The Insanely EASY Way to Remove Veneer from Wood Furniture

[@ARayofSunlight]

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[@richescallier6416]

Found this video after struggling on a panel for an hour to get 10% removed. Tried your method and finished in 30 minutes. Ruined 2 rag towels and the garage sale iron wasn’t happy but it worked very well. Thanks for saving me a lot of work and from needing to use my favorite plumbing words.

[@scootermom1791]

"Plumbing words" lol 😂😆🤣🙂

[@steenystuff1075]

😂😂😂

[@kathleenf8196]

This worked amazing! I just finished doing your method on my grandfather's early 1900 chiffenrobe dresser. I can't believe how easy it was.... I have procrasitinated on this project because of the peeling walnut veneer on the top. Now I can get this refinished and bring it back to it's original beauty. Thanks so much Natalie for posting this video to show us all how to get our projects done so easily...

[@victoriahawley9714]

I am so glad i found your video! I am restoring an antique treadle sewing machine. This method is a breeze!

[@MariE-go7ol]

Thank you!! You were my first video for my antique veneer removal and so glad I watched you first!!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Update from my comment below: What a fantastic system. I've been struggling with this one piece for a couple of months. In just two hours I have it completed and now I'm working on the other side, which I wasn't going to do in the first place since no one will see it Thank you for this video!!

[@schlumy]

SO glad I found your post! I had water damage to a vintage dining table with veneer top and I went for it!!! I did a little test run and it’s amazing. Patiently waiting for my towel to sit to motor on. ❤

[@ARayofSunlight]

That's awesome!

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

PRECISELY what I was looking for! I'm building a gate as a gift for my lovely neighbour using a couple of old bed frame slats I found in the street. The wood is still really good and strong. It almost looks brand new apart from a little dirt here and there. Ty for educating me! Great video & you got a new subber : ]

[@ARayofSunlight]

Glad I could help!

[@mikeharrington5593]

I was struggling with such a job, & thought " I think I will try a steam iron", but first decided to check out KZbin and Hey Presto! I didn't have a "spare" iron so made a mess of my decent one which I revived by cleaning - switched off but hot-ish & scoured using solid soap and *TIP* the underside of an aluminum foil seal from a yogurt pot, which has just the right amount of abrasive surface (I've used this material to scour stained saucepans and quite a few other tasks ! Further advice it doesn't need to be towel material (which usefully does hold a lot of wated) and any thick scrap cotton material (eg old T-shirt) will do - just DON'T use synthetic material as it will melt onto the iron !

[@jojobeckman989]

Good to know! Thank you. Needed this right now as I just started work on a dresser that was my parents. Found a year stamp and that thing is as old as me!

[@custamized4151]

Just followed your method! MIRACLE WORKER!!!! After leaving the wet towel on over night, i pulled away 12 x 15 inch pieces!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us! #SoSatisfying

[@ARayofSunlight]

Oh I’m so glad it worked well for you!!

[@judytaya4347]

You have saved an old sewing machine cabinet from the burn pile! I thought there was no way I was going to get that veneer off! THANK YOU!!

[@CPR4THEBODYlivingaenrichedlife]

Did u try it? Did it work?

[@judytaya4347]

@@CPR4THEBODYlivingaenrichedlife Yes! It worked beautifully!

[@StayFrostyMyFriends]

Lol I just found this video in hopes of restoring an old treadle sewing machine cabinet! Maybe I will do it after all.

[@mender722]

I had an idea for removing veneer from an old cedar cabinet. But I thought I should look it up to see how best to do it. Low and behold, your method is the same as what I was thinking of doing. How cool is that?

[@loriem1031]

Just found this tutorial today...starting on an OLD small table with very damaged veneer, the last side I have to remove has been HARD! Now I have to try this! Thank you for sharing!! New subscriber :)

[@ARayofSunlight]

I hope it makes it so much easier for you!!

[@loriem1031]

@@ARayofSunlight I did it today, took a little effort, but was able to finish stripping the stubborn side of the little cabinet I'm starting on!

[@KrazyKats39]

Thanks for sharing! I couldnt figure out why an antique dresser wouldn't sand down to get rid of the stain. Stripped it twice tried vinegar and paper towels were brown. thought this is weird. til today. left it out and the cover blew off and the dresser top got drenched. rain from hurricane Ian. I said CRAP!!!!. Veneer. Welp thats why it wouldn't sand off. started doing the scraper thing. came off as long as it was wet. 2 layers. soon as it dried. forgetaboutit. said there's gotta be a better way. and here you are. Thankyou

[@conscience-commenter]

Use brown parchment paper instead of the towel in case there is a finish that will melt to the towel .

