Sanding a veneer table top for furniture flipping beginners

Questions relating to Sanding a veneer table top are probably top of the list for those new furniture flippers out there. Hopefully you find this video helpful
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[@gloriafields4328]

Thanks for the video on sanding veneer. I have several pieces in my storage that have veneer tops and I don't want to paint them. I love the look of the wood on top of pieces of furniture. In my opinion, staining holds up better than paint. Thanks for a great instructional video !!

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Totally agree Gloria! I really dont like painting tops at all!

[@refabbedrehab7810]

This video is a prime example of the little pearls of wisdom that you give with your videos!!! Love it. My last piece i sanded through the veneer and had to paint at that point. It turned me off to veneer projects but now i’m not so afraid. Thank you.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

You are so kind Jason!!! Are you going to get a KZbin channel up and running for flipping?? You really should. You're a natural

[@refabbedrehab7810]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane Im afraid i’m not as pretty as you. 😉

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

🤣🤣🤣 hilarious! You're gorgeous!!

[@awells8280]

I would like to point out, in this case the best refinishing approach is to use stripper. After all of that sanding, you have already removed a significant amount of the veneer and the piece still needs final sanding before you apply stain and/or finish. In the example on this video, to get a good final result without a lot of toning and cover up, removing the stain first is essential. I agree with you for sure about using stripper... yuck! I’m simply suggesting using stripper is by far the best way to preserve the veneer and have a great result. I always appreciate everyone’s approach and enjoy seeing tired pieces brought back to life! :) thank you for your videos!

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Agreed :)

[@DOLfirst]

@BJV that's what I'm looking for

[@kaymanuel7256]

Just found you! I'm excited to start doing my coffee table as I love it but it needs new veneer. I have ordered the new veneer but wonder if you can tell me if you'd still strip the old veneer to the chipboard or if you would just fill the cracks on the old veneer, lightly sand and then apply to new veneer? Thanks in advance from Brit in Canada.. you sound like a Brit in Oz 😊

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

True but in the uk we can’t get good stripper anymore. So there’s a delicate balance to juggle.

[@getcreativeinthekitchen]

Complete Newbie here, so glad I found your Chanel, and found an Aussie flipper so I can find all the different products. Thank you x

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Awww thanks very much! Enjoy xx

[@nataliabaez6818]

Thank you. 🎉 This video is what I need it.

[@lynnehadley1151]

Your videos always make me smile

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Aww thanks Lynne xx

[@Lia2222]

New sub....looking for this table's video where you've painted it

[@vanessap8354]

Awesome video. Thanks for showing how to use a sander.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Thank you!

[@Lia2222]

Thank you, just bought one at thrift store and want to refurbish it

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

You're very welcome Lia! Good luck 😘

[@mimigee5631]

Thanks just what I needed to see

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

You're welcome x

[@sandroconeglian9954]

Thank you for the video!

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

You're very welcome Sandro. Thanks so much for watching 😘

[@anncastaneda934]

Learned the hard way about sanding through veneer😖 Was trying to refinish and ended up having to paint. 😬

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Yup, been there, done that!

[@alexandrapatricio2727]

Hello, I find myself in an identical situation and i am going to try to do exactly as you are doing, but what do you mean when you say that the part just under the top is a" piece of crap", can you explain what is it and what would happen if you sanded it too? thank you.

[@psyche7]

Hi Rachelle! Thank you so much for this video. It's fantastic to see theory and action together! I'm wet-behind-the-ears, brand new at furniture restoration. I'm currently working on restoring my great grandmother's dresser. I've been stripping the paint, and have found that the faces of the dresser drawers *only* have veneer--and from what I can tell, the top of the dresser and its sides do *not.* Is that typical, for a furniture piece to be part veneer and part wood surfaces? With that said, will I be able to stain the dresser and its drawers so they look alike (once I've finished stripping everything and sanding the surfaces)? I love the veneer (t's got a lovely marble-y look to it), but it seems unnecessary(?) if it's just not going to match the rest of the dresser. I would love your thoughts if/when you have a moment. Thank you!!

