
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 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.
How to refurbish or refinish a table top?
Steps to Refinish a Table
- Our table had an existing wax finish, so we had to remove it first by using Mohawk's Wax Wash Remover. I simply sprayed it on and wiped it off. ...
- Next, I spot sanded the tiny splotches of fingernail polish off the table. ...
- Then I touched up the scratches and worn edges with the Mohawk Ultra Touch-Up Marker. ...
- The next step was my FAVORITE! ...

How do you fix water damage on a veneer table top?
4:416:58Fixing Water Bubbled Damaged Veneer Vaneer on Wood FurnitureYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's a crack you can get glue get the thing pop it underneath there and squirt glue in there andMoreThere's a crack you can get glue get the thing pop it underneath there and squirt glue in there and then put the weight on it and it will take and wet and moisten that veneer.
How do you fix a swollen veneer table top?
Place a soft, clean cloth on the affected wood and iron it. Be careful not to burn yourself, the cloth, or scorch the wood by not pressing the iron down for too long. Another way to remove water bubbles is using a needle, wood glue, and wax paper to pierce bubbles and flatten the wood.
Can you restore a veneer table?
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. Set up your tabletop refinishing project in an area with good ventilation, as the compounds used in the process may contain harmful vapors.
How do you fix a water damaged laminate table?
If the glue just won't come off, squeeze hot water from a sponge under the loose piece of veneer. The water will eventually melt the glue so you can then remove it using the knife. Wipe off any excess moisture. Re-attach the veneer by adding fresh white (wood) glue, then put a piece of plastic over the repaired area.
Can you Unswell wood?
Wood naturally absorbs water unless it has been sealed with a waterproof sealant. Moisture (humidity) in the air gets into the wood and causes it to shrink, swell, and bubble up. These bubbles, fortunately, may be removed.
How do you flatten a veneer?
0:347:59How to Flatten Veneer - SE Woodwork - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat aren't badly wrinkled you can actually get away with spraying it with water. And clamping itMoreThat aren't badly wrinkled you can actually get away with spraying it with water. And clamping it flat that way and it should be flat in the morning.
How can you tell if a table is veneer or laminate?
0:544:46How to tell the difference between laminate and veneer ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first and foremost the wood grain it's a pattern. So that's usually a good sign that it is aMoreSo first and foremost the wood grain it's a pattern. So that's usually a good sign that it is a laminate.
Can you use wood filler on 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!
What is difference between veneer and laminate?
The main difference is that veneers comprise thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base while laminates are manufactured by pressing together layers of flat paper and plastic resins under high pressure.
Can you fix water-damaged veneer?
To repair a veneer blister, carefully slit it open with a razor knife. Then use a glue syringe or a toothpick to apply yellow carpenter's glue beneath the veneer. Press down lightly on the blister to spread the glue. Cover the repair with wax paper and a flat wood block, then clamp the blister flat.
How do you get water stains out of wood veneer?
You simply cover the offending spots with mayonnaise and let it stay overnight. When you rub it off in the morning, the oil should have seeped through the finish, and the water rings and spots should be gone. Rubbing water spots with a mild abrasive, such as toothpaste or cigarette ash, can also be effective.
How do you refinish a water-damaged table?
Try Baking Soda Toothpaste A simple toothpaste made with baking soda also removes some water marks from a coffee table. Gel toothpastes don't work, as they don't have baking soda's abrasive powder. Put a small dab of the toothpaste on a lint-free, white cloth and buff the water stains with it.
What causes veneer to bubble?
Although veneer is usually durable, placing warm or damp objects on the veneer can cause the glue bond to fail. When the glue bond fails, bubbles can form on the surface of the wood veneer.
Can you fix swollen particle board?
Remove the Laminate and Sand Sand down the swelled particleboard, using a pad sander and 100-grit sandpaper. Apply contact cement to the flattened particleboard and the back of the laminate and let it set for five to 10 minutes. Press the laminate into place and clamp it down with C-clamps. Leave it clamped overnight.