[@joannaswift2284]

Great tip, thanks 👍. I've been using a wallpaper steamer. It softened the veneer, and the glued on wood underneath very quickly, but it's now packed up on me. I'll try your method to get the remaining glued on wood off.

[@BrandiDean]

This worked SO well for me - but only *after* I’d sanded off the stain and top coat. I think that was doing a really great job of not letting the water from towel penetrate down into the veneer (only a corner of it was damaged). I tried first before sanding and got nowhere. After sanding off the topcoat and stain, it took maybe 30 minutes to do a table leaf. (I also think my veneer was a lot thicker than the veneer in the video.)

[@marysegady6029]

Thank you so much. I followed your step by step instructions but I replaced the iron with steam window cleaner and it works great🤩🤩👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@melraine919]

Well done 👏🏼 👍🏼 Ray of Sunshine ☀️ Good demo and informative 👍🏼 Thank you from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thank you!

[@melraine919]

@@ARayofSunlight You’re welcome 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@GrenPara]

Hello, excellent video thanks for making it. I do have one question, is there a way to remove the veneer to be about to use it? I need to cut a strip out of veneer 1 inch wide and move it an inch over. It is old vaneer so cant get the design/pattern anymore.

[@suemorrissey2234]

Thanks for sharing this! Would you by any chance have an easy method to remove felt from a table?

[@ARayofSunlight]

Hey! This might not quite be the same but this blog might be able to help you: arayofsunlight.com/how-to-remove-felt-from-wood-drawers/

[@sarahmanning9812]

So glad I found your video! Helped me immensely

[@ARayofSunlight]

Glad it helped!

[@kscamara123]

Just tried it on contact-cemented veneer --- I was skeptical since this was not the traditional veneer glue. However, it worked just like your demo --- maybe a little more steam and heat. I also used my pastry cutter as a scraper. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@thesinkingcanoeantiques]

This is going to save so much time! What brand of sander are you using?

[@donnacosta6633]

This worked great! Removed some lamanate at bottom of converted cabinet to bath sink. Came of soooo fast! Thank you!

[@furniturerecreated]

wow! I'm so excited to see there is an easier way to take off veneer! Thanks!

[@Serenity-sg4jf]

So amazing, I had no idea that you could lift veneer from the furniture piece. I found your channel by searching if it could be removed, and I found your channel. I've often wondered why Veneer was used back in the day just due to the fact that furniture was built with solid wood underneath the veneer. I do not like the look of Veneer, and I am curious in finding out as to why they used Veneer to begin with rather than just allowing the solid wood to being the surface of the furniture. Today's times furniture manufactures use pressed wood under the veneer so that would make more sense as it's cheaper to do it that way, but if you were wanting to lift the veneer from manufactured furniture today, you will fine unsightly pressed wood.

[@RightProud]

I wondered the same thing and asked my parents and they said it was because the veneer made the piece of furniture look more expensive- oak veneer over pine, for example. It also hid any imperfections in the wood. I’m glad many people nowadays appreciate solid wood furniture, including its imperfections.

[@markdinmore9766]

Fantastic thank you 😊 have got all my veneer of today had I not done this I would have put in the bin again thank you

[@cathkerry2335]

Thanks for another brilliant video! I need to know what that brilliant little square sander is? I’m having trouble finding a powerful little sander. My orbital is fantastic but I really need to find a little one that’s as good? Tia x

[@kstroup1200]

Hi. I bought a cheap iron and I’m going to attempt this today. Great video! I really want to know about your sander!!!

[@cfaz6763]

How'd it go?

[@simonedubay9347]

Thank you so much for this!!! I am going to try this out tonight!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Good luck!!

[@WrenintheRoses]

Three of us share a house built in 1928. Past tenets were not kind to this old house and caused lots of physical damage. The kitchen cabinets are in very bad shape from neglect and abuse. I’m currently working on repairing one of the two sandwich boards that are on each side of the sink. These sandwich boards are made from the same stock as the cabinets and I’d like to salvage as much as I can. The worst of the two has a large deep burn in the veneer, with part of it still good that I want to use to repair other parts of the cabinets. I’m going to try your method and see if I can duplicate your results.

