Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Refinishing a Veneer

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Expert: - 6/4/2009


Question
To start, thank you for you time in answering this question. Now, I have a 30-35
year old chess board with the squares made of veneer 1/32 of an inch thick. I
would like to re-finish the veneers with an oil finish but must take off the varnish
first. How would I go about taking off the varnish without destroying the
veneer and do you have any suggestions on how to apply the oil finish?

Answer
Hi Richard, a good stripper won't hurt the veneer, if you're gentle with it. It's really the only way to remove the varnish thoroughly, and you'll need to do that before refinishing with an oil. The only drawback to an oil finish on a veneer this thin, is that these are penetrating finishes, and they can't penetrate on a 1/32" veneer. The oil will build though, like a varnish, depending on how many coats you apply.There's no magic application method, sometimes it's a good idea to wet sand the oil into the wood with 600 grit silicone carbide sandpaper, but obviously you don't want to do that on a thin veneer. I like using a small pad of cloth diaper, a few layers thick to apply these types of finishes.. I would suggest a Tung oil varnish blend like WaterLox. Easy to use, tougher than oil finishes alone, and really "pops" the grain. Hope that helps a bit- post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.waterlox.com/desktopmodules/fathomecom/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?ct=...

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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