How can I refinish ruined veneer on my end tables?

Goldie

I wouldn't paint over or decoupage over it until I tried to repair it first. It will have uneven places, dips, etc in it. Here are a couple ideas that may help you - you could try chalk paint for the tops as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXsbe_str98

https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Veneer

Sometimes very lightly sanding might work with veneer - light touch-with the careful cautious use the sander. Otherwise my inclination would be to use paint, decoupage can be kind of lumpy for a smooth surface that you might require on a table top. Decoupage is commonly a decorative finish seen on the front face of chests and drawers.

It could be worth trying the sanding, since your other options would be covering the sanded work you would do. Hope this helps.

If the vener is chipped and cracked, I'd remove it completely and then paint the wood underneath.

Hi Goldie, sorry your table you love has veneer problems. Hope this helps you. Good luck with your project. sawmillcreek.org › showthread › 110574-Possible-to-restore-veneer-t...

Possible to restore veneer table top??? - Sawmill Creek

Apr 23, 2009 - ... ugly wear in the veneer in places, nothing totally destroyed by no means, ... If this is one of those table tops with veneer the thickness of a whisper, I'd ... with a "full thickness" veneer, there is no reason you could not refinish it. ... I would never use shellac to finish any table or anything else for that matter.

I would definitely try to remove the veneer by chipping away or you can use a sander and go through the layers of veneer and glue. You'll be surprised what is actually underneath that can actually be stained or painted.