[@KarlVogue92]

Does this method work on softer woods like cedar when removing the veneer?

[@SutchiroPete]

Hey, this works like a charm once you figure out the amount of time needed for the iron! And. you're probably tired of answering questions about this video by now, but if not, can you tell me what you do if there is left over glue on the surface? Do you just sacrifice some sandpaper after letting it dry again, or would you use the iron again?

[@ARayofSunlight]

Glad it’s helpful! Yeah I would sand it off after it’s dry.

[@SutchiroPete]

@@ARayofSunlight Thank you. It came out very well!

[@marymuniz2376]

Great video! Any suggestions on how to remove veneer from an exterior door? I can't take it down to work on it.

[@chanelbenjamina]

Great video! Easy enough!! I got a old old table and it’s so old it’s put together with nails lol. I’m so nervous about taking the veneer off not know what to expect but it’s lifting and peeled off in one spot aren’t I better off to remove the entire veneer?

[@cindyarkeilpane746]

Hi Natalie! What is the purpose of removing veneer - - so can you sand and stain the wood underneath? Can the veneer itself be lightly sanded and stained since its just a thin layer of wood? Thank you!

[@maren807]

For me, I need to remove the veneer because it is damaged and buckling and the piece will not look very good unless I remove the damaged wood before repainting it.

[@omgDora]

Here's what I learned from restoration videos: if it's just the finish (colour/stain/lacquer/whatever) on the veneer that's in bad shape, but the veneer itself is in good shape, you can totally sand it and refinish it. if pieces of the veneer are missing, you might be able to replace them with new pieces of veneer that you can buy. But if the whole veneer is buckling and chipping away and a lot of it is missing, you're probably better off removing the whole thing.

[@annegray6955]

I'm so glad I found you. This method saved me from having a meltdown on my first time removing veneer. Thank you..😁 much love from England 🇬🇧❤

[@davidm2645]

How should I remove veneer from curved pieces? I don't want to damage the shape of the curve nor do I want to sand it. Some of the curves are rather tight. I have used oven cleaner in the past to remove old finish. Would that work for loosening up the glue on the veneer?

[@DedaBr1]

Great tips... any advice about the edges of the top of the working surface?

[@mrknight7957]

Is there a link to the finished piece?

[@Pinterestprov]

This works so well. Thank you so much for this fantastic tip. She is right. If it doesn't come off easily, you did not leave the iron on there long enough. Also be careful with the towel. It gets very hot.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@DreaDoesThings]

This helped me a lot! I’m tackling my first project and I have questions! The two doors. Should I remove that veneer too?

[@ARayofSunlight]

So glad it helped! It depends on why you’re removing the veneer and what you plan to do with your piece. Is the veneer in good condition? If so I would leave it on. Best of luck!

[@MrInsaneykaney]

Hi, would this method work on speaker cabinets where veneer is glued to mdf?

[@kellybaker4168]

Hi! Great idea. I might try a version of this procedure, unless anyone has any ideas on how to delaminate soild core doors? I want the veneer as good as I can keep it. TIA.

[@gamk8348]

Did you let the wet towel sit on the veneer for any length of time before you started with the iron

[@marilynwhite7018]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This method worked perfectly and was so easy !!!

[@gailremp8389]

How did you get the veneer off the side? You didn't cover that or did I miss that

[@TheMMFamily9]

I wonder if a industrial clothing steamer would or could work as well if not better , may try it 😊

[@soul2soulhealingglobal910]

I am going to chalk paint and wax my bannister - part of my bannister is pine and some of it has gloss paint on it that is years old - can you advise what to buy for prepping? Thank you 😊

[@victorioust3174]

Thanks so much your method did really work for me!🤝

[@heatherh3099]

Thank you!! this worked perfectly for me!!

[@AmethystHypnotherapy]

What is that little hand sander your using? It looks perfect for what I need for an antique table I’m taking the veneer off of. Thanks for this video!

[@ARayofSunlight]

It's SurfPrep sander. (affiliate link) (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order): surfprepsanding.com/product/sanding-system-kits/?aff=50

[@yunkie12]

Would a steam iron do the same?

[@SuperJmcintosh]

Great video Natalie!! So satisfying to watch!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thank you SOOO much Jerra!!

