Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/16/2008

Question
I inherited an antique buffet.The top is covered with a veneer. Parts of the veneer are splitting and peeling off. What would I to repair? Other parts are dry -is there a way to replenish the wood, or should I leave it alone? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Holly
Nice to hear from you.
Holly you can't leave this alone if you ever hope to have it in your home.
The type of damage you describe is very hard to repair.
It sounds to me like the top is pretty well shot.
This past summer I had a similar sounding sideboard brought in for repairs. The only way I could fix it was by making a new top.
The rest of the veneer had this dry look you mention, and a refinishing solved that problem.
Holly there is no way we can add moisture or replenish wood. The climate the piece lives in determines how much moisture content the wood has.
If you want to keep this piece as a family heirloom, the cost to replace the top will be less than hiring a pro to replace or try to fix the veneer.
Any wood shop can do this for you.
If you can get that far at least, there is no reason you could not refinish the rest of the piece with some instructions.
Holly some folks think there is a big mystery involved in this work..(actually my mechanic makes me feel like that LOL)..but theres not.
Get back to me with your thoughts.
Kindest Regards
Eileen