How to protect wood veneer sideboard
October 2, 2020 5:03 PM Subscribe
We bought this sideboard less than a year ago. We are very happy with the style and function, but the veneer scratches and marks SO easily. Is it possible to sand the top and coat it with something protective? Lacquer, varnish, polish???
This picture shows the marks on the top.
These marks are not even from moisture, I am confused about how they got there as there was no moisture that I am aware of - nothing rough happening on there - seemingly just from having the pot sitting on the surface. It's not even a year old. I am sad that it looks so ugly now.
I have tried to determine how thick the veneer is, which is hard - but this is a picture of the corner - it looks very thin, I think?
It is a shame because it's a nice looking veneer and a nice imitation mid-modern sideboard.
Can I sand and coat it with something protective? It is not used for anything other than putting plants on. No animals or moisture etc.
I don't know ANYTHING about this kind of thing, but would love to find a way to preserve this surface so it doesn't look like crap.
If anyone can advise, whether it can be sanded, and coated, and what to coat it with, that would be really great, thank you.
This picture shows the marks on the top.
These marks are not even from moisture, I am confused about how they got there as there was no moisture that I am aware of - nothing rough happening on there - seemingly just from having the pot sitting on the surface. It's not even a year old. I am sad that it looks so ugly now.
I have tried to determine how thick the veneer is, which is hard - but this is a picture of the corner - it looks very thin, I think?
It is a shame because it's a nice looking veneer and a nice imitation mid-modern sideboard.
Can I sand and coat it with something protective? It is not used for anything other than putting plants on. No animals or moisture etc.
I don't know ANYTHING about this kind of thing, but would love to find a way to preserve this surface so it doesn't look like crap.
If anyone can advise, whether it can be sanded, and coated, and what to coat it with, that would be really great, thank you.
Response by poster: THanks @typetive - I can see how that would work - but it wouldn't help with the marks that are already there... will consider it as an option though :)
posted by beccyjoe at 5:42 PM on October 2, 2020
posted by beccyjoe at 5:42 PM on October 2, 2020
Sanding veneer is difficult; it is very thin and water damage usually goes beyond the veneer itself. So you're often left with trying to repair marks in place. You could try something like Restore a Finish followed with a wax finish. Danish oil or paste wax might also be an option.
If you are able to repair the surface, protecting it is really the only way to preserve it. As typetive said, tempered glass is your best option there, followed by waterproof covering (vinyl, waxed cloths, etc).
Honestly, if a finished veneer is showing wear like that after a year, you may have a bad piece and I'd look into a warrantee
posted by youknowwhatpart at 8:05 PM on October 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you are able to repair the surface, protecting it is really the only way to preserve it. As typetive said, tempered glass is your best option there, followed by waterproof covering (vinyl, waxed cloths, etc).
Honestly, if a finished veneer is showing wear like that after a year, you may have a bad piece and I'd look into a warrantee
posted by youknowwhatpart at 8:05 PM on October 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sanding down a thin veneer is a bad idea, you're too likely to go through. I wonder what the existing finish is, on your link it looks like it just says it's an "easy finish that just needs wiping down". Without knowing what the current finish is, it's hard to know how to fix it.
Some options:
- a bit of mineral oil or teak oil might help those white marks, it works wonders on old wood with a shellac finish but not so great on some modern woods with a poly finish - it can darken some woods and bleed unevenly under the varnish, you'd want to test this first somewhere unobtrusive. Apply a bit of oil with fine wire wool, wipe off, wait half an hour. Sometimes works wonders.
b) I have found marine grade varnish, designed for boats, makes a great durable surface (I tested several finishes once with glasses of water and hot cups of coffee. The marine varnish was the only one that didn't get white ring marks.) It will look different, like it has a more obvious coating. The big issue you'll have is that if the existing surface is an oiled finish or something other than varnish, it may not adhere properly. Ideally you'd sand down the existing finish but that's not advisable due to veneer issues so... Not the best option.
c) glass covering. Probably the best way to go if you can reduce the existing damage without sanding.
d) it doesn't look like the case from the pictures, BUT if the existing finish is a varnish, and the white marks are actually in the varnish rather than the wood which can happen, you could use a paint stripper to remove the finish.
e) if you do at some point commit to sanding, because the alternative is getting rid of it, try rubbing with some coarse wire wool, maybe with some methylated spirits or white spirits (wear a mask). If you're lucky this can sand very finely and remove some finishes without removing much at all of the veneer.