[@shanelpaige2152]

New subscriber here! First, thank you for sharing your expertise for free! Secondly, forgive me if my questions sound dumb, but I just started to become interested in restoring old furniture. I'm starting with my own pieces. I want to know what is veneer and in what situations would removing it be the best route to take? Of course if it is chipped or damaged, but is this a must option when restoring furniture. Again, excuse me for my ignorance. I am new to this. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Yay! Welcome to the adventures of playing with old furniture! Haha As for veneer, I only remove it if it’s really damaged. You can repair it if it’s chipped a little (I have a video on that!). You can stain or paint wood veneer so there is no reason to remove it if it’s in good shape.

[@suzannelee4270]

Wow! So awesome!! Can't wait to try this! Have you ever removed veneer from Ikea pieces?

[@ARayofSunlight]

No you cant use this method for ikea furniture, because under the veneer on Ikea furniture is either particle board or MDF. It is not made of real wood at all, and you will have a bigger mess on your hands.

[@VW--mo3zt]

Hi, i need help. Just got a vintage speaker recently. Original owner added a veener on top of the original wood veneer(walnut lacquered) on the side. speakers are tilted slightly so owner added on top 3 peices of wood sides and middle, Added plywood with veener on top so it woud be level. How can i remove veneer and the added layer on top. restore it back to its original form. Thank you

[@msgatorgirl63]

so so happy i found you!just aquired a cedar chest for free, and the veneer is bad!

[@michellecolon1541]

Game changing!!! Thank you!

[@ARayofSunlight]

I'm so glad it helped you!!

[@rikarowland143]

SO helpful!! Thank you! Worked so well!

[@ARayofSunlight]

You're welcome!

[@Grumpyolegrunt]

Hairdryer or heat gun works good also

[@floreverwarsawmagdabankows451]

Thank you for information! Could you pls advise what is the sanding device you are using?

[@ARayofSunlight]

I used SurfPrep sander here. (affiliate link) (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order): surfprepsanding.com/product/sanding-system-kits/?aff=50

[@melissal7984]

Thank you so much! This definitely worked!!

[@markdinmore9766]

Fantastic works a treat thank you

[@thangamajig]

That wood under there looks good, Who needs veneer?

[@lewp4567]

Oh me plss

[@TuliTheUnruly]

Thank you for sharing. 😊 This looks so much safer than using the dodgy heat gun I bought.

[@bucketofsteam9260]

Could you used one of those handheld steam cleaners that people use in car detailing videos or is that not hot enough?

[@ARayofSunlight]

I don’t think it would work, but you could try.

[@mariariggio3859]

Where can I see this dresser makeover? I have the same one and wanted to see what you did with it. Thank you!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Here's our blog post on this dresser makeover! arayofsunlight.com/diy-whitewash-dresser/

[@chantelherrington3520]

Great video!!! What is the name of that small hand held sander that you used on the sides of the dresser?

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thank you! It's a SurfPrep Sander and I absolutely love it. It's an investment though! Here is my review on it - arayofsunlight.com/surfprep-sander-worth-it-honest-review/

[@Haus-of-fluff]

What do you after stripping the veneer? Stain the wood?

[@debbieminkus2566]

Awesome just looking for a way and I found it . To take off veneer ! Great 👍 ideas I subscribed.

[@sarahernandez8766]

‼️❤️AWESOME ❤️‼️ just what I needed to know, thank you so much ‼️

[@ARayofSunlight]

So happy to help!

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

Thid video was helpful. Thank you.

[@jazzysbyjudi4797]

Thanks for the info! But please be aware this method only works on certain kinds of veneer especially depression era pieces. Some pieces have stronger glue and it usually doesn’t work on them. Also you have to be careful not to make the veneer and wood underneath too wet, you can warp the entire top with too much moisture then the heat. I’ve removed lots of veneer and sometimes I try every method out there but end up having to bust out the 60 grit sanding disks and sand it down.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Oh good to know! I guess I haven’t had the luck of removing veneer from those stronger glued pieces yet!

[@suzannelee4270]

Could you use this method for laminate wood as well? As in Ikea furniture?

[@ARayofSunlight]

No you cant use this method for ikea furniture, because under the veneer on Ikea furniture is either particle board or MDF. It is not made of real wood at all, and you will have a bigger mess on your hands.

