
How to Repair Water Damaged Oak Veneer Table Top
- Reglue the Veneer Lifted or cracked veneer may be reglued as long as it is not completely broken. ...
- Replace the Chipped or Missing Veneer While replacing a veneer is easy, the difficult part is in finding a new piece that will match the existing veneer. ...
- Replace the Lifted Veneer
How do you refinish a veneer table top?
Stain the Table
- Spread out a drop cloth and set the tabletop and legs on the cloth.
- Open and mix a can of oil- or water-based wood stain if you plan to stain the table. ...
- Put on chemical-resistant gloves and dip a rag into the stain.
- Wipe stain onto the tabletop and around the edge, keeping with the direction of the wood grain. ...
Can I refinish a veneer top table?
Veneer is a thin layer of wood glued to a base of less-expensive wood. The process allows expensive or exotic woods to be used on reasonably-priced furniture. You can refinish veneer almost the same as you would refinish a piece of solid wood, as long as you take precautions to avoid damaging the thin veneer.
How to refinish a veneer table top?
How to refinish veneer furniture Wipe down the piece with a damp rag. Remove all hardware, handles, drawers, doors and legs. Starting with 100 grit sandpaper, sand the entire piece lightly to remove stain and finish – legs, drawers, sides and around trim. After the initial sanding, vacuum with a soft brush.
How to repair water damaged oak veneer table top?
- Place a clean dry cloth over the surface of the stain. Turn on the iron to a low setting.
- Apply paste wax to the stain. Rub it with steel wool, moving in the direction of the wood grain.
- Drip three to five drops of oil onto the surface of the wood. Sprinkle pumice powder atop the oil.

Can you repair veneer table top?
Veneer is thin hardwood laminated to the surface of a table. The only way to repair it is to reverse the process by adding more glue with similar properties as the original glue. Lamination often is done with resin glue.
Can you repair damaged veneer?
In most cases, as long as the veneer layer is basically in good shape, the thinness that makes it damage-prone also makes it easy to repair. Undamaged veneer can be reglued; chips and bare spots can be filled with matching veneer. If you're careful to match the grain the repairs will hardly show.
How do you fix a messed up veneer?
0:212:36Repairing Veneer with Wood Filler | BEST WAY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor best results scuff sand the area you're working with to help the bondo adhere. Better then grabMoreFor best results scuff sand the area you're working with to help the bondo adhere. Better then grab something to mix the bundle. On i typically use a piece of cardboard or a piece of scrap wood.
How do you resurface a veneer table top?
How to refinish veneer furnitureWipe down the piece with a damp rag. ... Remove all hardware, handles, drawers, doors and legs. ... Starting with 100 grit sandpaper, sand the entire piece lightly to remove stain and finish – legs, drawers, sides and around trim. ... After the initial sanding, vacuum with a soft brush.More items...•
How do you fix peeling veneer on furniture?
0:422:02How to Fix Peeling Veneer on Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor a piece of furniture that will be painted this is a very easy problem to solve we can patch theMoreFor a piece of furniture that will be painted this is a very easy problem to solve we can patch the missing veneer with bondo all-purpose putty.
How do you touch up veneer furniture?
0:583:48How to Repair Veneer Furniture Using a Wood Veneer Patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey show up less it makes the veneer patch blend in better. And it gives you a little bit lessMoreThey show up less it makes the veneer patch blend in better. And it gives you a little bit less touch-up and stuff to have to do so that's why I cut the angles that I cut.
Can you use wood filler to repair veneer?
Bondo Wood Filler is a two-part wood filler that dries very hard very quickly. So it's perfect for large repairs and also chipped veneer repairs.
Can you put new veneer over old veneer?
Is there already veneer on the surface you're looking to add your new wood veneer to? It's not always necessary to remove the old wood veneer before moving forward, but it should be intact, not bubbled or cracked, and firmly attached, if you are even considering veneering over it.
Can you use wood filler on wood veneer?
You can easily fix your furniture with damaged or chipped veneer, yes YOU can! Here's how easy repairing veneer with wood filler can be! Get more tutorials on repairing old furniture here!
Can you strip and Restain veneer?
