Veneer Prep Tips

Worst case scenario when working with your Thin Air Press vacuum bag is that you will get a hole or tear in the vinyl of your bag. While you can always fix a hole (video below), one of the best ways to prevent it from happening is to make sure the project you are pressing doesn't have any sharp edges or splinters.

Always be aware of material that could puncture the bag, on veneer sheets this is usually tiny splinters or sharp corners. Take a bit of time before pressing to sand these areas down and it will go a long way towards the longevity of your bag.

Check the edges of your veneer as well as they may have a sharp edge or splinters just waiting to tear your bag when you slide the project into it. Simply use a sharp utility knife and a ruler to cut the edge straight.

Jeremy from Boomstick Boards even showed us this great little tip where he actually cuts the corners of his veneer sheet on an angle before pressing.

 

Sealing Tape Tips

The vast majority of leaks that occur when using the Thin Air Press vacuum bag come from the sealing tape on the one open end of the bag. It is important to make sure that the sealing tape itself is free of dirt, glue and debris, and has not been compromised in any way. When you are pressing down the tape to seal the bag, look for any grey areas that indicate the sealing tape is not fully pressed down. You want a nice, uniform black colour running across the whole length of the bag, especially in the corners!

It is always a good idea to use the paper backing strip that comes with the sealing tape anytime you are putting a project in or out of a bag. That being said, it is possible to keep using the tape over and over, even with some imperfections. A little dirt isn't the end of the world, but may be a cause of a small leak in the bag. You can always replace the sealing tape if it is causing an issue.

We recommend putting the paper backing strip inside the bag when you are pressing your project as a way to not lose it.  

All of our TAP Kits come with extra sealing tape rolls to replace the original one on that comes installed on the bag. If you have used all three of the sealing tape lengths from your original kit, we do sell replacement rolls online. They can be accessed here.