General Overview
Antiques are very special and need proper care and treatment from time to time in order to make them run long. The veneer on antique/ vintage furniture is most likely to get damaged and proper steps should be taken to restore or fix the Veneer on antiques.
What Is The Way To Refinish Veneer Furniture
A veneer is actually the thin decorative layer of the wood found on the various furniture pieces. With time the veneer may get damaged and may require refinishing. Like other wood furniture, the veneer can also be fixed and restored. There are a number of ways or steps To Refinish Veneer Furniture and some are given below:
Chemical Stripper: The chemical stripper should be used to remove the old finish. The stripper should be kept for some time on furniture in order to achieve the desired results.
Scrapping: Scrapping should be done using the putty knife smoothly. Alternatively, scrubbing can also be done using steel wool in the areas that are not easy to reach.
Wiping: Once scrapping is over wipe the furniture thoroughly with a wet cloth to remove the remaining stripper and other dirt.
Sand: Use 120-grit sandpaper to sand the surface evenly but avoid doing it in excess. Wipeout the wood using tack cloth and start the sanding process again smoothly with 220-grit sandpaper and repeat the wipe process again.
Sanding Sealer: Application of the heavy sanding sealer is recommended to finish the antique veneer furniture and let it dry for the timeframe prescribed by the furniture. Meanwhile, remove the excess sealer with the cloth.
Staining: Antique Veneer furniture needs to be stained properly and let the furniture piece to absorb it. Let the stain dry completely and clean the excess stain with a clean cloth.
Polyurethane: Finish the furniture with polyurethane in several coats in between every coat carry on with sanding process smoothly 220-grit sandpaper.
Fix/ Restore
Here are a few steps to fix or restore the antique Veneer furniture in an easy way:
Remove: The old veneer needs to be removed carefully using lukewarm water.
Sanding: Sand the surface evenly to make it flat in order to apply new veneer as uneven surfaces may lead to the problem.
Veneer Cutting: Cut the veneer according to the requirements in terms of thickness.
Edge Glue Veneer: Edge glue properly the veneer board by light clamping pressure.
Flatten: It is important to check all irregularities and flattened the sheet properly as any flaw can lead to the development of the glue pockets beneath the veneer sheet.
Trim: Trimming is required to make it perfect in size.
Glue: Properly apply the good amount of the hot hide glue on the antique furniture surface where veneer needs to be applied. Put the veneer on the surface and press it using J-roller.
Iron: Use hot iron over the veneer to make glue melt and repeat pressing again with J-roller.