This dresser came to us as a client-owned piece from American of Martinsville, a renowned name in mid-century furniture. While its quality construction, its bleached veneer presented a significant challenge when it came to refinishing. The result sparked some debate in the comments because of how the stain turned out—showing just how tricky it can be to work with non-stain grade veneers. The Hurdle If you’ve ever tried to work with mid-century bleached veneers, you know they can be a challenge. These veneers were manufactured with a unique process where the wood was chemically treated or lightly painted to create a specific look—often with a faux wood grain or lighter color. This treatment, combined with the nature of the wood itself, makes it nearly impossible to absorb stain evenly after stripping. To tackle this, I started by applying a chemical stripper to remove the existing finish. From there, I applied a base stain, sealed it with a topcoat, and layered water-based stain as a toner to even out the color. I even used touch-up products to refine areas that needed extra care. Each step was about balancing the wood’s natural look with a finish that would last. Why This Matters Understanding the difference between stain-grade and non-stain-grade veneers is key for projects like this. Veneers like this were never designed to showcase natural wood grain like walnut, cherry, or oak. Instead, they have a smoother, more uniform look that was popular in their time. While they can’t achieve the depth or dramatic character of high-grade veneers, they still offer a clean and classic finish when refinished correctly. It’s about working with the veneer’s unique properties to bring out its best, not trying to make it something it’s not.
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