Instructions to Refinish Wooden Veneer Cabinets

Don a long-sleeve shirt, safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves and a respirator. The chemicals used in refinishing can irritate skin and eyes and produce unpleasant fumes.

Apply a coat of thick-paste finish remover using a natural-bristle paintbrush. Work in the same direction as the grain, but don't overwork the finish remover. Too many brush stokes will reduce the effectiveness of the chemical. Allow the remover to work into the finish, waiting as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.

Scrape off the bubbled-up old finish with a 3-inch putty knife. Be very careful not to penetrate the surface of the veneer, working only to remove the finish. Clean the putty knife frequently by wiping it on old newspapers. Not all of the finish will be removed in this initial step. Wood grain in the veneer may still hold on to some of the old stain and finish.

Work a liquid stripper onto the surface with #0000 steel wool. The stripper will help take off some of the old finish left behind from the previous step while the steel wool will help lightly flake away some of the old stain. Don't rub too hard -- remember that veneer is a thin layer.

Remove the waxy buildup often left behind from liquid strippers by wiping lacquer thinner onto the cabinet surface with #0000 steel wool.

Allow the wood surface to dry, then wrap a sheet of 220-grit sandpaper around a block of wood and lightly sand the veneer to smooth it. Power sanders can quickly score the veneer, damaging the cabinet. A hand sanding gives more control over the process, and the block of wood saves wear and tear on your fingers.

Vacuum the surface, then follow this up with a good wiping using a tack cloth to remove all the sanding debris.

Apply a coat of stain in the color of your choice, following the manufacturer's instructions. Often, a second coat may be applied to darken the first coat as it is absorbed by the wood. Let the cabinet dry for at least 24 hours before finishing.

Wipe the cabinet down with another tack cloth to remove dust that may have settled on it. Brush on a coat of polyurethane finish to protect the veneer and stain. Apply up to three coats of polyurethane, lightly sanding with #0000 steel wool and cleaning with a tack cloth between coats.