Edit: Unable to upload photographs despite correct format (jpg) and file size (around 120kb). Will try again later.
Hello, everyone!
I’m working on my first furniture refinishing project (kitchen table/island with built-in wine rack). After sanding down the tabletop, I was left with a thin layer of what I believe to be Acacia veneer. Due to many inconsistencies in the veneer, I opted to whitewash the top and then added a light layer of gel stain before adding a coat of polyurethane. The initial result can be seen in image # 1. I loved the look and continued to add five more layers of polyurethane (with drying time/light sanding in between) to offer maximum protection since this is a kitchen table/island. I then left the table to dry in our garage for a couple of days and noticed how much is has yellowed over since (see pictures # 2 and 3). After doing some research, I learned that oil-based products tend to yellow over, so lesson learned.
I’m trying to find out what my options are at this point. Do I need to sand off all the layers of poly and start over or can I simply sand off the top sheen, white-wash things again and top it with a polycrylic coat instead? I’m also considering just doing a solid color of Behr Premium Urethane Alkyd Enamel at this point, but wonder if I can keep the existing poly coats underneath and simply scuff sand, prime and then paint?
Thanks in advance for reading and all forthcoming replies. I appreciate your time.
Martina
Replies
In general, once the polyurethane has cured, nothing (not even more poly) will stick to it. Given that you have a thin veneer under it, you may have trouble sanding off the poly without sanding thru the veneer. If you paint it, that would be less of a concern.
Water based poly yellows much less than oil based.
Thanks for your reply and the information on the poly. I appreciate it.
If you hate it, then strip it with a chemical stripper and sand very lightly after with 220/240
Water based poly is much better at not yellowing, though some wood will yellow anyway. No experience with acacia myself so can't say much about that one.
That's what I ended up doing- using a chemical stripper followed by sanding everything down. Time to start over again, but at least I have a clean slate. Thanks for your time and reply- much appreciated!
If you add a layer of anything, you'll need to sand lightly first. If you add a clear finish, the yellow will always show through. You could add a glaze to darken the finish, but I don't care for that. It obscures the wood, and is basically paint.
If you strip and refinish, be careful you don't blow through the veneer. As above, I would chemically strip first. If you try to sand from the start, you're almost certain to blow through the veneer.
I think I'd be inclined to live with it as it is.
After all the work I already put into it, I was very tempted to do what you suggested- scuff sand the poly and then paint over it. That certainly would have been the easiest and quickest way out. But since I'm selling this piece, I wanted to make sure it was done right, so I stripped it back down to the bare wood veneer and will now start over. Thanks so much for your reply and suggestions- I appreciate your time and feedback.