Big Caveats with all this advice: I normally work with antique furniture and can't really tell much about the piece from the pictures, some of this advice may be terrible!
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:35 AM on October 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Some options:
- a bit of mineral oil or teak oil might help those white marks, it works wonders on old wood with a shellac finish but not so great on some modern woods with a poly finish - it can darken some woods and bleed unevenly under the varnish, you'd want to test this first somewhere unobtrusive. Apply a bit of oil with fine wire wool, wipe off, wait half an hour. Sometimes works wonders.
b) I have found marine grade varnish, designed for boats, makes a great durable surface (I tested several finishes once with glasses of water and hot cups of coffee. The marine varnish was the only one that didn't get white ring marks.) It will look different, like it has a more obvious coating. The big issue you'll have is that if the existing surface is an oiled finish or something other than varnish, it may not adhere properly. Ideally you'd sand down the existing finish but that's not advisable due to veneer issues so... Not the best option.
c) glass covering. Probably the best way to go if you can reduce the existing damage without sanding.
d) it doesn't look like the case from the pictures, BUT if the existing finish is a varnish, and the white marks are actually in the varnish rather than the wood which can happen, you could use a paint stripper to remove the finish.
e) if you do at some point commit to sanding, because the alternative is getting rid of it, try rubbing with some coarse wire wool, maybe with some methylated spirits or white spirits (wear a mask). If you're lucky this can sand very finely and remove some finishes without removing much at all of the veneer.
Big Caveats with all this advice: I normally work with antique furniture and can't really tell much about the piece from the pictures, some of this advice may be terrible!
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:35 AM on October 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
For the record, plants count as a source of moisture, even if they have trays. Water is sneaky.
As for help, I agree sanding will be problematic and if it were mine I'd try various oils as suggested above. In addition to mineral and teak you could try raw linseed/flax oil to help leave a harder finish while also hopefully covering the white bits.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:12 AM on October 3, 2020
As for help, I agree sanding will be problematic and if it were mine I'd try various oils as suggested above. In addition to mineral and teak you could try raw linseed/flax oil to help leave a harder finish while also hopefully covering the white bits.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:12 AM on October 3, 2020
The product page says the veneer is walnut. Walnut darkens under sunlight. So if parts have been covered, such as with a pot on it, then those parts would not darken while the rest would. If this is the cause and you remove the pots it'll get to roughly the same colour over time.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:16 AM on October 3, 2020
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:16 AM on October 3, 2020
Have to contradict portmanteau - walnut gets lighter in sunlight (cherry gets darker). Those rings are definitely moisture damage and it'll be right through the veneer. I'd put an attractive fabric runner to cover the damage and take it as a lesson not to put plants on furniture (even in plastic pots, even with several trays, even etc.) Get a few plant stands.
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:28 AM on October 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:28 AM on October 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
You're right, I got things backwards. Lightens not darkens. Ignore my answer.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:55 AM on October 3, 2020
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:55 AM on October 3, 2020
I am seconding the Restore a Finish. That stuff is like magic. It’s also fairly cheap and way less risky than trying to sand/strip something. I’ve rescued a lot with it. I would recommend using that to get it back to a good place, then getting glass cut for protection.
posted by August Fury at 7:23 AM on October 3, 2020
posted by August Fury at 7:23 AM on October 3, 2020
Bob Vila has some advice. Rubbing with cigarette ash is the one I heard loooong ago.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:05 AM on October 3, 2020
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:05 AM on October 3, 2020
Response by poster: THANK YOU so much everyone who's commented. Really appreciate it. Will consider all the advice offered here :)
posted by beccyjoe at 1:58 PM on October 3, 2020
posted by beccyjoe at 1:58 PM on October 3, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
It's darn durable, you can spill on it and it cleans up with a variety of cleaning products very easily.
posted by typetive at 5:35 PM on October 2, 2020 [1 favorite]