How do you fix a swollen laminate countertop?
When you've exposed the swollen part of the substrate, sand it flat and stabilize it (lock all those loose fibers together) with a thick coating of cyanoacrylate glue. Sand a little more, and check the flatness. Bear in mind that it's not a wedding cake or even a brand-new countertop; it doesn't have to be perfect.
How do you fix a lifted veneer?
Use a thin piece of stiff material, such as this laminate edging, to scoop some glue. Push it under the veneer as far as you can and move it around. Apply glue as many times as needed to get a good thin coat under the wood. Wipe away any glue that oozes out with a damp cloth.
How to fix broken table top?
Clean the bonding surfaces first before applying glue. Make sure that the broken pieces are carefully fitted together so the items match perfectly. Put contact cement on both surfaces; an alternative is to use carpenter’s glue on the base wood. Press the broken edges together, then clamp down the reglued area. It may be necessary to refinish the surface of the table top by using a varnish when the mend is completed.
How to patch a chipped veneer?
In fitting a patch to a missing or chipped veneer, set a piece of paper over the damaged area. Mark the edges of the damaged area where the replacement veneer will be put into. Place the patch against the surface, and secure the bond with a contact cement or glue.
How to reglue a veneer?
In regluing the lifted veneer, one can use carpenter’s glue or contact cement; however, carpenter’s glue is more ideal since it can allow repositioning. Apply the contact cement or carpenter’s glue on the surfaces; spread the glue along the grain using a small brush. Smooth the lifted veneer carefully into its place. When using contact cement, be sure to match the veneer exactly in its place.
What is oak veneer?
Oak veneer is a thin wooden layer attached by glue to a solid base of furniture; it is vulnerable to damage when there is high humidity or excessive dryness. Water, humidity or high heat can soften the glue and result in damage such as peeling, cracking, and blistering.
Can you re-glue a cracked veneer?
Lifted or cracked veneer may be reglued as long as it is not completely broken. It is easier to repair large areas if the veneer is broken off along the cracks. The edges of the break should not be damaged when regluing the broken veneer.
Can you lift veneer?
Lifted veneer is also common among table tops and particularly occurs in the corner. It can be reglued if it remains undamaged. To do this, remove the residue of the glue using the craft knife. Never lift the veneer further since it can be easily damaged. Then clean the surfaces with benzene compound to completely remove residue. Finish the task by sanding the surfaces and wiping with a soft cloth.
How to remove white spots from veneer?
You would want to start with buffing the veneer surface with liquid furniture polish which usually removes the white spots on its own. However, if that does not happen, then it is a safe choice to use a clean rag dipped in denatured alcohol to remove the stains.
How to scratch white furniture?
All you have to do is start with a steel wool to scratch down the white part of the furniture from the top. Once done, make sure that everything is wiped down by a rag after which it is necessary to put over a couple of layers of wax to smooth out the surface as much as it can be.
How Does It Get Damaged?
Water, like it is for many other things, is not a very good friend of wood veneer. Be it splashes over the surface or trapped water under, the veneer does not react well when in contact with water for a long amount of time. And this brings up a couple of issues such as white spots over the veneer and blushed haze.
What is the thin wood on a table called?
You might have noticed a thin sheet of wood over your wooden furniture, especially on your table top. That sheet is called wood veneer and it is used mainly to give a finished and glossy look to wooden pieces. It’s extreme thinness makes it seem to be merged perfectly with the furniture underneath.
Can water get caught in veneer?
However, at times due to some instances, water can surely get caught somewhere in the veneer and cause damage which would require attention for sorting out as soon as possible.
Can you use alcohol to remove furniture polish?
However, if that does not happen, then it is a safe choice to use a clean rag dipped in denatured alcohol to remove the stains. However, be careful enough to not damage the existing polish over the furniture by it because at times a long exposure of furniture polish with any kind of alcohol leads to problems of its own.
Does wood furniture get damaged?
