Paint or Gel Stain?

I would try just lightly sanding the water marks on top, add a bit of wood conditioner, and stain it dark. Then I would prime the lower part and paint it, you could then distress with a bit of sanding on the edges of the relief areas.

I feel your pain about the veneer! I've restored a bench similar to yours that was veneer in even worse shape; I used Behr semi-transparent deck stain (from Home Depot) and it came out amazing! It has pigment in it that actually mimics wood lines as you brush, so it covers the bad spots but still is a little see-thru so you don't completely cover the wood grain. I used the "coffee" color and it was pretty close to your inspiration photo.

Old Masters gel stain has worked for me on laminate and veneer. I just clean it up with steel wool and deglosser/liquid sandpaper and then wipe off the residue with an old damp towel, and let it dry well. I rub the gel stain on evenly with an old sock over plastic gloves. If you are worried, try it on the inside of the cabinet until you get the hang of it. You may need to put a protective poly top coat on it.

Chalk paint to the rescue. Can go on any surface without prep. Then put the wax on top to give it a shine.

I agree with Beth, Chalk paint is amazing in these cases- I can't wait to see how it comes out. We're rooting for you!!

You ladies are awesome! Thanks so much! One more question for you...I have had trouble with bleed through before. In the past I have used the paint on primer to cover dark wood then I painted it with white latex paint, only to have the dark wood show through the paint in spots...made it a yellowish color too. What primer do you suggest to use to really really seal it up? I don't ever want that to happen again.

Thanks again!

Susan

I have a desk that the veneer on the sides has come off. I appreciate that this question was asked and received some good ideas about what to do with it. Thanks!

are you sure it's particle board? I can't tell in the photos. my easiest way to determine particle board is flipping the furniture piece upside down and looking at the bottom.

ive had pieces with peeling veneer with the wood underneath being beautiful is why I'm asking if your positive it's particle board.

Good luck!

Have you ever tried the rust oleum glaze? I absolutely love the java and use it a lot on particle wood , real wood and old fencing. I don't wipe it off I just keep adding more coats. Maybe consider a cream chalk paint or even make your own. Chalk paint covers everything. It's awesome

The saga goes on. I primed the console with possibly the worst primer I have ever used before. It said it would cover everything I needed it to and after two coats there was bleed through. Also, it was very watery. I initially bought Furniture Paint from Lowes for all around the console. I put two coats on the area that there was bleed through and could still see it. In addition, the paint said it would not give me brush strokes and of course it did. It goes back to Lowes today and I might use Milk Paint that I found at a little shop near my town. I'm thinking a light green color would look nice with the Java Gel top. That same shop sells Java Gel too so I put that down on the top of the console and it looks fantastic!

This project might take a little longer than I anticipated. While I was trying to lay down primer yesterday, I rested my hand on the inside of the my 1960's record player console and it fell through to the bottom. Yes, the bottom dropped out! Along with that was the radio and the 8 track tape player that was attached to it. Good times. So now I am forced to get the husband involved to basically manufacture a new bottom for those three things to fit into. Kinda wanted to keep him out of this, but I'm not great at woodworking and he is so.. My goal for today is to get his butt moving to work on the new bottom and for me to paint the console. Does Milk Paint require two coats over white primer?