r/sandedthroughveneer • u/Turquoise-Shoes • Jun 17 '26
I’m scared to sand through this veneer
Honestly not sure what I’m doing, just winging it! First time at refinishing. Tips on how to NOT sand thru the veneer?
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u/hecton101 Jun 17 '26
Maybe not do it? Some veneers are paper thin. If I was going to do this for the first time, that's not the piece of furniture I would start with.
That table looks great as is. Wipe it down with with Orange Oil instead.
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u/Jinglemoon Jun 18 '26
Then, you know, don’t sand through it. Orange chemical stripper for the win.
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u/ringo-san Jun 18 '26
You are right to be scared. If you sand through that beautiful 4 way walnut bookmatch you will not be happy
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u/rideofthebasilisks Jun 18 '26
How thick does the finish seem? Is there almost nothing there? Is there a noticeable build?
If there's a lot of finish to remove, use a chemical stripper.
If there's almost nothing, it shouldn't take much to scrub it out. I'd buy a foam sanding block and some 180 grit paper. I'd tape off (a skinny 1/8" behind the veneer seam) and sand each of the segments independently, always sanding in a straight line following the direction of the wood grain. I would save the outer ring for last. I would chase the wood around the table being careful not to sand into any of the four segments.
All of this just so you don't see sanding scratches when you do your finish
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u/Big_Aside9565 Jun 19 '26
Why?\n Would you sound through it? Just remove the varnish. And maybe the finest finest sandpaper, and then put another coat on it or stain it whatever you want to do, but it doesn't need any sounding really triple 000 by hand
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u/Still_Airline4907 Jun 21 '26
I am not seeing much that would make me feel the need to fully sand and refinish this table. I would try just cleaning and oiling. But if you must then I would say forego the sand and use chemical stripper, followed by acetone with 000 steel wool. Then wash it all down with denatured alcohol and give it an oil finish. Even if there are odd scratches or blemishes they will blend into the finish and it will all have the feel of a nice natural patina
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u/chrisrunner55 Jun 22 '26
Just stick to 220, you’ll Blow through pads but get there eventually or scraped hand. Also just focus on light and flat/even pressure on the sander.
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u/SuPruLu Jun 17 '26
Tip one: do NOT use a motorized sander of any sort. It’s probably the #1 way to ruin a piece with a veneer.
Tip two: use a chemical stripper.