How to Install Wood Veneer Edging

Sand the exposed edges of the shelf or furniture with 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Wipe the edge with a tack rag to clean up sanding dust.

Inspect the edge of the shelf or furniture for holes or gouges. Press wood putty or two-part epoxy putty into any holes or gouges with a putty knife, filling them slightly higher than the surface of the edge. Let the wood or epoxy putty set for one to two hours. Sand the edge and the repair with 220-grit sandpaper to level the repair.

Wipe the edge with a tack rag to remove wood bits and sanding dust.

Set a household iron to its hottest setting.

Measure the edge that requires wood veneer with a tape measure. Note the measurement.

Cut a piece of self-adhesive, wood veneer edging to a length 1 inch longer than the measurement with a utility knife.

Put on heat-resistant gloves.

Align the edging to the edge of the shelf or furniture and hold it in place with your fingers. Begin at a corner of the furniture or shelf.

Place the iron onto the edging and move it back and forth over a 2- to 3-inch section to activate the adhesive. Move the iron over the edging and down the length of the edge, working in 2- to 3-inch sections at a time. Keep the iron moving over each 2- to 3-inch section for eight to 10 seconds.

Continue moving the iron over the edging while keeping it aligned with the furniture or shelf edge.

Rub a gloved hand over the edging while pressing down on it to remove air bubbles and gain good adhesion. Repeat for each shelf or furniture edge.