How to Finish Veneer Dresser Furniture

dresser drawer

Veneer is a great way to finish an antique dresser. Veneer will preserve an antique or a new dresser for years, and protects the wood surface. Dressers can be pieces of furniture in the bedroom, living room or dining room. Most veneer dresser furniture is made from wood. Veneer sheets are made from laminated types of wood, and fit over the surface of a wood dresser. A finished dresser will add to the decor of a home, and makes a good surface to display plates, figurines or any type of small decorative item.

Things You'll Need

• Tarp
• Protective mask
• Gloves
• Lacquer spray
• Putty knife
• Veneer
• Tape measure
• Electric sander
• Paintbrush
• Bonding glue
• Rolling brush
• Clamps
• 10-pound weights
• Dolly
• Polyurethane

Instructions

1. Examine the top and edges of a veneer dresser. Look for lifted spots within the veneer. With wood glue, secure the lifted spots in place. Check to see if there is major damage. If so, remove the entire surface of veneer. Put a protective tarp around the floor, in case of spills. Put on a chemical fume mask and protective gloves.

2. Take lacquer-thinning spray. In a well-ventilated area, spray the underside of the veneer to lift it. Do not let the spray dry. Lift with a putty knife and remove sections of veneer as you spray.

3. Measure the dresser and get an exact-sized piece of new veneer. Sand the table surface with an electric sander, wipe away the dust with a paintbrush and apply a generous coating of veneer bonding glue to the entire top dresser surface with a rolling brush. Place the new veneer on top and fit it securely into place.

4. Apply clamps on all four corners of the dresser. If there is no outward edge for the clamps to attach to, then apply 10-pound weights on all four corners, and in the middle. This will ensure that the veneer will not lift during the drying process. Wait six to 10 hours for the glue to dry, or check the drying time on the glue bottle.

5. Take the veneer dresser outside to refinish if there is not adequate ventilation inside. Remove the drawers to reduce the weight of the dresser, and place the drawers out of the way. Pick up one end of the dresser, and have an assistant lift the other side and place the dresser on a dolly. Push the dresser outside and, with the top side up, onto a flat area away from flammables, such as a gas grill or a propane tank. If the dresser is not transportable, open all the windows inside, making sure the area is well ventilated.

6. Apply a coat of polyurethane sealant to the top of the new veneer. This adds extra protection. Polyurethane sealant also adds to the shine of a veneered dresser.

References

• bobvila.com