Veneer Cabinet Refinishing Question
 

Hi all,
i am about to work on refinishing my oak veneer cabinets and wanted to know if it's better to use paper backed or raw veneer. Has anyone worked on their cabinets and can give me some pointers or tips ?
Thanks a lot - Vic

Vic,

Yes, I've done veneer repair and replacement. I don't like the self adhesive veneer, I can't get it to stick and stay stuck.
I've used the paper backed version with some, but not major, problems and I've use the plain stuff too, with no problems.

I do prefer to repair the existing veneer if possible rather than replacing it. It's a lot of work, but makes for a better match.
Here's a multiple part story about my 9W-7 treadle cabinet I worked over:
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t204377.html }

I had pics of the actual repairs but lost them in a hard drive failure. I used Elmer's Wood Glue Max and worked it under the veneer that was lifting with a plastic credit card and a hack saw file. Then clamped it thoroughly. After it was dried I sanded the large part under the machine base, and the two parts the machine attaches to. Then refinished it. I replaced the veneer on the lid. It didn't come out as good as I wanted. I had air bubbles and had to use an Exacto blade to make cuts then inject thinned out glue with a syringe. Ugh, what a pain. Then the color of the veneer did not match so I had to play with the stains.
Next time if I have all the veneer parts I will take the time to reglue them layer by layer.

Joe

joe,

thanks for the pics, links and tips. this will come in handy. i know it will take a lot of patience and handwork to work on veneer and a pain. but hopefully it will come out better than the before looks. thanks again.

hey, you did good on that veneer project. the cabinet looks way better now.

vic