How To Stain Veneered Wood
Unlike real and solid wood, veneered woods are thinly sliced woods that are ironed to look more polished and smooth. Furniture manufacturers have been using veneered woods for years, enjoying the advantages of more polished furniture pieces without too much hard work.
However, veneered wood is better than the typical wood only in terms of appearance. Veneer can be durable but not as durable as the solid wood. That is why staining veneered woods must be done carefully if you do not want to ruin their smooth finish so easily. To attain a well-stained and well-polished veneered wood, follow the steps below.
Prepare the veneered wood
Wipe away dirt build-up on the wood with a damp rag. The moist rag will soften the wood thus making it easy for you to scrape off the existing finish. You can use sandpaper too in scrubbing the surface. Before proceeding to the next step, check if the wood has dried completely.
Sand the veneered wood
This is the most challenging step because veneered woods are already thin. Your sanding should never be too much, or else you will only make the wood thinner. Use the 220 grit sandpaper for the job. Sand the surface evenly following the grain’s direction.
If you do not follow a single direction in sanding, you will leave obvious scratches on the surface which becomes visible after the staining. When you see the yellow surface of veneered wood appearing, stop sanding it. The yellow color indicates the exterior portion of the wood.
Remove sand dust
Brush away sand dusts and then wipe the remaining dusts with a clean and damp cloth. A damp rag may be used as long as you soak the rag using the same base for the stain. So, if you will be using oil-based stain, you should damp the rag with mineral oil. Use water if you will be using the water-based alternative. Let the wood to dry completely before going to the next step.
Prepare the stain
Mix the stain and then apply some of it on a hidden part of the veneered wood. See if the stain works well with the wood.
Apply the stain
Use a rag or a brush to apply a thin layer of stain on the wood. Apply in the grain’s direction. Let it dry first and then apply another coat of stain. Letting the stain to dry will take about three hours. Better follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on how to use the stain. In case you put too much stain, you can remove some of it by pressing the rag on a piece of wood (not the veneered wood). Add more stains on other wood areas to even out the color. Wait until the stain is completely dry, which will take about four to six hours.
Apply finishing
Varnish paint or any other finishing will protect the stain as well as the veneered wood. Evenly apply the finishing on the wood by following the grain’s direction. Wait for the previous coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. Apply about three coats for more polished look.
Veneered wood, like the usual wood, needs a day or more before the finish completely dries. The waiting period depends on many factors like humidity and type of stain and finish. For best results, stain veneered wood during spring or summer when the air is dry and warm.
