You stain and finish wood veneers exactly the same way that you stain and finish real wood. You will usually stain or finish your wood veneer after it is glued down, but you can apply your stain or finish before gluing if you choose.
NOTE: Because wood veneer is actually real wood (and often has a beautiful wood grain), you CAN stain and varnish it! However, be careful if you're using an electric or belt sander, because often the veneer is so thin that aggressive sanding will wear though the veneer quickly.
You can apply a stain to your wood veneer if you want to, but you don't have to. If you want to change the color or hue of the wood, staining will be necessary. Some stains are available as a finish and a stain all in one.
Using a clear wax such as Fiddes Supreme Wax Polish will keep Oak veneered doors looking natural but offer less protection than oils and varnishes against scratches and scuffs. For durability, varnishes offer the best protection.
Disadvantages: Wood veneers are attached to fiberboard, which are not as heavy as natural wood boards; if wood veneers are not coated with a surface polish, this makes it easy for liquids to be absorbed through the wood. And unlike solid wood, once damaged, wood veneers can be difficult or costly to repair.
Before deciding on whether to opt for veneer or solid oak furniture, do remember to keep in mind that solid oak often ends up being far more energy-efficient than veneer. This is because solid oak is far less vulnerable to the cold and even to moisture, as compared to veneer.
It's a myth that oak veneers are bad,
This is an old way of thinking. Manufacturing methods have improved greatly over the last 10 years and the quality of our oak veneers is very impressive.
Finishing Wood Veneers With Water Based Polyurethane Varnish
Water Based Polyurethane varnish is a good choice for finishing wood veneers. It dries quickly and it gives a lasting, durable, finish that resists stains, abrasion, water marks and some chemicals.
Sanding veneer is a delicate process as even a slight mistake can ruin the entire look of the furniture. It is recommended that you start sanding gently by hand or using a palm sander. Make sure that you do not sand across the grain as it can ruin the veneer's aesthetics requiring complete resurfacing.
Choosing Between Veneer and Laminate
Some thin veneers will curl away from their core while good laminates stay firmly in place for years. There is a range of design, material quality, and craftsmanship within each of the material types.
You will have to work a little hard to apply polyurethane to your veneer, as it usually requires at least 3 coats to seal the wood. If you use a microfibre paint roller and wet sand between coats you should avoid seeing any of the streaky ridges that can appear if the finish is not applied correctly.
Painting Veneer Doors
Although veneer doors differ as they require extra care compared to regular oak doors. With veneer oak, you should avoid coating paint on in thick layers. Instead, you should apply a few thin coats to the door and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat of paint.
Most mill sawn veneer and backed veneer will not need sanding. Mill sawn veneer is very thin, 1/42 inch (0.60 mm) and will not stand up to heavy sanding. Sand carefully if necessary, starting with a 180 grit sandpaper and being sure to follow the direction of the wood grain.
Veneers do not stain as easily as your natural tooth enamel; however, they can still become discolored over time. Surface stains can develop after prolonged exposure to highly pigmented drinks such as red wine and dark coffee. Other occurrences that can lead to discolored veneers are: Your Age.
Natural White.
In my opinion, natural white is appropriate for 9 out of 10 people. We can place six to 10 veneers on the top teeth, depending on the patient's desired outcome and the width of their smile, and then match the veneers' color to the bottom teeth.
Conclusion: Chemical stripping is your better option for a veneered piece. If you have sanded veneer and feel comfortable doing, it can certainly be done, just be patient, start at 100 or 120 rather than a 60 or 80 grit. Don't press hard with the sander, let it do the work. Check your paper for finish build up.
Traditional staining requires a porous wood surface so the stain can absorb into the finish. Since laminate furniture has a gloss finish, you can't technically stain it. But the good news is that you can paint over it with a faux stain that will be much more predictable and user-friendly than a traditional stain.
Internal Oak doors are made from a natural product and therefore must be treated with gentle stains and oils. Water based stains are the best kind for internal oak doors. Make sure that it is a good quality stain from a reputable brand like Osmo.
While veneers are often made out of stain-resistant materials, they can be susceptible to staining over time, especially if they are made from composites. Research shows that porcelain veneers do not get discolored or stained easily, but those made from composite resins do.
Disadvantages to Wood Veneers
Wood veneers are not as heavy as natural wood, which can be off putting to some buyers. Additionally, since wood veneers are not coated with surface polish, it's easier for liquids to be absorbed into the wood layer and cause damage.
It's Easy to Damage. Because it's made from natural wood, wood veneer is prone to scratching and gouging, which can quickly make it look weathered and worn. And unlike solid wood, when wood veneer gets damaged it's not easy to repair by sanding away scratches because the top wood layer is thin and easy to cut through.