Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/2/2007

Question
Hi Eileen.  I just purchased two mid century modern cradenzas that are made
from partical board with a wood (I think its walnut) veneer.  I want to strip the
old finish off the cradenzas (including the stain) and re-stain them.  I have never
refinished wood veneer, so I want to get as much information as I can before I
begin.  I would hate to ruin the veneer.  Any information you could give me
would be helpful.  Thank you.  

Answer
Hi Lucas
Nice to hear from you.
This sounds like it could be a fun project, but just a word of advice..for what its worth.
I want you to be 100% certain that its actually wood veneer over the particle board. I still laugh at my attempt to strip modern furniture thinking I had wood veneer. It turned out to be a plastic in a very good imitation of wood grain and the stripper melted it.
And some of the nice turnings that decorated the piece were actually solid plastic. It was garbage after that.
OK..lets assume you have real wood veneer. Veneer is no different to strip than solid wood. Just do not do any sanding after the stripping.
Here are my standard stripping instructions, but please test in a hidden place before proceeding.
Stripping furniture
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.
The stripper I use is my Home Hardware house brand, but I think that you would not have Home Hardware if you are in the states.
I am hoping you could have CIRCA brand paint and varnish remover there.

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
6 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with)
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION
That's all you need to get started…not much is it?
The stripper will be the most expensive item on the list..In Canada it runs around $25.00 a gallon. The stain and finish will only be around $20.00
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND . When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, then 3 coats of low luster tung oil also applied with a rag.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Good Luck
Eileen