Staining a veneer sheet to blend the heartwood and sapwood. Selective staining of a veneer sheet. Using Oil Based Stains On Wood Veneers.

Q.  I'm refinishing and re veneering a table.  I plan to stain my veneer sheet with an oil based stain. Will the contrast of the heart and sapwood  be blended out or reduced?  That would be my preference, if not, can I accomplish that with selective staining.

A. I would not try to do selective staining of your veneer.  It would be too difficult to get the results you want, in my opinion. On the other hand, if you are extremely detail oriented and perfectionistic with your technique, it might work out. For myself, I would not try this.

I do think that the stain will help to give a more uniform hue throughout the surface, but it won't be a "perfect" solution. Furniture manufacturers stain their wooden surfaces as a matter of normal processes, so that they can offer a more uniform tone/color throughout their entire furniture line.

Re: Using oil based stains on wood veneer sheets ---  Be aware that if you use contact cement to glue the veneer down, most oil based stains can attack the contact cement.  This could affect the bond of the contact cement.  This is a consideration if you glue down a paper backed veneer with contact cement, as the stain can seep through the paper backer and attack the contact cement.  If you are using wood backed veneers, the stain cannot seep through, and there is no problem.

If you use a PSA peel and stick veneer, most all stains and finishes have no effect on the PSA glue bond, even if you use a paper backed PSA veneer sheet.

Regards,

Bob Morgan, pres.

Veneer Factory Outlet.com

Wood Veneer Factory Outlet.com