While wooden furniture surely is something that gives a place an amazingly beautiful look, the fact that more often than not it gets damaged through different things remains true. And one of those things is water.
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 patch a chip in veneer?
To fit a chip or very small patch, set a sheet of bond paper over the damaged veneer. Rub a very soft, dull lead pencil gently over the paper; the edges of the damaged area will be exactly marked on the paper. Use this pattern as a template to cut the veneer patch. Tape the pattern to the patching wood, matching the grain of the new veneer to the grain of the damaged area. Cut the path firmly and carefully with a sharp craft knife; it's better to make it too big than too small.
How to make a patch on veneer?
To make a larger patch, tape the patching veneer firmly over the damaged area with masking tape, with the grain and pattern of the patch matching the grain and pattern of the damaged veneer. Make sure the patch is flat against the surface, and securely held in place.
How to protect veneer from reglued wood?
To protect the surface, cover it with a sheet of wax paper; make sure all excess glue is removed. Set a buffer block of scrap wood over the newly glued area, and use another block or a soft cloth to protect the opposite edge or side of the surface. Clamp the glued and protected surface firmly with C-clamps or hand screws, for one to two days. Then remove the clamps and the buffers, and wax and polish the entire surface.
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 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.
How to sand a table top?
Remove all the tape. Sand the surface of the table by hand with a hand block and 100-grit sandpaper until smooth, sanding parallel to the grain only. Blow air over the table with the air nozzle to remove any chips or debris.
How to remove chips from wood table?
Spray air over the table with an air compressor equipped with an air nozzle to remove any chips, debris or loose fibers that may have worked themselves under the veneer. If some of them are stubborn and wont come out, use the tip of a putty knife to gently scrape them out.
How to get resin glue off of wood?
Mix the powdered resin glue with water per manufacturer's instructions. Dip the tip of a putty knife into the glue. Insert the wet putty knife under any loose pieces of the veneer and allow the glue to scrape off under it. Stretch a piece of masking tape tight over the loose area and press down hard to secure the loose piece.
How long does lacquer fume last?
Lacquer fumes will continue to emanate from the table for a few days after finishing. It's best to leave the table in an area where these fumes will dissipate before using the table. Always wear eye and breathing protection when refinishing wood.
How to make a lacquer table?
Fill a one-quart pressurized spray gun with lacquer. Hold the gun 8 inches from the surface of the table at a 30-degree angle. Spray overlapping bands of lacquer until the table is uniformly wet. Allow the lacquer to dry for 30 minutes.
What type of glue is used to stain a table?
This type of glue dries hard and is colored to look like wood. Use maple-colored glue for a natural look, or walnut glue if you want to stain the table.
How to make a table with resin glue?
Dip the putty knife into an open can of wood dough. Fill all the fine cracks, small holes or any other small pits or defects that you may have missed with the resin glue. Sand the table again lightly with the hand block and 100-grit sandpaper. Sand it again parallel with the grain with 180-grit sandpaper on the hand block.
How to get bubbles out of wood veneer?
Apply wood oil directly to the veneer to prevent new bubbles from forming. Rub the wood oil into the veneer with a cloth until the table is completely restored to its original condition.
How to cover a split veneer?
Cover the wood bubble with two layers of masking tape , if the wood bubble remains. If the veneer has already split, place two layers of masking tape along both edges of the split.
How to stop glue from sticking to wood?
Remove the masking tape from the veneer. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the split to prevent the glue from oozing out and sticking to the flat wood blocks you are about to place over the plastic wrap.
How to make bubbles in wood?
Step 1. Lay a sheet of white parchment paper over the wood bubble. Iron the parchment paper with a warm clothes iron for 10 seconds.
How to get glue out of a veneer?
Press down on the veneer, to spread the glue underneath the bubble. Wipe away the excess glue from the veneer using a cloth dampened with water.
Why does wood bubble?
Leaving warm or damp objects on wood can cause wood bubbles.
