Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Feb 06, 2007 02:06am | #1

   Concerning the veneer removal; Try warming the surface with an iron or a heat gun to help melt the glue and aid in getting a wide putty knife underneath. You can remove the glue residue two ways; if it is hide glue denatured alcohol will reverse it. If it is another glue like pva, heat some vinegar in the microwave and apply it to the glue. It will melt it so you can easily scrape it off. Be careful that you don't gouge the top you are removing the veneer from or your new piece of veneer will never sit flat. I would hesitate using a belt sander as you can make a mistake in a second that can take hours to rectify.

   Getting that old golden tone depends on the veneers color. If it is the grey brown we see so much today, you would need to bleach it and then bring the color back up. Before you do this, I strongly suggest you read about this process. Any of the finishing books out there go into detail on the subject. Your local library might have them or a woodworking store might also.

   The color can be replicated using dyes. Do you have any experience with them? You can use a medium yellow first to get the "ground " color. Be sure and have a model of some sort or picture of what you are trying to match.

   You'll want to lay up a sample or two of the veneer to practice on. Also, what finish were you planning on using?

   Peter

1. 
   jbaer | Feb 15, 2007 02:24am | #2

   Thanks!  The veneer came off well and the chest top has been re-veenered.   Regarding the finish,  I was planning on using lacquer since I am familiar with it.   I would like to avoid stripping  the sides of the chest and only add dye where the color has faded and then apply lacquer.   Then I could match the new top to the sides as you suggested.  I have Mike Dresner's book on finishing, but there isn't much info on refinishing.  Any suggestions?