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Clean, Dry, Repair and Disinfect Veneer Furniture

By Leo Nov
Published: April 10, 2006

Veneered furniture may not be worth the cost and effort of repair unless it is very valuable to you. If you do choose to try and salvage your veneer furniture, you will have to do that fast and minimize the time that these items are left in a wet or damp area.

Veneered furniture usually has a core material that is plywood, particleboard, or medium density fiberboard. When wet or damp, particleboard and fiber cores tend to swell fast and veneered ridges come apart, making it very hard to dry and salvage.

If a veneered piece of furniture was submerged in water for more than 24 hours and the particleboard underneath is swollen, the damage will most likely be permanent.

Hire a Professional

If veneer is loose in only a few places, you may be able to repair and restore it to its pre-los condition. However, veneered furniture repairs are usually best done by a professional who has the appropriate knowledge, experience, and equipment.

Salvaging Veneer Furniture

Depending on the extent of the damage caused to the item, there are few different techniques that can be utilized to repair the item.

If the veneer is a little loose in just a few places, clean both sides, wet, and press veneer to re-flatten. It is recommended to flatten the veneer for several hours and even overnight to assure it is completely flattened. Only when flattened, it can be re-glued.

For best results, use a flat board the same size as the veneer to clamp it down and use sufficient glue to form a good bond. Be sure to be precise when pressing and gluing to make sure that the veneer does not shift when pressed and glued.

Mixed Materials

If there are iron or steel fittings which may rust quickly it is necessary to dry out these materials fast prevent staining and additional damage. This task will require specialist conservation advice.

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