How to Refinish a Wood Veneer Tabletop

Worn finishes can take away from the beauty of wood furniture. The thought of refinishing a worn piece can be enough to send many people shopping for a replacement. Refinishing techniques are not difficult to learn, and wood veneers are no exception. Many of the same techniques used for hardwoods can be applied to veneers. Due to the fragile nature of veneer, gentle sanding and the correct chemicals are necessary to maintain the integrity of your veneer. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Apply a coat of gel type stripper to the veneer tabletop with a clean, dry paintbrush. Gel strippers work on the surface while penetrating strippers can soften the veneer adhesives. Apply the stripper evenly across the surface of the tabletop. Allow the label recommended time for the stripper to work.

2

Scrape the stripper and old finish from the tabletop with a nylon scraper. Use ultra-fine steel wool to work the stripper into any details on the table top. Rinse any remaining stripper and finish from the tabletop with a rag dampened in mineral spirits and allow it to dry thoroughly.

3

Fill any chips or deep scratches in the veneer with an appropriate color of solvent-based filler. These fillers dry harder and take stain better than water-based products. Allow the filler to dry.

4

Sand the veneer of the top lightly with 180 grit sand paper. Use a random orbital sander for best results. Work with the grain of the veneer, and do not allow the sander to stand in one place for too long. Typical veneers are 1/16 inch thick and rough sanding can cause friction burns.

5

Rub the table top down with a tack cloth to remove the dust from the sanding.

6

Apply a coat of stain in your choice of color according to the label directions. Use a fine bristle paint brush that is clean and dry to apply the stain. Work in long straight strokes and work to prevent runs or drips. Apply the stain as evenly as possible and allow it to dry.

7

Sand the tabletop lightly to smooth any grain that was raised in the staining process with 200 grit or finer sand paper. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to remove the dust from sanding.

8

Apply at least two coats of clear furniture finish with a clean, dry soft bristle brush. Work in the direction of the veneer grain. Keep the brush well loaded. Spread the finish evenly and avoid over-brushing in areas where the finish has already been applied. Rub the finish between coats with 0000-steel wool to promote adhesion and remove any small bubbles. Follow this with a pass of a tack cloth to remove any dust. Allow the finish to dry completely before returning the table to normal use.