[@1ronsario]

Thanks for idea, salute to you.

[@leeberardi895]

Hi, do you have to remove the paint, if it's been hand painted first before you continue to remove the veneer? Thank you

[@ARayofSunlight]

Hey! Great question! If you are just wanting to remove the veneer, then you should be able to start removing the veneer without removing all of the old paint. There may be some areas around the edges and seams of the veneer that might benefit from a good sanding to remove the paint from those areas so that the paint doesn’t act like a glue or a seal to keep the veneer from coming off, but overall you should be able to remove the veneer without removing all of the paint. Hope this helps and good luck on your project!

[@justatitle]

Oh ! Wow! Very cool. Thank you

[@jerrydempsey5428]

Looks easy enough. I noticed at first that you doubled the towel before using the hot iron. Was there a reason for that?

[@ARayofSunlight]

Nope, no real reason.

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

Can you give a link or something where you got that little sander with the hose attachments?

[@ARayofSunlight]

It's a SurfPrep electric sander. (affiliate) (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order): surfprepsanding.com/product/sanding-system-kits/?aff=50

[@xstacieme]

How do you do this method on dining chairs and legs?

[@utoonosey7135]

Omg thank you!!! And what kind of sander is that?? I’ve looked and cannot find it. It’s perfect size!

[@ARayofSunlight]

It’s a surfprep sander. You can read more about it and which one I have here: arayofsunlight.com/surfprep-sander I also share about a cheaper alternative there too.

[@tictac7659]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@erikcaldwell2913]

Can this be done on a interior door also?

[@susantomes7348]

This works. THANK YOU!!!!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Great to hear!

[@nicoleelizabeth1775]

I am working outside in Cape Cod MA where it’s currently 40 degrees. Am having a hard time keeping towel warm. Do you suggest bringing the dresser inside to speed up the process? I just went outside and the towel was ice cold and did nothing.

[@ARayofSunlight]

It can be cold. The biggest thing is that it needs to be wet.

[@JoeBauers8]

What kind of sander is that?

[@ARayofSunlight]

It’s a surfprep sander. You can read more about mine here: arayofsunlight.com/surfprep-sander

[@oweeyulo8470]

Hiya, do you reckon it would work with a steamer instead of an iron and damp towel?

[@ARayofSunlight]

I doubt it. It needs the major heat from the iron as well as the steam.

[@julieh1388]

I knew I bought an iron a year ago for a reason - it’s still in the box 😂Going to get it! 🏃🏻‍♀️

[@jilldempsey4389]

This video saved me! Thank you!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Glad it helped!

[@barbverley364]

Very helpful to a novice

[@melbamontoya7781]

How do you remove lacquer from grooves in an old piece of furniture I am trying to get to bare wood? Most is done, but I'm not happy with the dark lined grooves, and the lacquer between the decorative part of the piece. I've tried sanding with the sandder, with my fingers til they had slits, so i stopped til they healed, I've tried nail polish remover, waste of time. Any ideas?

[@toddplager8676]

Fantastic...... no more knuckles busted.. This is getting tried today LOL!! Thanks ... why didn't I think of this LOL!!!

[@rebeccastratton4114]

Thanks you just saved day!

[@kentshrader6616]

Really helpful! Thanks!

[@shannonbaker6316]

Love this!! What type of sander did you use to do the sides?

[@ARayofSunlight]

It’s a surfprep sander. You can read more about mine here: arayofsunlight.com/surfprep-sander

[@janetnichter3477]

This worked like a charm!

[@sarahsampsell4212]

Hi! I have a cedar chest that has a really ugly veneer, like grey/green with black speckles from the 70s or 80s (I used citrus strip to confirm that it was still there). It was painted cream when I was 15. So now I’m trying your iron hack on the base, but as I work on it I’m realizing that the lid for instance is likely particle board with a veneer over it and a cedar veneer on the inside. For the top and sides I’m wondering if all veneers can be sanded to raw wood and stained, or are there some veneers that are actually enamel or like laminate countertop that will never be anything other than hideous dusty green/yellow. Just trying to game plan as I tackle this project that is way above my pay grade.

[@Moo4mtn]

Veneer is a thin layer of wood, so it can't be green speckled. You should probably look up some videos on the differences between veneer, laminate, and solid wood before continuing your project, as it sounds like you are confusing veneer, laminate, and paint or some sort of plastic resin.