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

That's very typical yes ... it's a way of saving money in the furniture build process but it sooo frustrating for us flippers huh?

[@debirving7718]

Hi loved the video I have a question regarding the esp I recently painted an old style tv unit and thought I would use esp but the tin said to wipe on leave for 5 minutes then wipe off I was waiting for the shine of the timber to dull which didn’t happen so I ended sanding. So my question is after the 90 minutes did you wipe yours off ? Thanks

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Nope I didn't. I wasn't a huge fan of it though to be honest

[@diamondpaws]

I have a cupboard that i have sanded the top down and there was no veneer at all, and the side edges are routed like yours. How do i finish those routed edges off with veneer edging to make it look ok? as you said they look like crap exposed particle board now. I can't believe that was only stain and varnish made to look like wood grain. My plan is to put veneer on the top section as there was no veneer there after all. But can I put veneer edging on the routed curved side edges like yours? can that product be soaked wet and then moulded into place on those edges, or only flat unrouted edges? It says its flexible with self adhesive or will it split? Or would you just re shellac and stain the edge with several layers to hide its ugliness.

[@hplee881]

Thanks

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Very welcome!!

[@Melissa-ud4ln]

Thank you! If my dining table had a glossy finish. Do I need to strip this with stripper first? I too would like to save the veneer as it is very pretty.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

If its a veneer and you want to keep it, the safest way would be to strip it first yes :)

[@douglasjones9847]

I can't find the second video

[@stephaniep7881]

I don't have a sanding machine, but looking to restore a dining table top (i believe it's veneer...) will it take ages (or have other issues) if I just sand with my hands?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

It would take forever, and it would be hard to get an even finish

[@kristinekerr3688]

Thank you. What would you do if the top was laminate?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Honestly, I don't touch laminate. But if I had to, I'd scuff sand it, prime it and paint :)

[@craftyowlcreations3185]

Hi. Is it possible for you to talk more about veneers. This table is obviously veneer and easy to identify but I have had some pieces where I just can't tell definitely that it is or isn't veneer. Not sanded through any veneer yet but I may have not sanded a piece that I could have, hope that makes sense lol.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

A lot of pieces are like that to be honest. I don't let the risk of if being veneer stop me though ... If I think it is I'm just super careful :)

[@susanc1179]

Thank you for this video. If you use a stripper, does that take some of the risk away of breaking through the veneer?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Absolultey it does :)

[@renamcfarland2834]

thanks for the tutorial , I have two end tables that have veneer they are both damaged and need the tops re done. my problem is... there is some bubbling . will sanding remove the bubbling ? Im afraid that sanding will make it chip. thank you

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

No sanding won't remove the bubbling. Are you planning on staining or painting?

[@renamcfarland2834]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane gonna stain, I’m gonna use a syringe filled with wood glue to get under the bubbles and then clamp it , it will be tedious but i think it will look beautiful when Im done .thank you for your reply, I enjoyed your video .

[@rmari-sw4sm]

I have a IKEA Galant desk that has a rough wood veneer top. It's not smooth and feels like rough wood to the touch. Would I have to use a filler on top first and then stain or will I have to sand it smooth? Thanks.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Sounds like it might be a laminate rather than wood veneer?

[@whiteemic]

Hi so how would I know if it’s laminate instead of veneer on my table? I tried sanding and it was different than my past veneer projects. The leaf came up with no design effect underneath and the regular table itself is struggling to give way to a lighter color. I’m almost ready to give up and just paint it but it’s my grandma’s table and I wanted to give it my best try.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Laminate is plastic and won't sand. Probably best to post pics in a Facebook group to get some advice. Good luck! :)

[@whiteemic]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane thank you! Good idea!

[@sharauncovell6105]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane Thank you so much, is there a Facebook group that you would recommend? I joined your Facebook page but don’t see any posts from people asking questions.