If you are asking yourself “Can you stain wood veneer?” The answer is yes! Staining veneer furniture is a great alternative to paining veneer, and allows you to restore the beautiful wood.
Can you sand and refinish veneer?
Veneered furniture can be refinished like other wood furniture, as long as the veneer is not too thin, and you take care not to remove too much of the veneer when removing the old finish.
How do you rejuvenate wood veneer?
Restoring a wood veneer tabletop's shine is accomplished without the need for expensive cleaners.Pour 1/4 cup white vinegar and 3 cups warm water into a plastic spray bottle. ... Spray the mixture directly onto the veneer tabletop. ... Allow the veneer tabletop to dry before spraying it with a light coating of glass cleaner.More items...
How to fix a veneer that is lifting?
To fix a veneer that’s lifting, first access the damage. Localized damage can be easily fixed with glue and flattened. But if there is damage to a large area, the veneer may have to be removed and replaced with a new veneer patch or wood filler. There are several ways to repair veneers on woodwork, depending on the damage.
How to clamp veneer down?
Use a C-clamp to clamp the veneer down between flat pieces of wood. Use an additional clamp every 6 inches on the wood to firmly hold down the veneer. Leave the clamps for a day or two. Remove the clamps and rub off the excess dried glue from the edges using a damp shop cloth.
How to remove glue from veneer?
Blow the dust away and wipe the bonding surfaces with a soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits. Re-glue the loose veneer using contact cement or carpenters glue.
How to use carpenter's glue on wood?
When using carpenter’s glue, use a small brush or a palette knife to spread a thin layer over the base wood. Press the loose veneer down and smooth it carefully into place, starting from the center towards the edges. W ipe off the excess glue from the edges immediately using a cloth dipped in warm water.
How to get glue off of a clamp?
Wipe off the excess glue from the edges immediately using a cloth dipped in warm water. Cover the entire glued area with a sheet of wax paper with the shiny side facing down. At least one inch of the wax paper should extend past the glued section to prevent the excess glue that oozes out from sticking to the clamps.
What is a blister on a veneer?
Blisters are bubbled areas on the veneer created when something hot is set on the furniture with a veneer finish. Small blisters can be flattened with heat, while larger ones have to be cut and re-glued to the base wood.
How thick is veneer?
Veneers are thin and delicate. Most have thicknesses that range between 1/28th and 1/42nd of an inch. Before you start repairing any damage, you must take precautions not to cause further damage. The first step is to make the veneer pliable so that it does not split or crack.
How to keep veneer from curling up?
Keeping it moist prevents the veneer from curling up as it absorbs moisture from the hide glue. Iron out problems. Use a hot iron to melt the glue if it sets too fast. Heat the area then roll again with the J-roller. If you get a bubble trapped under the veneer, slit the bubble with a razor and apply heat. Then roll.
How to edge glue veneer?
It’s easy to edge glue veneer this thick. Make sure the seams are flush and use gentle clamping pressure. A slightly narrower support board and a few handplane weights keep the veneer from buckling under clamp pressure. Wax paper protects the planes and prevents the veneer from sticking to the support board.
How to avoid glue pockets under veneer?
It’s important that the sheet be perfectly flat to avoid glue pockets under the veneer. Trim the veneer slightly over size. A veneer saw and a straight edge work great for this. The teeth on a veneer saw are set to one side only so the saw can run tight against a straight edge. Get gluing.
Can you use hide glue on antiques?
This is usually a simple job on antiques because the glue is almost always hide glue. Hide glue was the glue of choice back then and one of its salient features is reversibility. A little hot water will re-liquify the glue for easy removal.
Do you need clamps for veneering?
The beauty of hide glue is it’s reversible and when it comes to veneering, there’s no need to use clamps. If you’ve ever applied plastic laminate to a substrate using contact cement you are already familiar with the basic technique. In this story I’ll walk you through how to veneer the old fashioned way.
How to fix broken veneer?
Fit the broken edges carefully together to make sure they match perfectly. Then apply contact cement to both surfaces, or spread carpenters' glue on the base wood. Set the broken veneer carefully into place, matching the edges exactly, and press firmly to knit the broken edges together. Clamp the mended area.
How to keep veneer from touching?
