How to Remove Old Veneer and Use Wallpaper to Hide Flaws

Pamela Field
by Pamela Field
This chest had been left outside for some time and the veneer was peeling off and the top was bowed from being wet.
I removed what I could, and put a dripping wet towel and left it over night. Also used a board and clamped both sides to straighten out the bowed top while it was wet and drying.
The veneer pulled up and was easily removed.
remove the veneer and patch with wood filler
damage to the veneer was also on the sides. I patched, and added a trim board across the bottom to hide the missing veneer
patch and add trim to cover missing veneer
I sanded the top, and added paintable wallpaper to the drawer fronts to add texture and hide the condition issues.
paintable wallpaper added to drawer fronts
painted all of it with Metallic pewter paint
I used a gray base coat to save on the pricey metallic paint. I used a roller and rolled a lighter silver paint over the top of the texture to highlight.
black glaze was added to also highlight the texture on the drawers and add depth to the metallic pewter finish.
Added wallpaper to the drawer bottoms and painted the interior too.
Finished off with a topcoat of polyurethane for durability.
This chest had great bones.
Yes, it can be saved and loved again!
Frequently asked questions
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  • Valerie Horowitz Valerie Horowitz on Jul 20, 2020

    I'd like to try this on the base of a china hutch. I love the pewter color! How did you figure out what textured wallpaper could be painted?

  • Enedelia Enedelia on Aug 04, 2020

    Oooh My Good exelent !

  • Angelaj7765 Angelaj7765 on Sep 25, 2020

    Wow you did a beautiful job , what was the purpose of using the wet towel ?

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  • Erica Smith Erica Smith on Sep 19, 2020

    Oooh goodness the dresser turned out beautifully!! Love the depth with the black glaze!! TFS!!! Perfect for my preteens "Paris" frenzie she wants for her room. Lol

  • Marcie Marcie on Nov 16, 2023

    Oh my! You took time to do the insides of the drawers too. Absolutely beautiful work! Thank you for sharing!

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