Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/13/2008

Question
i have an old sewing machine cabinet and the top of it has a nicely grained wood vaneer i think. it's like a thin layer of wood that is glued to the top of the lid. what do you call this stuff and where can i get it? the lid i have has the corners chipped and i want to fix it. do i have to heat the vaneer up with an iron and a scraper?   thank you,  bill

Answer
Hi Bill
Nice to hear from you.
Yes you are correct. This thin layer of wood is called "veneer".
You can pick up veneer at most places that sell woods of various kinds. Lumber stores, Home Depot etc.
Take a piece of the old veneer with you so you can match the wood.
Craft stores also sell it, and its widely available on line.
Not hard to get at all.
The best way to remove the old veneer is with a hot iron and a scraper.
Contact cement is used to apply new veneer and there are many places on line that explain the process for new wood workers.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen