Hello all. I am hoping to find help here as I wasn’t sure where to go. I am a remodeling contractor who just had to install 2 bay windows with maple veneer plywood seat and head boards. Part of the top veneer tore off in transport or unloading or…. The area is about 1 inch by 4 inches. The customer plans on merely putting a clearcoat on the surface to finish it. What is the best way to patch this “chip” as well as cover the screw holes (other than plugging) to make the area blend in as best as possible? Thanks.
Richie
Replies
Thats not an easy one for a perfect fix. If the veneer broke clean with the first layer of substrate, get a scrap of maple veneer and scribe it in (cut it with an xacto or new blade in the razor knife). If it's chewy in there, you may have to rip off an inch and use hardwood, not an idea I like much either, especially if the window is already hanging there, which it sounds like since youre asking about screws. I think the size is too great for shellac sticks to do a good job unless you're an absolute master at using them. Screw holes - if you used trim screws, your average putty is fine after the finish goes on, if you used drywall screws or some other bugle head, back them out, counter sink the holes, put your screws back in, and dowel. You aren't going to hide something that big, I don't think.
Yet another option, and maybe the one you'll like, is get ahold of whoever supplies all your cabinetry and have them send a guy with a sheet of cabinet maple veneer to cut and put in over the damaged surface, just like re-surfacing kitchen cabinets, except here you're resurfacing the head (or seat, as the case may be) of the bow window. Then you can just use filler to level the hole created by the missing veneer before the new goes on. You may have to use tiny fill strips along the edges to hold things tight, like laying shoe down over vinyl. It will cost something, but not as much as a mad customer.
I would try to cut off the top layer of veneer where it tore off and replace it with a new layer. You could cut into it with a knife and straightedge, and then remove it with a chisel. Then try to find some maple veneer that matches and glue it down.
As to the screw holes, why not plug them?
Tom
Thanks to all. I think I'm going to try to patch it and if that doesn't work, I'll cover the inner edges with some molding to cover the chips and screw holes. Thanks again.
Richie
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