: You can use 15 min epoxy. Clean the deck good with a fine sanding. Spread the
: mixed epoxy on the back of the decorative veneer. In a short time the
: epoxy will be very sticky. Press into position and burnish or roll it down
: with a piece of waxed paper over it.

This morning I visited the West System website and posed the question regarding the relationship between epoxy and other glues such as contact cement. About 4 hours later I received a phone call from Gougeon Bros. in Michigan to discuss my situation.

Although we discussed a number of scenarios here is a brief summary:
Except for exceptional circumstances such as end grains of very porous wood epoxy usually is only absorbed 2-3 cells in depth. So use of contact glue or heat sensitive glue is not an issue unless the veneer is paper thin. Almost any glue could be used just make shure that none squeezes onto the surface of the veneer. If it does clean it off before the exterior epoxy is added or it may appear as a stain. One could use 5 minute epoxy or thickened epoxy to glue the veneer down.

Clamping pressure does not need to be significant if using epoxy. At the end of the day one of the most important points is to ensure that the veneer is glued flat. If not, then trying to use layers of epoxy to smooth the surface is a big job. Special precautions may be required if the deck panel is tortured as it is applied to the shear.

A big word of thanks to the people at West System for such a prompt and personal response. Unfortunately they caught me on my cell phone so I will be seeing a phone call from Michigan on my next bill. But it was worth the advice.

grant