Removing veneer from table top

[lhfarm]

We have an old wood dinning table we leave on our front porch. The veneer has start to lift and buckle. My wife wants to remove it and has been told to rent a "steamer". Not sure what that is, but I'm wondering if one of the multi-task vibrating tools might do the job.

Any suggestions for the right tool or where to rent a steamer if it is the correct method?

Thanks,

 

[Lloyd_E]

Depending on the glue used, steam might work. You could try placing hot wet towels on the top. There may be enough moisture penetration to start lifting the veneer. Once it starts you could probably peel it off.

Good luck... post pics sound like an interesting wood working project.

Lloyd

 

[vic4news]

I would just use a palm or belt sander on the top. Most veneers are so thin that it doesn't take much to sand through them.

Vic

 

[Egon]

You could try placing hot wet towels on the top. There may be enough moisture penetration to start lifting the veneer.

Make them nice wet towels and apply the iron to them.

 

[lhfarm]

I should have added pictures . Thanks for the quick replies. Towels and iron sounds doable. Don't have a belt sander, so maybe this is a buying opportunity!

 

[Egon]

One of the Multi Tools with a scrapper blade should also work.

 

[DennisArrow]

Is that your "back porch" table. Is that what is it gonna be used for or is it actually gonna be used in a kitchen/dining room. I hate to see a fine old oak piece like that destroyed. Perhaps is there anyway to get some replacement oak veneer to repair replace the old?..........Is the purpose just to get a table top work surface?...........

For me........the towels/steam are the best bet to save a surface that is going to be "nice". Sanding and scraping the veneer off is just gonna leave LOTS of gouges and humps that will make the top look like junk. Wait for it to dry for several days before sanding/staining/finishing

Doesnt matter if it is just a work surface; but if the intent is to pass it down to your daughter or even do some guest dining.....I would take care of it...........GET SOME VENEER AND REPAIR IT........God bless.....Dennis

 

[johnrex62]

I watched this process recently on an episode of American Restoration. They put damp towels on top and used a steam iron (laundry style) to heat and soften the adhesive and a putty knife to peel off the veneer.

He said it was just like taking off wallpaper....but a lot harder. :thumbsup:

 

[HCJtractor]

Good advice for steam, definitely don't use sandpaper or a power scraper. You will probably disappointed in what you find underneath. Most veneered pieces used cheaper wood underneath, something not nice enough to stain and finish, hence the need to venner it with something finer. So it depends on your use.

 

[lhfarm]

Is that your "back porch" table. Is that what is it gonna be used for or is it actually gonna be used in a kitchen/dining room. I hate to see a fine old oak piece like that destroyed. Perhaps is there anyway to get some replacement oak veneer to repair replace the old?..........Is the purpose just to get a table top work surface?...........

For me........the towels/steam are the best bet to save a surface that is going to be "nice". Sanding and scraping the veneer off is just gonna leave LOTS of gouges and humps that will make the top look like junk. Wait for it to dry for several days before sanding/staining/finishing

Doesnt matter if it is just a work surface; but if the intent is to pass it down to your daughter or even do some guest dining.....I would take care of it...........GET SOME VENEER AND REPAIR IT........God bless.....Dennis

The table is on our covered front porch and has been there for at least 15 years. We eat out there about every meal during the summer. It has taken a lot of abuse, but is too heavy to move indoors in the winter, although I might be able to move it with my forks - just no room to store.

We are going to try the towel/steam iron approach and I'll see if we can find some veneer.

Thanks,

 

[smstonypoint]

Any idea about the secondary wood? I can't tell from the photos.


Steve

 

[studor]

Just because I am old does not mean I am an heirloom
+1 on the suggestions for soaking and scraping -- a belt sander in the hands of the inexperienced can do some awfull damage. The table top will probably be a clear hardwood like birch, ash or maple -- they usually started with wood we would consider great today and laminated the oak for appearances
The other thing to try is soaking it and then using a heat gun and scraper -- a lot of the glues were water based and heating them softens them as well. Iif all that doesnt work try a mixture of acetone and laquer thinner -- that will take off any remaining fininish making it easier for the moisture to get to the glue - JMHO

 

[DennisArrow]

We are going to try the towel/steam iron approach and I'll see if we can find some veneer.

Thanks,

Barry....Just noticed you are in Indiana.....Golly sakes Bud, YOU are in the heart of the hardwood veneer country. I havent done a search; but looking for oak veneers ought to find you LOTS........You will get it in a roll much like wall paper, formica or counter top material.....Use contact cement to the table surface and the back side of the veneer......really not a lot of technique; but when and if the time comes bring this back up and will be glad to help. By the way, the oak veneer, try to get quarter sawn/tiger ought to be in the perhaps $1.00 per square foot range..........God bless......Dennis

 

[bearhawk]

I would think that just replacing the veneer will leave you with the same problem in a few years.

How about milling a small oak edge and then tile the top. Just scrape off the loose veneer and seal the wood before setting the tile.

Possibly just use formica laminate, but not sure how it will weather the winters..

Good luck.

 

[mrfu]

If you use contact cement only use it on the paperbacked veneers, It doesn't work nearly as well on raw unbacked veneer. The other thing is that paperbacked veneer is usually presanded so you only really need to clean it up with 220 or 180 grit sandpaper. The stuff is really thin so be careful. I think Vandykes restorers carry paperbacked veneers.
Tom

 

[kenmac]

I watched this process recently on an episode of American Restoration. They put damp towels on top and used a steam iron (laundry style) to heat and soften the adhesive and a putty knife to peel off the veneer.

He said it was just like taking off wallpaper....but a lot harder. :thumbsup:

Saw the same show. That's what I was going to recommend

 

[stub]

I replaced a thin oak veneer on a nice kitchen table over plywood substrate. Looked great for about a year before it peeled up again. Without a vaccum press you can't make it stick permanent no matter what you use, contact cement, iron on heat glue, etc. I tried them all. Next go-round I'll make a solid top.

 

[2manyrocks]

Changes in outdoor humidity are going to make it difficult for any wood veneer to stay glued down outside.

I attempted to refinish a veneered wood desk one time many years ago, and this thread has brought back to memory all the goofs I made back then.