How to Fill Holes in Veneer

If you have a favorite piece of furniture with damaged veneer that has one or more holes in it, don’t throw it away. It may be easier to repair than you expect, especially if you have the missing pieces of veneer. Veneered wood furniture, which features a thin layer of high-quality wood glued to plywood, is prone to damage from sharp objects. If your veneered furniture is a valuable antique, take it to a professional furniture restorer.

Missing piece of veneer from hole
Fine-grit sandpaper
Matching stain
Wood glue
Small wood clamps
Single-edge razor blade
Stain to match wood

Instructions

Reuse a Piece of Veneer
- 1
  Sand or scrape the back of the piece of veneer from the hole to remove old glue and embedded dirt.
- 2
  Stain the veneer piece to match the furniture, if necessary.
- 3
  Apply a thin coat of wood glue to the back of the piece. Push the piece of veneer in place and allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.
- 4
  Sand the area carefully with the fine sandpaper. Apply additional stain if required.
Transplant a Piece of Veneer
- 5
  Cut a veneer piece from a section of the furniture that is not visible with a razor blade, like the inside of a leg, cutting the piece slightly larger than the hole.
- 6
  Carefully trim the veneer piece to the size and shape of the hole.
- 7
  Sand the back of the piece and apply a coat of wood glue. Push the piece in place and allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.
- 8
  Sand the area carefully with the fine sandpaper. Apply additional stain if required.

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How to Fill Holes in Veneer

Instructions

Reuse a Piece of Veneer

Transplant a Piece of Veneer