Photo finish: my solution!

[miniman82]

Originally Posted by ohohyodafarted

Method two is the contact cement method we are all familiar with. Coat both surfaces with contact cement, wait till dry to the touch and then sitck the veneer down. This method does not allow for repositioning so where the pieces come together is what you are stuck with. IN most cases, you will be trimming off the excess anyhow so it won't matter.

Method 2 is the one I will use, since this paper-backed veneer has instructions to that effect. I have a pint can of cement, hopefully it will be enough. Raw veneer can use either method, and there is also a third type with adhesive already on it- you simply pull off the backing paper and stick it down. Doesn't sound very permanent though, more like something you would do if you were covering a desk on the cheap.

Originally Posted by ohohyodafarted

Do you have any opinions on how you think the photo finishes were applied and what they were made from? I have always been curious about the process of photo finish, but have never been able to find any information on how this process was accomplished. I often wonder if it was an early form, or an offshoot of the Formica laminate process which is actually printed on paper and then compressed into a melamine sandwich.

I was thinking the same thing, Bob. It's either bonded plastic/formica, or they literally applied the liquid plastic directly on to the wood in layers depending on the image they were using a la early bubble jet printing process. Under the fake wood image, it's more or less this reddish colored crud that's left over. That's the stuff I had to sand down. Perhaps that was the color of bonding agent they were using, or just the base upon which they applied the faux wood design? You know, something like a base layer of mahogany color with black for the simulated wood grain.