If necessary, set a small tack or two between the layers to keep them from touching. If you'd prefer to use carpenters' glue, use a small brush to spread it along the grain. Then, starting at the solidly attached veneer and working out toward the loose edge, smooth the loose veneer carefully into place.
Why is veneer so hard to damage?
Because veneer is only a thin layer of wood attached with glue to a solid base, it is very vulnerable to damage on wooden furniture. On old furniture, the glue that holds the veneer is often not water-resistant. Prolonged humidity or exposure to water can soften the glue, letting the veneer blister, crack, or peel.
How to flatten blisters in veneer?
To protect the surface, set a sheet of wax paper and then a sheet of smooth cardboard on the surface, and cover the cardboard with a clean cloth. Press the blistered area firmly with a medium-hot iron.
How long to polish cardboard blisters?
Leaving the cardboard in place, weight the repair area solidly for 24 hours. Then wax and polish the surface.
Can veneer be damaged?
Veneer is also easily damaged from the surface, and old veneers are often cracked, buckled, or broken, with chips or entire pieces missing. In this article, we'll discuss basic techniques to repair veneer on your wooden furniture for any at-home furniture refinishing or restoration project. In most cases, as long as the veneer layer is basically in ...
Can you fill in a hole in a wood table with veneer?
If only a small piece is missing, you may be able to fill in the hole with veneer edging tape, sold at many home centers and lumberyards. Or, if you have access to junk furniture, you may be able to salvage a similar veneer from another piece of furniture.
2. Run a Steam Iron Over the Area
Set a steam iron to mild heat and gently run it across the cloth in the direction of the grain for one or two passes.
3. Look for Evidence of Damage
Check the condition of the damaged area to see if it is still there. Repeat as needed until there is no further white or cloudy area.
1. Buff With Steel Wool and Linseed Oil
Apply a small amount of linseed oil to the area of heat damage and buff it with 0000 steel wool.
2. Go Over the Area With a Damp Cloth
Wipe with a slightly damp cloth and dry the area occasionally to check progress. Stop as soon as the damage is no longer visible.
3. Apply Furniture Paste Wax and Buff the Area
Rub a small amount of furniture paste wax onto the area and allow to dry according to the product directions, before buffing it off with a clean, soft, dry rag. You may need to rewax the entire table at this point to get uniform results.
1. Create a Paste Made of Oil and Ashes
Dip a soft rag in a paste of vegetable oil or mayonnaise mixed with very fine ashes, instructs TLC How Stuff Works. Many old remedies specify cigarette ashes, but any fine ash from burnt paper or leaves will work, as will baking soda or nongel toothpaste – all serve as mild abrasives.
2. Apply the Paste and Then Wipe the Area Clean
Rub the heat-damaged surface with the rag until the white area disappears, then wipe clean with a slightly dampened cloth and let it dry.
How to repair chipped veneer?
Scuff sand the damaged wood and right around the damaged area for the best results. Mix up a small batch of Bondo Wood Filler and spread it over the chipped veneer. Let the Bondo Wood Filler dry and then sand it down. If the veneer has a lot of wood grain in it, add some wood grain lines to your Bondo. Use gel stain to stain the Bondo Wood Filler. ...
How to get a stain off of wood?
Put on your latex or vinyl gloves or else your fingers will get stained! Dip a lint-free rag into the gel stain. Wipe the gel stain onto the wood filler and the surrounding areas. Let the gel stain sit for about 30 seconds to start drying and then wipe the excess away with a clean lint free rag.
What is the best way to stain wood?
The Best Way to Stain Wood Filler – Gel Stain! It’s super important to use Gel stain instead of regular wood stain! Gel stain is thicker and formulated to sit on top of existing surfaces. Wood Stain is made to soak into the wood.
How to recreate wood grain?
If your wood veneer has a lot of wood grain in it (like oak wood) then you can recreate the wood grain with a utility knife. Simply put little and long random marks all over in the veneer with a utility knife. Be sure to sand it down a little bit with 220 grit sandpaper to make it nice and smooth again.
Can you use bondo wood filler on a stain?
But when you need to stain the damaged area, it’s best to use the Bondo Wood Filler because it dries a natural wood color. You’ll need to work quickly because it dries so fast.