[@ursulajackson640]

Where did you buy your sander from? Can you do a bit of real time sanding please, I want to see it in action before I head out and buy one 😊👍🏽

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Sure. I got it from Total Tools

[@ursulajackson640]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane cheers for that 💕😊👍🏽

[@RealMcLovin]

One thing I'm wondering is that I often see people sand the top of a dresser, but not the legs, they just paint the legs. I thought it was because the top would be stained, but sometimes the top is also painted like everything else. So I'm wondering what's the point of sanding the top of a dresser if you're just going to paint over it?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Usually to get a smooth finish :)

[@rt-qe9xw]

I am a complete newbie with wood. I am trying to stain my Billy bookcase from ikea. It says it's birch veneer with a clear lacquer. I was so afraid I would go through veneer during sanding that I think I didn't do it properly. The stain didn't hold at all. The shelf was smooth even after sanding. How do I know how much to sand? 2mins? 20 mins?(For a single shelf). I have absolutely 0 idea. I am doing by hand.120 grit. Also will nail polish remover get rid of the lacquer? (Wanted to get away without buying lacquer thinner)

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Are you sure it's veneer and not laminate?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

I've just checked the website and it says Oak veneer but I really doesn't look like it to me. I'd be surprised if it isn't laminate. Feel free to head over to our Lanies FB group and ask there facebook.com/groups/2814245925504490/?ref=share

[@rt-qe9xw]

@@CraftedbyMonnowLane thanks. Will do.

[@meganhamrick4861]

Do you have to paint or can you put a stain on it and a clear coat?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

I just stain and top coat the table top.

[@melymel3312]

After sanding off can I then stain the way I would normally do for wood?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Yup. There is a follow up video showing the transformation :)

[@yentldonn6761]

Where’s the follow up video please? :)

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

I'll grab the link :)

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5qslJSGebydeqM

[@suemoore9276]

When you do a smooth sand, what grain of sandpaper do you use? 😊

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

240 :)

[@danicauzelac4688]

120 or 240

[@melysanchez9666]

Where is the 2nd part?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Sorry only just saw this comment. Hopefully you found it :)

[@michaelscarpetti6707]

So why not use a stripper first? Because the veneer is too thin? I’ve seen people use stripper first and then sand

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Yes you could absolutely do that ... I'm not a fan of using stripper but that is defintely a good option

[@Gigi-li2mn]

Is the veneer coming off?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Nope ... thankfully:)

[@bonnysmith4908]

How long did it take to sand the whole top?

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

It really doesn't take too long. Maybe 20 minutes?

[@bonnysmith4908]

Oh gosh that isn't bad at all. Stripper takes longer than that and make a chemical mess.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Exactly!

[@david_dor]

"That around there will be a piece of crap" Lol.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Nothing like a good piece of constructive criticism. You made me day 🤣🤣🤣

[@tonynewman777]

I have one just like it that when my cousins lived with my grandparents they ruined it it's in the brooder room for chickens I did cover it so it wouldn't scratch it any worse they ruined the top so I guess that needs replaced what a crying shame Ethan Allen is supposed to be the best shame on them. I just picked up another orphan chest drawers it's got some scratches hope they come out on the top... what do you do when the side of that veneer is already scratched sand it flat and then put a curved piece on it maybe???

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

If the veneer is already ruined and I was flipping to sell it, I'd fill and paint rather than have the veneer exposed.

[@awells8280]

With veneer you should use a stripper. Too much sanding on veneer is not a good idea. 😳

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

You can use a stripper yes :)

[@danicauzelac4688]

Lady 120 or 240

[@momoismywife5713]

i cant tell u how happy i am to FINALLY see a female face here :)

[@DennisKenneybees]

Bad video. Never use a power sander when sanding veneers. She says you have to be careful. That should tell you that she is advising you to do something that can ruin our project. So don't take the chance. I'm at 2:33 and I'm out of here with a thumbs down.

[@CraftedbyMonnowLane]

Who's SHE? Would that be ME? Valid point made with a very negative tone. Enjoy your beautiful day :)