I just inherited an oval conference table. It was described to me ahead of time as seriously scratched, but I assumed I would just sand out the imperfections and refinish it.
When I got to see it, I realized (too late for good manners) that it’s particle board with a mahogany or cherry veneer. I’m afraid the scratches are deeper than the veneer. I gratefully accepted the “gift,” but now I’m stuck with either finding a way to fix it or get rid of it myself.
Of course the most and the worst scratches are on the most visible part — the top.
Can this table be saved? Is it worth the effort? It looks like it was originally a high quality piece of office furniture, by today’s standards.
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
Replies
Sure it can be saved. You can re-veneer the top. You would need to strip the old finish from what's left of the existing veneer, assuming the veneer is not loose just gouged. Then fill the scratches level to the current veneer. Sand all of this flat to provide a good bonding surface to apply new veneer.
Conference tables are usually pretty large making the veneering a real project, but it isn't insurmountable--if you have use for such a table. Veneer isn't cheap, but only you can decide whether the end result would be worth it. You might learn something interesting.
Hi Steve:
Thanks for the reply. I had thought of that -- but it leaves me with the question of matching the level of the new veneer to the edging, which does not appear to be veneer but wood. Wouldn't the new veneer top be the thickness of the veneer above the wood edging?
Well yes, it the surface would be roughly 1/40th of an inch above, but as long as you didn't use paperbacked veneer or the like, the edge of the veneer is also just wood that would take stain and finish much like the edging and the top though there would likely be more end grain. I think it would be pretty insignificant visually, not like old style formica where you saw the dark line under the surface. You could do a quick test temporaily placing a small piece of veneer to check this out.
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