veneer to a piece of cardboard. Leave the veneer taped down until the glue is set and the panel is ready to be heated.

My veneered panel has some rippled areas on it. What should I do?
Ripples can be caused by an inadequate amount of adhesive on the veneer and substrate. To avoid this, it is highly recommended that an inexpensive, dedicated glue roller is used to apply the adhesive. To fix the ripples, you cut a fine slit into the rippled parts and injecting a bit of Heat Lock inside. Allow it to set up for several minutes and then iron down the wrinkles.

Can I use the Heat Lock glue in a heated dry press?
Yes. If you have access to this type of press, Heat Lock can be used. We have been told by Heat Lock users that 150-180° for seven minutes works very well.