You probably already know that you can restain wood, but what if you have furniture made out of wood veneer that’s old and chipped? Although veneer can become damaged more easily than wood, the good news is that most veneer is thick enough and can be restained if it peels, warps, or cracks.
Before you start restaining, take a look at the veneer to see if any of the edges have lifted. If so, take some carpenter’s glue and secure it to the furniture. For any parts that are missing sections, try to find a matching section and glue it on. You can also apply wood filler, let it dry, and sand smooth.
Apply a furniture stripper to remove the finish. After letting it sit, use a scraper to remove the finish. Work in the direction of the grain. If the finish is very thick, you might need to add another coat of stripper. Use 150-grit sandpaper and sand out any scratches. Again, work in the direction of the grain. You want to sand as little as possible.
The process of applying the stain is the same as for any other type of wood. Using a rag, apply the oil-based stain in the direction of the grain. Read the manufacturer’s directions, but you should only leave the stain on for a few minutes. Use another rag to remove the stain. If you used wood filler, use gel stain to match the color to the rest of the veneer. You might need to apply a few coats since wood filler likes to absorb the stain.
Once you restain the veneer, you want to protect it. Dampen a clean towel with an oil- or water-based polyurethane and aim for a smooth, even coat. Apply at least two coats, letting each one dry before moving onto the next coat.
Don’t let the fear of restaining a piece of furniture covered in wood veneer deter you from tackling this project. Head to your local home improvement store to pick up the necessary tools, and you can get started today.
Sources: Homeguides.sfgate.com, Thriftednest.com
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