How to Repair a Bubble in a Wooden Tabletop

Getting rid of a bubble — or blister — on a wooden tabletop helps it look smooth again. A bubble sometimes occurs due to the table's age. Another likely cause is setting something hot and damp on it, such as a steaming cup of coffee. Many tables have a thin layer of wood — called a veneer — on top of less-expensive wood. This is the part that bubbles. Repairing the blister requires inexpensive supplies and tools and about a half hour.

Utility knife or razor blade
White distilled vinegar
Microwaveable bowl
Eyedropper
Thin knife blade
Thin cleaning cloth
Carpenter's glue
Glue syringe or toothpick
Heavy books or wood block
C-clamp (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the bubble open with a utility knife or razor blade, making a slit across it. Make the slit along the grain of the wood.
- 2
  Heat a small amount — about a 1/4 cup — of the white distilled vinegar in a bowl in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds — just enough to warm it.
- 3
  Squeeze the bulb on the eyedropper to fill it with the warmed white vinegar.
- 4
  Hold the slit open while you squirt in enough warm vinegar to cover the glue underneath the veneer. Use a thin knife blade to hold it open. Allow the vinegar to sit for five or six hours. This dissolves the glue.
- 5
  Remove any remaining vinegar. Simply cover the thin knife blade with a soft, thin cleaning cloth and insert it in the blister to absorb any excess vinegar. Allow the area to dry completely before continuing.
- 6
  Insert a generous amount of carpenter's glue into the slit. Do this with a glue bottle that has a narrow tip or a glue syringe. Other options are a thin knife blade or toothpick.
- 7
  Press the bubble down gently with your fingertips. This helps spread the glue underneath the veneer.
- 8
  Tear off a piece of wax paper and place it over the bubble.
- 9
  Set a heavy book or a wood block on the wax paper.
- 10
  Clamp the weight in place, if the area is near the edge. Use a C-clamp for this. If using a clamp is not an option, simply place another book or other heavy object on top of the first weight.
- 11
  Remove the clamp and heavy objects after the carpenter's glue dries overnight.

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