Ripples in my glue up

[Sally]

I glued my picture on the wood for a puzzle. When I came back it had big ripples on it. I sanded it off and re-glued a new picture. I weighted it down this time. It still has small ripples. I used 5 ply, 1/4" with white glue. Something's wrong. Help!!

[wood-n-things]

I encounter that sometimes and until the glue begins to dry, I have to baby sit the pic...I keep smoothing and smoothing, gently, using a credit card, and I have a roller I use as well.

I get less rippling with mod podge...<hint>

Where did you find the 5 ply? Please.

[Scrolling Days]

Hi, Sally! I feel your pain! I've had that happen in the past as well (I think we all have). Once I had a beautiful print mounted and glued (I put it into a caul to dry overnight) and the next day there were big "bubble" lifts all over the place. I figured that air must have gotten in, and that I would be able to flatten them out when I cut to them, and reglue the lifts. Of course, the bubbles were closer to the center of the picture, and by the time I got to them with the scrollsaw, a good portion of the puzzle was cut. It turns out they weren't air, but solid glue bubbles. I think I probably put too much glue on.

Anyways, the problem couldn't be corrected and the puzzle was discarded. Grrrrr. I remember sending Carter an E-Mail to seek his input on the matter. I think the secret is attending the puzzle during the early drying and not putting it too rapidly into a caul or press.

Don't get frustrated, though. We've all been there.

[Sally]

Thanks Mike and Shawn. I'll baby the next one closely. I used to have a rolling pin - I wonder what I did with it? I may try to fix this one, Shawn, because it's not too bad.
The first glue up was with Mog Podge - probably too thick. Just mog podged and walked away - didn't look at it again until it was too late. I'm still using the 5 ply that I bought at Wildwood before the discussion about it developed.
(Mike you said you couldn't find the Triple Thick near your house. Our Michael"s carries it and I'd be glad to get it for you and mail it over. Just PM me.)

[turtleteasers]

Originally Posted by Sally

I used to have a rolling pin - I wonder what I did with it?

Sally,
I think a rolling pin would be too firm for this purpose. I use a printer's brayer, which is a small hard rubber roller (4" wide). You can get one in your local craft store in the scrapbooking section. The one I have is Speedball brand and comes with two rollers, one hard rubber and one softer rubber. I find the softer one to be more suitable.

I put a very thin film of adhesive on both the wood and the paper (although I suspect that it is overkill to coat both surfaces), then use the roller from the center to the edges to ensure that any excess glue is expelled past the edge and that the paper and the wood have a good contact. This way I never get wrinkles. Make sure you keep the roller clean of adhesive, and if you should get any adhesive on the face of the picture it can usually be removed with a barely damp paper towel.

[JohnB]

Sally, You can fix the puzzle you have, If the bubbling isn't to bad, by filling syringe with 50/50 water and PVA and injecting a little through the bubble then working it flat.

I usually use spray contact, but when I do use wood glue, I thin it 50/50 with water.

[Carter-Johnson]

Sally, spread the glue very thin and even with a plastic paint scraper one direction, then the other until it truly appears uniform. Put the picture on slowly.... circular motions with your fingers from one corner to its opposite. (I don't use a roller but I bet it would work well.) Then, as has been said, watch it closely and smooth out bubbles as they arise.

Another thing... the thinner the paper of the picture, the more prone it is to bubbles. I never use paper thinner than a magazine cover and even that thickness often causes problems.

And remember, you're going to be cutting pieces, which will visually hide many small bubbles.

Best wishes.... keep it phun... Carter

[Sally]

Gosh - you guys are great. Thank you. I will work with thinner glue and slower and get a roller. I am saving this last glue up - thank goodness.
Boy this issue of SSWC is great - thanks Carter for the wonderful puzzle articles. So many of our list friends have articles in this issue. It's truly exciting.

[KtownScroller]

I wonder how well those vacuum bag doosemahickeys work? It would be interesting to test one out on a project. Even if it worked I would think the cost would be prohibitive.

What would happen if you place a piece of wood on top of the puzzle with a brick or paperweight on top? Would that keep the glued surface flat?

[Sally]

Those vacuum bag things are expensive - we had a man that uses one for marquee (sp?) demonstrate at our guild meeting recently. It's a big deal. It's so complicated I personally wouldn't want one - I'd never use it.