Can I use a waterbased stain and/or topcoat with Heat Lock?
If the bond is strong between the substrate and veneer. A waterbased finish should be no problem. Once the Heat Lock glue is dry, water will not affect the bond strength. However, if the bond is not adequate (caused by lack of glue or heat), a waterbased finish can cause bubbling since wood cells expand with water. If you must use a waterbased finish, allow the panel to cool down from the ironing process and then spritz the entire project with water. If the bond is poor, the water will cause any loose or poorly adhered areas to bubble up. You can reheat the panel (within 24 hours of application) and get the glue to re-stick and the bubbles to disappear.
