Undamaged veneer can be reglued; chips and bare spots can be filled with matching veneer. If you're careful to match the grain the repairs will hardly show. Let's get started with the repair techniques by reviewing some common problems, blisters and cracks in veneer.
Homemade Softener - There's an old veneer softener recipe of consisting of 3 parts water, 2 parts yellow glue, 1 part vegetable glycerin (which can be found at most pharmacies), and 1 part denatured alcohol. This combination will soften veneer but it's sticky, messy, and hard to dry.
Wooden veneers cannot be left unfinished as the raw timber will absorb any moisture on the surface, be that water splashes, wipe marks, and even oil from fingertips. This will soak into the top veneer layer, and it will stain. All timber veneers need to be finished with either a lacquer or an oil.
Mineral spirits can help to remove layers of dirt that build up over the years. For grimy wooden furniture, Murphy's Oil Soap is also an option. Always test before you do the surface of a piece. Once the piece is clean, you can use a small amount of mineral oil to shine it up.
Boiled linseed oil and tung oil are two of the most popular types of oil used for veneer wood, although if you are installing them into the kitchen, mineral oil is probably the best option as it more food safe.
Which polish is ideal for veneer surfaces? Melamine polish on veneer gives furniture a matte finish that keeps the natural wooden look of furniture intact. Melamine polish requires less time to dry, leaves a stable thin layer that can withstand heat, and requires minimal upkeep.
Clean veneer and solid wood furniture 6-12 times a year with a mix of water and mild soaps such as Murphy Oil Soap. Dust your furniture regularly between cleanings (about once a week) with a dry dust cloth or a furniture polish that does not contain wax or silicone, such as Endust.
First and foremost, do not use aerosol wood cleaners or polishes. However, it isn't just the aerosol ones that can harm your wood veneers. Check the ingredients and avoid any that contain wax or are oil-based. For general cleaning, you do not need anything fancy.
General Cleaning
Keep the cloth dry if you are dusting or slightly dampen the cloth with mild soap and water for cleaning. Be sure to wipe the veneer dry after using the damp cloth. It's also important to wipe with the wood grain—that is, be sure to work in the same direction as the pattern in the wood.
Use Vinegar
In cleaning your veneer wood floor, you can also use it by pouring it into a spray bottle, mixing it with water, and shaking the bottle vigorously for a proper mix. Since it's abrasive on its own, you have to mix it with water before using it to clean the veneer.
Mist veneer with homebrew solution
My bath is about 6 parts water, 3 parts alcohol, and 1 part glycerin. The solution will soften the veneer and keep it flexible during glue up. A common spray bottle is the right delivery tool. All it takes is a light misting on both sides to soften the veneer just before glue up.
Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe in the direction of the grain. Thoroughly dry the surface with another clean cloth. Stubborn grime: If water alone doesn't clean your wood veneer table, try diluting a mild soap with warm water and applying the mixture with a microfiber cloth.
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.
If you remove the water as quickly as possible and stop it from penetrating too far into the wood, you should be able to restore it. As with any project, the first thing to do is to clean the veneer. Use gloves for this part as it will involve use of cleaning products.
Is there already veneer on the surface you're looking to add your new wood veneer to? It's not always necessary to remove the old wood veneer before moving forward, but it should be intact, not bubbled or cracked, and firmly attached, if you are even considering veneering over it.
Linseed oil is a traditional choice for nourishing and protecting wood. It comes in many forms and is obtained from the seed of the linseed-flax plant. Given its ease of use and cheap price, it is one of the most popular finishing oils in the world.
Make sure that it is a good quality stain from a reputable brand like Osmo. If you would prefer to treat your door using an oil, we would recommend either Osmo Door Oil 3060 or Osmo Door Oil 3033. We have carried out independent testing for these products and have seen no adverse effects.
Cleaning Wood Veneer Furniture
It's also susceptible to hot plates and cups, which can cause it to blister and damage the finish. For the best cleaning results, use soap and water for cleaning with a microfiber cloth that will pick up dust particles instead of just pushing them around.
The Best Way to Clean Veneer Furniture
Avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners and rely on simple soap and water. If you want to repair small scratches, you can apply oil polish and rub the area with a soft microfiber cloth until the scratch is no longer visible.
If you have a bottle of Murphy's Oil Soap under your kitchen sink or in your laundry room that you use to clean your hardwood floors, go get it and throw it in the garbage. Seriously, stop using it today. You can use it for other projects like furniture or cabinets but NEVER for wood floors.
Acrylic, polyurethane and solvent based lacquers are the most widely used. Lacquers made from acrylic polyurethane are best for use on engineered and natural timber veneers. Acrylic polyurethane offers excellent durability and resistance to heat, water and yellowing.
If used, wax can build up on your veneer furniture and over time, lead to a cloudy and uneven appearance.