How to Paint Veneered Furniture The Right Way | 13 Easy Steps

When painting veneered furniture, be sure to use the right paints and techniques. Follow these tips to know How to Paint Veneered Furniture the right way and get the best results.

What is Veneer Furniture?

Veneered furniture is a type of furniture made from layers of wood. The different layers are cut and shaped to create a specific design and then glued together.

This process creates a type of wood product that is very difficult to repair or replace if it becomes damaged.

Veneer furniture is generally less expensive than other types of furniture, but it can also be more delicate. Because the layers are cut and shaped by hand, each piece may have slight variations in thickness, shape, and color.

How to Identify Vereered Furniture?

When you are looking to buy veered furniture, the first thing you need to do is identify if it is actually veered. There are a few ways to do this.

The easiest way is to look for a raised edge on one or both of the pieces of furniture. If the raised edge is on only one piece then it is not veered.

If the raised edge is on both pieces, then it is likely that the furniture has been veered.

Another way to identify veered furniture is to look for carved edges or details on the surface of the furniture. Generally, if there are any carvings or details present then it likely means that the piece of furniture has been veered.

How to Paint Veneered Furniture The Right Way 13 Easy Steps

What Type of Paint Works on Veneer Furniture?

Type Of Paint Does It Work on Veneer?
Enamel Paint✔
Oil-Based Paint✔
Chalk Paint✔
Latex-Based Paint✘
Acrylic Paint✔
Lead Paint✘
Metalized Dye Paint✘

How to Paint Veneered Furniture? Step by Step

Step 1: Take Off the Furniture Hardware

Some furniture, such as dressers and chests, may have removable hardware that you can take off for easier painting.

You will need to remove the screws that hold the hardware in place and then remove the hardware itself.

Be sure to label each screw so you can put it back together correctly.

Step 2: Sand the Veneer Surface

When painting a veneered surface, it is important to sand the surface before painting to remove any film or adhesive that may have been applied during the manufacturing process.

Also Read: How to Paint Particle Board Furniture

Sanding also roughens up the surface so that paint will better adhere to the wood.

NOTE: If you don’t want to sand your veneered furniture, you can skip the sanding part and do all the given steps. Just you have to clean its surfaces properly with a rug or anything else to remove any roughness and small damage. This way you can Paint Your Veneered Furniture Without Sanding.

Step 3: Protect the Floor

There are a few things you can do to protect the floor from paint and primer stains. You can try using a paint protection film if you are concerned about staining.

Step 4: Apply Primer

When applying primer to veneered furniture, it is important to follow the specific instructions that come with the product.

Also Read: How to Read Laminate Furniture

Failure to do so may result in a loss of finish and an uneven appearance. Additionally, it is important to be careful when priming pieces that are heavily lacquered as this type of coating can easily become damaged if too much primer is applied.

Apply Primer on Veneered Furniture
Apply Primer on Veneered Furniture | Credit: Posh Pennies

Step 6: Sand the Primed Surface

Sanding the primed surface of veneered wood furniture removes any coats of paint or sealant and prepares the surface for a new coat.

Must Read: Remove Scratches from Furniture

To sand, the primed surface, use fine-grit sandpaper and gentle pressure.

Start by sanding in a circular pattern around the perimeter of the object, then work your way inward.

Be sure to keep pressure applied to avoid scratches on the finish. When you’re finished, clean off any residual dust with a cloth or vacuum cleaner.

Step 7: Apply More Primer

After sanding the furniture, apply a new layer of primer and wait for it to dry. 

Step 8: Sand the Surface Lightly

Use a sandpaper grit of 180-320 to smooth out the finish.

Step 9: Apply First Coat of Paint

When painting veneered furniture, you will want to start by applying a coat of paint to the surface. Make sure to use good quality paint that will adhere well to the wood.

Step 10: Sand the Surface Again

Once the first coat is dry, you need to sand the surface of the furniture again. This will remove any excess paint that was applied and will also make the paint adhere better to the wood.

Step 11: Apply the Second Coat of Paint

Applying the Second Coat of Paint will make it a high-quality, professional-grade wood finish that offers a durable finish and long-lasting protection for your wood furniture.

Step 12: Let It Dry

Once you are satisfied with the quality of the paint, just leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. You can use a hairdryer or leave it in the high sunlight if you want it to ready to use faster.

Step 13: Varnish the Piece

Once the paint is dry, you can apply a varnish to the piece to protect it from dirt, dust, and other elements.

Before Painting Veneered Furniture
Before Painting Veneered Furniture
After Painting Veneered Furniture
After Painting Veneered Furniture

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)While Paint Veneered Furniture

How to Repair Peeling Veneer?

If your veneer is peeling, there are a few things you can do to repair it.

1. Stop the peeling by sanding down the affected area until the veneer is smooth.
2. Apply a sealant to the area and let it dry.
3. Paint over the sealant with high-quality paint that matches your furniture’s color.

Can You Stain Veneer?

If you want to stain your veneer furniture, there are a few things you will need to know.

1. Veneers are made from a thin layer of wood that is glued to a backing. This means that staining can cause damage to the underlying wood and may even lead to the veneer splitting or peeling off.

2. Many kinds of wood can be stained but not all of them will look good together.

3. Make sure you test an inconspicuous area first before applying any stain or finish to your entire piece of furniture.

This way you can be sure that the finish or stain will look good on your specific piece of furniture

Can You Fix Sanded-Through Veneer?

Most people think that if their veneer is sanded through, it’s basically ruined and they can’t fix it. But this is not always the case!

In many cases, a small amount of drywall repair and sanding can fix a damaged veneer. Here are the steps you need to take to fix a damaged veneer:

Step 1: Check for tears in the veneer. If there are any large tears, then the repair will be more difficult and may require more than just drywall repair.

Step 2: Remove any loose pieces of veneer with a knife or pneumatic saw. Make sure to clean up any remaining dust and debris so that your repair doesn’t look like it was done in a hurry.

Step 3: Apply a light coat of drywall joint compound to the area where the veneer is damaged. Use a trowel or a putty knife to spread the compound evenly across the entire area.

Step 4: Sand the repair with fine-grit sandpaper until it’s smooth. Be sure to keep an eye on the edges so that you don’t sand through the veneer entirely.

Step 5: Apply a finish of your choices, such as paint or polyurethane sealant. Let the finish dry completely before moving any furniture back into your home.

Can You Paint Furniture That Has Veneer?

The paintable veneer is a type of laminate wood that is coated with a thin layer of wood fiber and resin. The coating can be removed by sanding or by using a chemical stripper.

The veneer is most commonly used on furniture because it looks like real wood and it can be painted to match any color or style.

Do You Have to Sand Veneer Before Painting?

Yes, you will need to sand the veneer before painting. This is especially important if the veneer is a very light color because dark paint will not show through. If the veneer is a darker color, you can skip the sanding step.

Conclusion

I hope I have put enough information that will be a guide for you to Paint Veneered Furniture with or without sanding at your home.

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