All about painting veneer

Over the years, furniture, doors and other structures made of veneer begin to lose their attractiveness. The least time-consuming and easiest way to restore the presentable appearance of veneered products involves painting them in a different color. Can veneer products be dyed? With what paint is it allowed to perform this procedure? How is the painting of veneered surfaces carried out?

Veneer is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly material that is made of wood sheets up to 1 centimeter thick. In the manufacture of furniture, doors and other structures, veneer sheets are glued to a strong and dense wooden base, which is usually used as chipboard and fiberboard (MDF). Veneer has the texture, visual appeal and properties of natural wood.

In the same time the thinness and fragility of the veneer plates determine its fragility, vulnerability to moisture and mechanical damage. Considering these features, the primary and re-painting, as well as the surface treatment of veneered products, is carried out with the utmost care. Careless and inaccurate actions when working with veneer can cause damage to the material, the appearance of cracks on its surface, deep scratches and chips.

Looseness is another characteristic feature of veneer that distinguishes it from solid wood. This feature causes an increased consumption of paints and varnishes when working with veneered surfaces. This nuance should also be taken into account when planning to paint structures with veneer trim at home.

At the stage of preparation for painting veneer, special attention should be paid to the choice of a suitable paint and varnish material. The most commonly used water-based quick-drying acrylic paints are used to change the color of veneered surfaces. Experts attribute environmental friendliness, simplicity and ease of use to the advantages of this type of paints. The paints do not have a pungent and unpleasant odor, which makes them suitable for indoor use.

For painting veneer-finished entrance doors, experts recommend giving preference to alkyd enamel. It will provide a durable and durable coating that is resistant to moisture and UV radiation. Intending to use enamel for painting veneered entrance doors, it should be borne in mind that it will completely hide the unique texture and natural roughness of the wood.

It is allowed to paint veneer with polyurethane paints. The coating made with such paints will protect the tree from moisture, mechanical damage, exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

It is strongly not recommended to use waterproof nitro paints for painting veneer structures. After drying, paints of this type are capable of forming ugly matte stains on veneered surfaces.

Before you start painting veneer products with your own hands, you need to prepare the following list of available tools and materials:

• coarse and fine-grained sandpaper;
• primer;
• spray gun, roller or brush;
• stain (if necessary);
• paint and varnish material (paint, enamel, varnish);
• solvent;
• brush or scraper to remove old paintwork.

Next, proceed to the direct preparation of the veneer structure itself. At this stage, the existing fittings, decor and removable parts (handles, fasteners, hinges) are dismantled. If for some reason it is impossible to dismantle these elements, they should be wrapped in several layers of plastic cling film.

Then the surface of the structure must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and degreased. For degreasing, universal solvents are most often used. After applying the degreasing agent, wait until the treated surface is completely dry.

Repainting a veneer product in a different color requires thorough removal of the old coating. It is recommended to use a fine grain skin at this stage.

Removing the old coating with a metal scraper or a coarse brush is desirable in extreme cases. Such manipulations must be performed with utmost care so as not to damage the fragile veneered surface. Minor damage and chips found during work should be primed and leveled with wood putty. After the putty has dried, the damaged area is sanded with sandpaper.

For to change the color of the veneer (if necessary), it is recommended to use a stain. Before use, it is thoroughly mixed and applied to the veneer surface in two layers. Before processing the veneer with enamel or water-based paints, stain is not used.

To apply paint to the veneer surface, it is recommended to use a spray gun (paint sprayer). The layers of paint applied with this tool are thin and even. In addition, the use of a spray gun avoids the appearance of drips and the formation of air bubbles. After applying the first coat of paint, wait until it dries completely. Applying a second coat of paint to a wet surface may cause air bubbles and sagging.

In the absence of a spray gun, it is allowed to use foam rollers and brushes with durable bristles. When painting a veneered surface with these tools, one should not rush, making chaotic movements in a random order.

After painting, the veneer structure is left for 48 hours in a dry and well-ventilated room. During the specified time, the painted product must be reliably protected from moisture, dust and dirt. Otherwise, the fresh paintwork could be seriously damaged. After the paint layer has completely dried, the veneer structure can be coated with a layer of varnish, which will give the product an attractive glossy shine.

For information on how to paint veneer, see the next video.