Eveneer Prefinished

SMOKED VENEERS

Smoked veneers are given their characteristic dark colour and unique shade through a finishing process knows as”smoking” in which the wood is exposed to a controlled smoke environment in special chambers. This process intensifies the natural colour variety, with the new colour depending on the amount of tannic acid in the wood. Smoked veneer naturally has a broad colour spectrum. This applies to the length as well as the width.

Smoked veneer edging is made by finger-jointing individual veneer sheets to form a 50lm roll. Because of the colour variations that exist within the veneer sheet in both its length and width, a colour change cannot be avoided in the transition (finger joint) area.

REACTION TO LIGHT

All woods react to direct and indirect light, both natural and artificial (such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps), therefore a change of the surface colour and appearance over time is a natural characteristic, not a defect. In particular, heat and humidity will interact with light to accelerate the ageing process. Furthermore, when exposed to direct and strong light, pastel coloured items can undergo sudden and irregular changes in the original colour.

REACTION TO FIRE

Eveneer Prefinished ALPIready has achieved a Group 1 and Eveneer Prefinished ALPIkord has achieved a Group 2 fire rating according to Specification A2.4 of the Building Code of Australia, BCA C1.10a Fire Hazard Properties, Wall and Ceiling Linings/Coverings. Refer downloads for test results.

POSTFORMING

Eveneer Prefinished ALPIkord can be post-formed utilising similar equipment and techniques used with HPL. The post forming temperature is 145°C. In the static postforming process, an excessively rapid speed of hot bar in conjunction with a failure to properly regulate the temperature can lead to fractures on the curve. If the hot bar stays on the decorative surface for too long it may cause a blistering effect on the polish. In the dynamic postforming process, if the panel moves forwards too quickly fractures may form on the curve. The wrapping mould must be of regular and constant curvature along its entire length. Glue applied to the surface must be of appropriate grammage and temperature in order to avoid detachment and surface defects. The pressure rollers and bars that make up the curving envelope must be kept very clean, accurately regulated along the outline of the curved edge, and fully sheathed in rubber of between 50 and 80 Shore hardness. Sheets must be conditioned at temperatures of at least 15-20°C for a period of 24-48 hours in order to excessive fragility when curved. When post-forming sheets with the wax finish it is important to remove the protective film prior to forming. If the protective film is not removed prior it will burn and adhere to the veneer.

Given the complexity of different processes, industrial production tests are always advisable.

EDGING

Please note that the edging veneer will come from a different log to the face veneer and is finished using a different process. It will therefore look and behave slightly differently to the face. This is not usually an issue for edges seen on a different plane (e.g. door edges) but when edges are in the same plane (e.g. end panels) it is preferable to use strips cut from face material instead.

Finish any exposed edges of the Eveneer Prefinished sheet on your finished product to prevent moisture absorption into the timber layer. This is most easily done with an Aqua-stop-pen.

CUTTING

Panel saws or table saws may be used to cut Eveneer Prefinished before or after lamination. Panels should not be machined within 24 hours of pressing. Routers for trimming edges after bonding must have a smooth, clean base plate, so that the surface of the veneer will not be scratched. Use carbide-tipped bits with ball bearing guide rolls. Keep the bits sharp. Drilling into Eveneer Prefinished may be done with standard wood bits or with router bits. Use a flat, smooth or fine file for a final edge finishing. You may consider applying a light or dark stain to the edge to hide the phenolic line.

within reasonable limits. Use heat resistant place mats under hot items to avoid heat damage.

Spillages
Spillages should be cleaned with a damp cloth as soon as possible as moisture may cause damage to the coating. High humidity, steam and excessive water in contact with the coating may cause the coating to crack and if it gets under the coating causes staining of the veneer surface. If spilled, chemical substances and alcohol should be removed immediately from all veneered surfaces.

Dirty or Greasy Marks
After first wiping with a dry cloth, wipe with a cloth lightly dampened with a mixture of water and a high quality furniture polish. Persistent dirty or greasy marks may be removed with a mild, nonabrasive proprietary cleaner appropriate for the type of surface finish. The appropriateness of the cleaner should be sought from the surface coating or cleaner manufacturer. The effect of the cleaner on the surface should be tested on an inconspicuous section of the finished veneer surface.

Bright light and UV
Direct sunlight, very bright indirect light and excessive heat should be avoided because fading, bleaching or colour changes to the surface coating and the veneer may occur. Use curtains, blinds and UV filter-membranes on windows to reduce the intensity of the light. Excessive hot sunshine may dry the veneer surface more quickly than the veneer substrate thereby causing small surface checks parallel to the grain to appear and possibly damage the surface coating.