Craftsmen have been decorating with veneer for thousands of years. It has been used for exquisite classical furniture and unfortunately at times it was used to cover up shoddy furniture construction. Lately, wood veneering has been on the upswing both as a way to create elegant inlaid patterns and to extend the supply of exotic hardwoods. With modern adhesives and substrates, veneering is a viable alternative to solid wood construction.
Since veneer is such a thin layer, it’s very vulnerable to damage. Prolonged exposure to heat or humidity can soften the glue causing edges to lift, blisters or cracks. If damaged from handling, it can leave broken or missing pieces.
You could leave it alone and call it the distressed look but usually, the same thinness that makes veneer prone to damage also makes repairs easier. Some simple steps will make it look like new. Here are some of the most common veneer issues:
Loose Veneer – If undamaged it can be re-glued. Remove the old glue residue by scraping it with a razor blade or sharp knife. Then sand with fine sandpaper and wipe the area with naptha or a similar product to remove all the residue and sawdust. Wood glue does not adhere well to old glue so use contact cement or hide glue. Clamp it down with a flat board or other object until dry to be sure the veneer doesn’t bubble.
Missing Veneer Pieces – Replacing missing sections of veneer is easy but finding a good match may be difficult. If possible, ‘borrow’ a piece from another part of the furniture that doesn’t show by carefully prying it loose. If needed, apply medium heat with an iron covered with a soft cloth to soften the glue. If ‘borrowing’ isn’t an option you will need to purchase a piece of veneer with similar wood grain and coloring.
If the missing area has ragged edges you will want to clean them up with a razor blade. Next, cover the patch area with a piece of paper and rub gently with a pencil to make a pattern for the patch. Carefully cut a patch from the new veneer and test it to be sure it’s a perfect fit.
Clean and prepare the area and glue in the patch as described for loose veneer above. If using new veneer, you will need to experiment with stains to get the patch color matched as closely as possible with the rest of the piece.
Blisters – Small blisters may be repaired with heat. Cover the area with a smooth piece of cardboard and apply medium heat with an iron. Once it has flattened, clamp or weight the area for 24 hours. A large blister may need to be slit with a razor blade before it is heated.
If you have a treasured or expensive piece, you may want to call in a skilled, experience craftsman, but if you are comfortable with these simple repairs, go ahead and make your furniture look like new.
